Calls for cold water swimming to be made safer for women

The research, published in the journal Women’s Health, explored the habits of women who enjoy the activity
Sea swimming woman
Cold water swimming is growing in popularity amongst women, but more support is needed to make many wild swimming sites in the UK safer and more accessible, new research shows.
The research, led by UCL and co-authored by the University of Plymouth, explored the habits of women who enjoy cold water swimming.
Publishing in Women’s Health, the team surveyed 1,114 women in the UK aged 16 to 80 years old in 2022 and found that most women who participated in wild swimming usually did so in the sea (64.4%) and the majority (89%) swam all year around.
The women surveyed stated that they swam for longer in the summer, with the most common length of time being 30–60 minutes (48.2%).
However, in the winter a majority of swims lasted between five and 15 minutes (53.8%).
Earlier this year, the same survey revealed that menopausal women who regularly swim in cold water report significant improvements to their physical and mental symptoms. It was also found to improve menstrual symptoms (see associated news and research paper on the UCL website).
However, while there are many benefits to the sport, there are also risks that can be exacerbated by the swimming environment.
Professor Jill Shawe from the University of Plymouth co-authored the research, and is leading another follow-up study into cold water swimming and pregnancy.

Our studies are vital to help gather evidence towards safe swimming.

Anecdotes and some research exists, but this is a really important step into understanding what women do, how they exercise and, crucially, what needs to happen to enable them to do it safely. 

Jill ShaweProfessor Jill Shawe
Professor of Maternal and Family Health

One of the health risks linked to cold water swimming is the increased likelihood of gastroenteritis and other infections due to pollution in UK rivers and seas.

This could be avoidable with better monitoring of sites.
Lead author of the latest paper, Professor Joyce Harper (UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health) 

Barriers to cold water swimming can be overcome and our early research in non-pregnant populations suggests that the activity has a significantly positive effect on mental health.

Co-author Dr Mark Harper, from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Designated bathing waters in the UK are typically monitored during the summer months (May–September). However, many do not meet the prescribed standards and researchers believe this may be worse for undesignated sites.
As a result, the researchers are calling for the UK government, water companies, the Environment Agency, and others across the world, to improve the safety and accessibility of open water for people who like to swim outdoors.
The research was carried out in collaboration with researchers from the University of Portsmouth, University of Sussex, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and Bournemouth University.

Our previous research has found that women strongly perceive cold water swimming to benefit their health. Exercising in nature, with a community, is a combination that should be encouraged. However, it is currently not well supported.

For example, in the UK, the government bathing-water quality website only runs from May to September, ignoring the winter months where heavy rainfall and consequent sewage overflow most commonly occur.
Globally we should be ensuring that cold water swimming is accessible and safe. It is time to make this increasingly popular and beneficial sport more secure and supported for all.
Professor Joyce Harper

In recent years cold water swimming has become a passion for many thousands of women across the UK, bringing numerous benefits to wellbeing.

Whilst the free and unregulated nature of swimming in open water is part of its attraction, it is time for the government and regulators to pay serious attention to the quality of our rivers, lakes and seas, to protect both swimmers today, and the ecosystems of these precious natural resources for the future.
Co-author Professor Sasha Roseneil from the University of Sussex 
Professor Shawe and Postdoctoral researcher Dr Eva McGrath have contributed to the Planet Ocean exhibition currently running at The Box in Plymouth, with their installation Immersion Maternal.
The work highlights pregnant women’s experiences of sea swimming through photographs, diaries and creative stories, and will help to form the basis of future work being published.
Image from Immersion Maternal, led by Eva McGrath and Jill Shawe
Image from Immersion Maternal, led by Eva McGrath and Jill Shawe 
PIHR abstract medical pharmacy healthcare innovative concept background

Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR)

Colourful vector image of adults and children. 

Future Generations Research Group

Shaking out the Nets by Wyn George (1910–1985). © The Box

Planet Ocean