Getting out of a warm bed, travelling to the far reaches of Scotland’s coast and voluntarily plunging into ice cold water might not be everybody’s cup of tea. But for the University of Edinburgh’s Blue Tits, it is a lifestyle.
Hannah Wenzel is a third year Geography student at the University of Edinburgh, and is a proud member of the University’s wild swimming society. Growing up in the Lake District, Hannah participated in water sports from a young age, but really got into cold water swimming with friends back in 2018. When lockdown hit, everyone was stuck inside, but, when the lakes reopened to locals, she found a community of like-minded people. “It was mostly women. It felt really empowering”, she says.
Now, she mainly swims with the University’s Blue Tits, and serves as their Wellbeing and Inclusion Officer. The society offers “a way for people to get out of the city and enjoy cold water swimming”, while being part of a wide community of students. Their members meet to swim at beaches around Scotland every Sunday at 11am – posting each week’s location on their Instagram, @eubluetits – followed by free coffee and tea, and sometimes brunch. It’s a “really, really wholesome environment”, she says, “they usually all go into the water together” and “everyone gets chatting.”
The physical and mental health benefits of cold water swimming are plentiful – helping inflammation, circulation and the immune system – and it offers a boost of dopamine that Hannah says “resets” her brain.
“I don’t have to think while I’m doing it”, she says, “I leave feeling so much clearer in my head.”
With years of experience, Hannah stays in the water for up to 15 minutes, but says it’s completely “your choice” how you swim – some people come for the adrenaline, some people come for the community. “It’s a make-your-own sport!”
Despite its intimidating image, cold water swimming is for everybody. One of Hannah’s first cold water swims at university was for 2022’s International Women’s Day – she went alone to the community event, but ended up having a great time.
“Waking up at 5am and bonding with people in the freezing wind is a great way to get to know people!”
This year, she “dragged” her friends along too. “Swimming feels really personal to me” she says, but getting to share it with her friends to celebrate International Women’s Day was a special experience. “You get to see their faces light up when they do it, even if they are screaming because it is so cold.”
According to Outdoor Swimmer, participation in cold water swimming has increased by between 1.5 and 3 times since 2019. “It’s becoming more of a trend, people doing cold plunges now,” she says, especially after the pandemic when people were stuck inside. “The next step is helping people to realise they don’t need a bucket in the backyard – they can actually go to a natural body of water.” One of the best things about the society is that it offers students a great opportunity to get out and make the most of Scotland’s beautiful landscape: “you’re outside, you’re out in nature – it’s so important when you’re sat inside the library all the time.”
Hannah emphasises that everyone can, and should, get involved. “The beauty of it is that it’s really accessible to everyone,” she adds. “It’s so easy to get into – you don’t need to be an expert to join. It’s so inclusive and brings a real mix of people.” The Blue Tits welcome cold water enthusiasts and novices alike: “It’s incredible. I’ve met people from completely different walks of life and different degrees across the University. We all bond over the fact that we love cold water swimming.”
So, grab your swimsuit and head down to the beach. After all, “turning up is the sport!”
“Cold water swimming” by Luis Marina is licensed under CC BY 2.0