Where and when do we swim/dip?
We swim every Monday at 7pm at the 40ft/Sandycove. Once a month we will be swimming in different beaches around Dublin and Wicklow. Make sure to join our Whattsap to hear about adhoc swims through the week as well.
What happens at the swims
Upon greeting each other, participants typically prepare to enter the water, often accompanied by a symphony of cursing and exclamations as they brave the cold. This shared experience of confronting the cold fosters a collective presence in the moment, allowing anxieties to fade away. Surprisingly, immersing oneself in the Irish Sea alongside others diminishes individual concerns, replaced instead by a common focus on managing your breath and adapting to the temperature. Engaging in conversation with strangers becomes effortless, with discussions ranging from the mundane to the comically cold. Each week brings new faces and the opportunity to form meaningful connections. There's no pressure to compete; safety always comes first, as emphasised in our pre-dip guidelines below. Participants are encouraged to express themselves openly during the swim, even if the biting cold momentarily scrambles their brain. Over time, friendships grow amidst the shared challenge. And to mark the occasion, a group photo is often snapped, serving as a memento of our shared experiences for Instagram.
Benefits of cold water swimming
The health benefits of cold water swimming have long been suspected, from Victorians gathering in their bathing machines to the lido boom of the early twentieth century. Now science is starting to back up the anecdotal evidence with studies that suggest that there are lasting positive effects of a bracing outdoor dip.
Studies are still in the early stages and we are only just starting to understand how cold water immersion affects the human body.
An Increased Tolerance to Stress
Submerging yourself in cold water is not everyone's cup of tea. The temperature of the water creates a stress reaction in the body, the same kind of reaction we experience if we find ourselves in a scary or tense situation. The body releases the stress hormone cortisol and breathing frequency and heart rate increases. The body’s fight or flight mechanism kicks in, explaining why the natural reaction to getting into cold water is to want to get out as fast as possible. As anyone who has braved an icy dip will know, the stress reaction recedes as you adjust to the temperature. There is now evidence to suggest that repeatedly putting your body through cold water immersion gradually reduces the severity of the initial stress reaction. It may not be that cold water swimmers become acclimatised to the water, they just get used to their body’s reaction and the reaction itself becomes less severe. The real magic is that the reduction in the stress response applies in other stressful situations, not just on exposure to cold water. Your reaction to other stressful events - taking an exam, bungee jumping - is also reduced.
A Boost to Self Esteem
The process of forcing yourself to stay in cold water could be increasing your mental strength. Getting out of your comfort zone builds confidence and courage as well as giving you a sense of accomplishment. By becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable you increase your resilience in other areas of life.
Swimming as a Mindfulness Exercise
When you immerse yourself in cold water you are sending your nervous system into overload. Nerve endings transmit responses to your brain, telling you just how cold parts of your body are.
Your brain only has limited bandwidth and with the intense sensation of the water to focus on there is no space left for your brain to go over your to-do list or worry about anything other than the cold. This focus on the present moment has much in common with mindfulness exercises and offers a welcome time out from the constant churning of our everyday thoughts. After all, when you are in the Irish Sea its hard to think of anything else apart from ‘I’m in the Irish Sea’.
Decreased Inflammation
Ice baths are used by elite athletes all over the world to aid post performance recovery. The science is simple, your body reacts to the cold temperatures by directing blood away from your extremities to protect the organs in your core.
The low blood flow to your limbs decreases inflammation and allows muscles to recover much quicker. A bracing dip can give you all the benefits of an ice bath.
Increased Immunity
The science isn't conclusive on this one but many swimmers report fewer coughs and colds than their non-swimming friends, and there is a theory to back it up. The stress reaction caused by cold water immersion is suspected to trigger an increase in white blood cell production, providing a natural boost to your immune system.
When you add together the physical and mental benefits of swimming then it is certainly plausible that there is a positive impact on the immune system.
Radiant Skin
Swimming in open water - especially sea water - may have beneficial effects on your skin. Salt water is awash with magnesium, calcium and potassium which is all good news for the skin. Sea water is also a mild antiseptic and may encourage damaged skin to heal.
Post Swim High
The fabled after swim high is a real thing, as the mix of exercise and cold water exposure triggers a release of dopamine, the body's feel good hormone. If you swim with a buddy or in a group the chance to share and compare your experience with like-minded people intensifies the experience.
The water may be chilly but there are plenty of reasons why pushing through your resistance and persisting with cold water swimming is a great thing to do for your health and well being. Feeling ready to experience the incredible benefits of cold water swimming for yourself? Come join us for a dip and see for yourself how good you will feel.
Source: swimsecure.co.uk website
What to bring to the swims
Swimwear: Wear whatever makes you comfortable, like swim shorts or trunks.
A towel to dry yourself and a robe to stay warm after the swim
Something to stand on while getting changed (an old bath mat/material place mat will do)
(Optional)
Rashvest
Wetsuit
Thick swimming cap
Swimming gloves
Water shoes
Hot water bottle
Hot drink that warms you from the inside after your dip
Hat and gloves to keep head and hands warm post dip
Whatever works for you. No macho crap here. Be warned if ya bring cake it wont last very long!
SWIM RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Blueballs Ireland are not able to assume any legal responsibility to its members or others. while we are always keen to share our passion for outdoor swimming, all swimmers must be solely responsible for making their assessment as to the risks involved in any particular swim. Blueballs Ireland has no control or influence over those who arrange "social swims", or the locations written about or featured in the WhatsApp group or social media. The decision to participate, in any swim must, therefore, be taken individually, and swimmers must not rely (in whole or in part) on views or information provided by admins or members. If you are in any doubt about the safety of a swim or your ability to complete it, you should not take part.
Swimming outdoors heightens the risk of severe injury or harm. The dangers of outdoor swimming include (but are not limited to) hypothermia, drowning, cold water shock, sickness from polluted water, and injury from wildlife, other swimmers or debris in the water. The 'safety' of locations varies with the weather, the abilities and knowledge of the swimmer and time. Tides, rainfall and weather systems can dramatically change the safety profile of a swimming spot. Each individual needs to be responsible for keeping themselves safe, warm and informed of water safety.
You swim at your own risk.