Thousands across Dorset have taken the dive into mental wellbeing through cold water activity groups.
In Poole, Bluetits Chill Swimmers have grown from a handful of friends to around 3,700 members since October 2019, according to founder Sarah Cleal.
For regular swimmer Sandra Looker, every dip brings a burst of euphoria: “It makes you feel like a child, I feel exhilarated in the sea, like a kid playing”
She added: “Once you’ve done it once, that’s it your addicted.”
In a RNLI report, it is suggested that cold water immersion triggers your body’s fight-or-flight response, allowing you to regulate your stress hormones and release endorphins.
Wendy Billington, 87, believes the benefits go beyond fitness: “It’s not just the water, it’s the sense of community.”
Sarah Cleal added: “It’s such good fun and so many people that I would have never met have now become like extended family”
In Branksome, Shaka Surf has partnered up with The Wave Project to support children with mental health challenges.
Inspired by the difference he saw whilst volunteering with The Wave Project, Shaka Surf founder Mark Reeves, set up his own group: “I saw how positively the ocean impacted those children.”
He added: “Once they get in, it’s like they don’t struggle with their mental health at all.”
Since launching in 2013, The Wave Project Dorset has expanded to offer six fully funded six-week courses and 30 surf clubs this year.
For Shaka instructor and UK Dog Surfing champion Carl Barnes, surfing became a personal lifeline: “Without surfing I’d probably say I wouldn’t be sat here today.”
He added: “It’s been my main source of of therapy after experiencing trauma myself.”
In a ‘Wild Swimming Brothers’ report, cold water activities have been found to enhance mental clarity, relieve stress, and boost self esteem.
Regular swimmer Will Whale described this experience as transformative: “Cold water swimming offers a physical and mental high like no other.”
He added: “When you put your head under you come alive, it’s an electric feeling.”
Dorsets cold water movement has become a lasting remedy, continuing to champion better mental wellbeing across the county.
As more people dive in, Dorset’s waters prove that healing often starts with a single plunge!
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