a chilly water swim

Coming from New Zealand, I am used to swimming in the sea and in warm temperatures. Cold, lake swimming just isn't really my thing...

However there I was at 2pm on a Saturday as part of a four-person relay, swimming a length (30 metres) in Lake Windermere in 4.6 degrees water - with no wetsuit! And it was brill! Some of the swimmers were serious competitors, others definitely were there for the fun of it - as this group captures - men and women in all-in-one bathing suits with fur hats.

Cold water swimming is apparently very good for you - I certainly felt great after but it was the fun and sense of achievement that really ramped up the feel good factor.

I say to all - give it a try at the Chill Swim!