Toes in the Water: Stories of lives changed by wild swimming

by Rachel Jones (Editor)

Why do so many of us step into the water? Compiled and edited by Rachel Jones , Toes in the Water explores the life-affirming and healing power of wild swimming. With insights from a wide range of swimmers, the book explores the community around wild swimming, interwoven with the mental and physical health benefits which swimmers gain from it. The featured swimmers share the connection they feel with the natural world, and how this can lead to a positive impact on the environment around them. Packed full of inspiring stories, Toes in the Water is a book that could change your life. The featured swimmers include open-water coach and year-round outdoor swimmer Ella Foote , who describes how the swimming community has supported her and given her skills and confidence in the outdoors; meanwhile, Beth Pearson , co-director of the Outdoor Swimming Society, explains the motivation behind and evolution of creating a wild swimming community. Also, Yorkshire-based wild swimming guide Les Peebles reflects on how healing he finds being in the water and how much joy he finds in helping others to discover wild swimming; and Lindsey Cole , mermaid, adventurer and environmental campaigner, explains how she raises awareness of river pollution through storytelling and activism.

176 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2023

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was bringt Menschen dazu, sich jeden Tag ins kalte Wasser zu stürzen, unabhängig davon, wie die Außentemperaturen sind? Rachel Jones versucht mit ihrem Buch, diese Frage zu beantworten. Sie lässt die unterschiedlichsten Wasserratten zu Wort kommen: von alten Hasen, die schon seit Jahren fast täglich draußen schwimmen, UmweltschützerInnen, die mit spektakulären Aktionen auf die Verschmutzung der britischen Gewässer aufmerksam machen, Neulinge, die das Freiwasserschwimmen erst für sich entdeckt haben, Frauen, die aus einer kleinen Gruppe von Schwimmenthusiasten eine Bewegung gegründet haben, bis zu denjenigen, für die das Schwimmen kein Sport mehr ist, sondern lebensnotwendig.

Es ist schick geworden, sich im Winter ins kalte Wasser zu stürzen und am besten noch ein Bild in den sozialen Medien zu posten, aber darum geht es Rachel Jones nicht. Sie hat für ihr Buch die unterschiedlichsten Personen ihre Geschichte aufschreiben lassen. Alle Geschichten sind verschieden, aber alle haben eines gemeinsam: es tut gut, im Wasser zu sein, besonders im kalten Wasser. Es macht etwas mit einem, was man nicht wirklich beschreiben kann, aber sicher ist, dass das Erlebnis noch lange, nachdem man aus dem kalten Wasser gekommen ist, nachwirkt. Vielleicht ist das der Grund, warum ich in vielen der kurzen Kapitel lesen konnte, wie gut es der Seele tut und weniger, was es mit dem Körper macht.

Rachel Jones lässt auch kritische Stimmen zu Wort kommen. Viele beklagen den Zustand von Stränden und Flussufern, der mit den immer zahlreicher werdenden SchwimmerInnen schlechter wird. Aber die meisten kennen auch die Lösung, nämlich immer ein Stück Müll mehr mitnehmen als man macht. Lindsey Cole wird etwas lauter und erreicht durch ihre Aktionen, bei denen sie schon mal als Meerjungfrau verkleidet einen überlebensgroßen Kackhaufen auf einem Floss hinter sich herzieht, ein breiteres Publikum. So hat die Rachel Jones eine schöne Sammlung von den unterschiedlichsten Geschichten zusammengetragen, hauptsächlich für Schwimmer, aber nicht nur für sie.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I’m not a swimmer and, truth be told, can think of little worse than submerging myself in cold water, having now read this collection of stories from enthusiastic advocates of wild swimming I can recognise how inspirational they’re likely to be for anyone considering whether or not to take the plunge. For anyone who is already an enthusiastic participant I’m sure they’ll appreciate being reminded of why they do it and the support they enjoy from being part of such a supportive community.
The individual stories are divided into three sections, ‘Community’, ‘Environment’ and Mental Health’, to reflect the main focus of what each contributor gains from swimming in the wild. However, as I found that almost every essay included elements of each, albeit with a differing degree of emphasis, I couldn’t see much benefit in this separation into categories. Nevertheless, I did enjoy reading these stories and although they haven’t persuaded me to dip even my toes in the water, I can recognise the benefits to physical and mental health that people experience because these parallel what I feel when I spend time fell-walking, or even just taking a short walk.
I found it interesting to discover that post-lockdown there has been a huge increase in wild swimmers since 2020, when Covid lockdowns closed both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. In 2017 membership of the Outdoor Swimming Society (established in 2005) stood at around 25,000 but now numbers 100,000! With so many more people now swimming in lakes and rivers it’s hardly surprising that there is increasing awareness about levels of pollution in our waterways so I found it heartening to read about the committed activism of some of the swimmers who feature in this book.

[Debbie Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and uplifting to read about the different ways wild swimming enhances people’s lives. Many of the authors agree that the outdoor swimming community support and look out for each other, share their skills and knowledge, also have great fun and find friends for life.
The book demonstrates how people enjoy the wild swimming experience while it has a very positive impact on their mental and physical health. A lovely read, leaving me longing for my next wild swimming experience.

[Jolienscheire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had er veel meer van verwacht.

[Emily Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very inspiring read - was surprised by how many names of contributors I recognised! Can't wait for my next swim fix