Name: Introduction to Cold Water Swimming
Start: 2025-10-18T10:00:00+01:00
Location: Firestone Bay Plymouth

This introductory session will provide you useful information to get you started on your cold water swimming journey as well as providing you with the opportunity to do some cold water swimming with an experienced guide. The sessions will be relaxed, inclusive and informative, the aim is to get you in the water, maybe for the first time, arm you with the information you need to start swimming safely and answer any burning questions you might have.

We will cover the following
Information on equipment (with an emphasis on what you might want but recognising that you don’t actually need much more than a swimsuit and a towel to get started)
Safety consideration including venue selection, common hazards and how to keep safe
Brief introduction to tides and weather
Entering and exiting the water safely
Swim duration
Cold Water Shock, after drop and hypothermia
An experience of a short cold water swim or dip to suit you

Once you have booked you will be provided with all the information you need to get ready including what to bring, where to meet and some handy tips for making the most of things you already own. I would advise not buying any equipment prior to the session, you should be able to have a go with things you already own.

Challenge by choice
I think it's really important that we make our own decisions about what we do, you know yourself and your body better than anyone else. With that in mind, on the day, I will provide support and encouragement to you but I will never force anyone to do anything they don't want to. If you decide, for whatever reason, you don't want to get in the water you will still be able to participate fully in the other aspects of the session.

Who is this suitable for? No previous experience is necessary, as long as you can swim. This is suitable for those who want to try for the first time or those who are considering their first winter swimming outdoors. The swimming part of the session can be in a swimsuit or a wetsuit, that's your individual choice, although no equipment is provided.
These sessions must be booked in advance via the website. Alternative dates are available, for all dates please see www.cathyharshaw.com/calendar