Wild Swimming

Written By Flipside Creative

Getting started with open water swimming within BC.

Wild swimming is described as liberating, soothing, cleansing, and meditative; it is no surprise that this activity has grown in popularity amidst this pandemic when British Columbians were looking closer to home to try out new activities. 

Being amongst nature and submerging into cold waters has become more appealing due to the physical and mental benefits. Rich in lakes, rivers and beaches, British Columbia has many excellent swimming spots. 

why wild swimming?

So, why are people becoming increasingly drawn to wild swimming and taking on those chilly plunges? 

Wild swimming has become a popular activity of choice due to the ongoing research that has found various benefits for people’s physical and mental wellbeing. It’s an activity that attracts people of all ages as swimming provides a great exercise outlet without putting extra stress on joints that you may get with activities on land.

Here are a few of the physical and mental benefits:

  • Boosts your immune system.

  • Less muscle soreness and improves muscle recovery.

  • Cold adaptation- brings down blood pressure, cholesterol, and reduces fat disposition.

  • Boosts your brain power.

  • Good for skin and hair.

  • Manage anxiety, depression, and stress.

  • Increase alertness.

  • Release endorphins (happy hormones).

  • Reconnecting with nature.

Tips for Getting Started

It’s essential when you are just starting to pay attention to the temperature of the water and take things slowly. Ease yourself into the water to avoid cold water shock, and don’t stay in for too long. Ensure you know how to exit the water as you need to consider tides, winds, and currents. 

Here are a few essential tips you will need to keep in mind as you enter the blue world, including gear, training and safety. 

Essential Gear

  • Thick bright coloured swim cap

  • Swimsuit

  • Wetsuit

  • Earplugs

  • Goggles

  • Inflatable tow floats can be attached around the waist so it’s visible to boats and other swimmers

  • Cozy towel and warm clothes for post-swim

Training Tips

  • Before swimming in the wild, build up your endurance in a pool environment.

  • Practice alternative breathing and holding your breath to reduce panic when you’re in the ocean.

  • Practice turning without a wall – tumble turns before the wall so you can get used to changing direction in the open water.

  • Practice by ditching your goggles in the pool; it can be difficult to see in open water swimming, even with goggles. It helps to reduce the chances of panic even if your sight becomes impaired.

  • Practice sighting- in the pool, you have flags that indicate approaching the wall, but in the open water, you’ll need to learn how to search for landmarks and be aware of your surroundings.

  • Learn how to relax by practicing cold water submersions in a controlled environment; this will help your body prepare and learn to adapt to cold water.

Safety Knowledge

  • Know the risk of hypothermia.

  • Be aware of rips, currents, tides.

  • Be aware of local wildlife, jellyfish, algae, etc.

  • Go with at least one other swim buddy.

  • Take a whistle in case of an emergency

  • Take an inflatable tow float. It helps other boaters and swimmers spot you in the water.

  • Know where you’re swimming and go to places that are more swimmer-friendly.

There are many open water or wild swimming clubs within BC, or many take upon themselves to form their own open water swimming groups. It brings together a sense of community and wellbeing.

Best spots in British columbia to swim

There are several wild swimming spots within BC to explore. Here are a few of the top places that require a dip. 

  • Cultus Lake (Fraser Valley) – has sandy beaches and clean, fresh water swimming.

  • Okanagan Lake (Kelowna) – a large lake, offers both motor access and swimming-only areas.

  • Kootenay Lake (near Nelson) – located in southeast British Columbia, is glacier-fed, so it will be a colder lake.

  • Cordova Bay Beach (Victoria) – has several access points for swimmers, an excellent stretch for ocean swimming.

  • Kitsilano to Wreck Beach (Vancouver) – lots of opportunities for open water swimming in the Pacific.

  • Lost Lake (Whistler) – it’s a small lake but a warmer choice for swimmers, a great option if you want to wild swim in a smaller and more enclosed area.

  • Harrison Lake (north of Chilliwack) – located near Agassiz, Harrison Lake is a great spot with campsites, hiking and horseback riding. The lake is also excellent for swimming.

  • Windermere Lake (Invermere) – one of the largest (18 km in length) and warmest lakes in the Kootenay region with awesome views of the Rocky Mountains.

  • Shuswap Lake (Salmon arm) – very clear water, beautiful lake to swim in.

  • Christina Lake (near Grand Forks) – is a beautiful lake to visit and swim in; it is next to Christina Lake Provincial Park.

As you can see, there are loads of benefits and places to explore via wild swimming. It’s an excellent way to completely immerse yourself in nature,  disconnect from technology and feel present in the moment. 

Be sure to read through the water safety guidance from Adventure Smart so you are prepared for your water adventures. 

resources:

References:

DH Vancouver Staff. (2021, July 5). Here are the 10 best swimming spots in BC ranked. Daily Hive. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/best-swimming-spots-bc.


Shepert, E. (2021, July 6). Ready for a dip? Here are the top 10 swimming spots in B.C. Vancouver is Awesome. https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/bc-news/ready-for-a-dip-here-are-the-top-10-swimming-spots-in-bc-3935540.

Flipside Creative
Previous

BC’s Most Endangered Rivers: 2021/22 Urban Streams Edition
Next

Mushroom Foraging