For as long as I can remember, being active in nature has been my way of finding balance. I used to be a runner, weaving through trails and soaking in the connection they gave me to the world around me. Those runs weren’t just exercise; they were my escape, my headspace, and my way to regain sanity after a hard day.
But life threw me a curveball. After an accident that left me with a back injury, my spinal surgeon told me I couldn’t run anymore. Those words hit me harder than I could have imagined. Running had been such a central part of my life, and without it, I felt a deep void. I spiralled into a difficult place, struggling to find a way forward.
During that time, I found myself drawn to the River Thames near where we lived. It started with walks along its edge, letting the sound and presence of the water soothe me. Then one day, I had this growing desire to step into it, to become a part of the water I felt so connected to. I knew that open water swimming wasn’t just good for mental health - it could also help with pain management. With my pain medication giving me brain fog and stomach aches, I knew I had to try something different.
My first swim was with a cold water swimming instructor on a bright but bitterly cold February morning. The lake’s temperature was just 2 degrees, and at first, the cold was searing - it felt almost unbearable. But then something shifted. As I got used to the water, the pain turned to euphoria. I felt a clarity I hadn’t had in months, maybe even years. Moving through the water was effortless - freeing. I laughed out loud from the pure joy of doing something I never thought I could, something a little bit crazy!
From there, my journey into wild swimming truly began. I discovered a group of women in our RAF community who swam in the Thames once or twice a week, and I joined them. Those swims became addictive - not just because of how the water healed me, but because of the incredible friendships that came with it. We’d share cake, hot chocolate, and laughter as we warmed up after a dip. It wasn’t just about swimming; it was about connection.
When my husband was nearing the end of his career in the RAF, we began looking for our “forever home.” We always imagined we’d end up somewhere surrounded by hills and trees, but something about a coastal house pulled at us. We couldn’t shake the feeling we were meant to be by the sea - and now we are!
Living on the South Wales coast has transformed my relationship with water. I’ve joined the local Bluetits group a few times, and one of my most memorable swims was an evening, full moon dip. The tide was high, the waves were wild, and the beach felt like a festival, with campfires, singing, and so much laughter. I didn’t know anyone yet, we’d only just moved - but I was immediately welcomed. Running into the sea and letting the waves knock me over brought back the pure, childlike joy of jumping waves as a kid. It’s a feeling I’ll never forget.
These days, the sea is an integral part of my life, and my family now shares my love for wild swimming - some of our happiest moments are spent loading up a cart with towels, food, and bodyboards, and heading down to the beach together. Watching my children come alive in the water, their laughter echoing over the waves, fills my heart. My husband, Glenn, and I often sneak off to find new swimming spots, cherishing those stolen moments of adventure.
Even when I’m not swimming, I find peace by the sea. A blustery walk along the beach, the feel of the water under my (always!) bare feet, the sound of crashing waves - it all grounds me, calms me, and reminds me how connected I feel to the water.
Wild swimming has been life-changing for me. It’s given me clarity, helped me manage pain, and reignited a sense of adventure I thought I’d lost. It’s led me to lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and a deeper connection with my family. To anyone thinking about trying it, my advice is simple: do it. Yes, it’s cold, and yes, it takes courage to take that first plunge - but what the water gives you in return is worth it a hundred times over.
Until the next tide... love Claire 💙🌊
Do you have a story about the healing power of wild waters? Share it with us in the comments - we would love to hear it!
The Wild Water's Embrace
In the cold water’s kiss, clarity unfolds, where fears drift away and courage takes hold.
The tides hum a song, ancient and wise, healing the soul beneath vast open skies.
Each ripple a story, each wave a new start, restoring the spirit, mending the heart.
From laughter in currents to walks by the shore, the wild water calls, and I answer once more.
Through storms and serenity, it whispers my name, a source of adventure, a life-changing flame.
Forever I’ll treasure its grounding embrace, the wild water’s magic, my healing place.
