Episode 11 – a non-judgemental group of people – NB012 - a podcast by Karen Parry outdoor swimming

This week’s podcast guest Nikki describes wild swimmers as a non-judgemental group of people, who all have their own reason for swimming.

I really hope she is right. Next week I’m meeting up with four of them in the Lake District, with my newly rescued greyhound. He farts when he stretches. He also wakes up anytime between 3.20am and 4.45am and cries his heart out just because he’s lonely. He licks unmentionably filthy things when he is out, then tries to lick your face when he gets in.

I really hope they can extend their non-judgementalness to him. Or it’s going to be a long week for all of us in a small caravan.

In wild swimming, being non-judgemental prevents any barriers between those in neoprene and skins, the fast, driven folk and the dippers. It makes us blind to size and shape, and turns on its head expectations of what an athlete might look like.

Nikki and I talk about the non-competitive edge we share. How it makes us nicer people! She also shares that wild swimming was a way back from the grief of losing her brother. No judgement. No questions. Just an acceptance, and an awareness of the ways in which the cold water can help with the stuff life throws at us. Cake, coffee and chat also seem to be part of the cure.





Here’s to hanging out with non-judgemental folk, and welcoming imperfect dogs into the pod.



Things we talk about

Big Bala Swim & Big Welsh Swim medals, Mad Hatters, Cornwall, St Austell, Clevedon Pier, Fausto Bathing Club, Swim Trek, Forty Foot, Dublin, Turkey to Greece Swim, Polkerris swim festival, the Vico, Dublin, Brockwell lido, Bude sea pool, Chester Frosties, Tinside lido, Charlestown to Porthpean, Dry Robe, Swell by Jenny Landreth, The Lido by Libby Page, Maldives

Further episodes of Swim Wild Podcast

Further podcasts by Karen Parry outdoor swimming

Website of Karen Parry outdoor swimming