“No two swims here are ever the same. Everything is shifting, all of the time. And being here, in this salty water, whatever the time of year, reminds me of the ephemeral nature of it all. It forces me to stay present. To be thankful. To be the best I can for those that I love.” Joe Minihane, author of Floating: A Life Regained
“I have realised that what I really need from my winter swimming is community and the enveloping love from my swim tribe. Hugs, smiles, laughter: the reason why we all swim.” Caroline Saxon, GB ice swimmer
“It’s a bunch of guys, that have got absolutely nothing in common, all different ages, walks of life. But then you dip your balls in the water and you’ve got everything in common. You feel so much empathy. And then when everyone’s coming out of the water, they’re laughing and then people contact each other. No one’s jobs are important. People are just asking about their well-being.” Marc Millar, Edinburgh Blue
Balls swim group
“Focus on what you want your body to do. You want to go for a swim? This is your priority. It is about owning your body and realising that everybody else in the pool probably feels the same as you do and if you are in open water just be free, mother nature created your body to get in that water and connect with her!” Jules Von Hep, body confidence campaigner
“Open water swimming had become a sanctuary. It’s a very meditative experience. I love the freedom that it brings.” Rob Hutchings, marathon swimmer and triathlete
“Never in my life have I felt or been a part of something as incredible as this. Not a day goes by down on our beach where someone doesn’t reference how finding this group has completely changed their life and their outlook.” Esther Osborne, 10am Tits
“Immersing in icy water is an incredibly intense experience and your whole being is overtaken with the cold. You have to focus on the moment and concentrate on breathing. Everything else disappears. A perfect mindful moment in a busy life.” Alice Goodridge, SwimWild
“I think that any exercise is good for people’s well-being and their mental health. It’s easy to stop and not make the effort, it’s easy to find an excuse not to get out of bed when it’s dark, cold, wet. The best thing you can do, make that extra effort and go out and you will feel better afterwards for that.” Kate Steels, Ice Sevens swimmer