That hit of cold water is amazing – RAD028 - a podcast by Karen Parry outdoor swimming

Sometimes the impetus to start wild swimming comes to us gradually, over a number of years. Like an intermittently dripping tap distracting us until we can’t ignore it any longer. Turn the tap the wrong way – by deciding to just have a dip, to give it a try, and many of us find that we cannot turn it off again. It becomes as essential to us as breathing.



This seems to be how it happened for Rachel, this week’s podcast guest. From seeing a man outdoor just in a speedo when it was minus twenty-something in Sweden, to seeing a group of women having a sunrise swim in Finland, Rachel can track the history of her passion for winter swimming.



A lot of this is inextricably connected to place.



Listen to her talk about the misty lake, one early morning, when she swam alone. All her senses switched on. More alive than she had ever felt.



Listen to her talk about the ice hole, hear Abisko, in the arctic circle. The hit of cold water – to be embraced and savoured not feared or faffed around. This is the ‘life bit’ she explains.



This is another fascinating story. One of wild swimming helping someone to find their place in a wild landscape surrounded by winter adventurers.



Unsurprisingly, Rachel has emerged from her first year of outdoor swimming with a very different view of herself and what she is capable of.



Things we talked about



Swimming in Finland, Abisko/Tornetrask lake, Lewis Pugh (South African polar swimmer), Wim Hof method, St Andrews tidal pool, the Russians’ episode, aurora, Dry Robe, Catrigg Foss

Further episodes of Swim Wild Podcast

Further podcasts by Karen Parry outdoor swimming

Website of Karen Parry outdoor swimming