Sussex

<p>RE wild swimming ,you must go in slowly.  I used to go in quickly and then after years of doing that I got half way across a lake (Divers&#8217; Cove) and couldn&#8217;t breathe, luckily I had my float on and backup of boats if needed.  I knew to tread water or just float and get back breath.  Turned out I suffered from SWIMMING INDUCED PULMONARY OEDEMA which can happen to anyone, any time, any age so TAKE CARE.  This is caused by the cold water causing blood to rush to your core and fluid from lung capillaries getting into the lungs (oedema) and you are unable to breathe properly.  I had lungs x-rayed to check no other reason and they are find so it was purely this reaction to the cold water.</p>


<p>I don&#8217;t see anything about not disturbing its home. With the nesting season under way, and fish spawning happening (hence it&#8217;s the close season for coarse fishing) it&#8217;s really important to be very quiet and calm. That way you get to see more, and show respect to nature.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="315" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/cuckmere-720x315.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47821" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/cuckmere-720x315.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/cuckmere-300x131.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/cuckmere.jpg 740w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>Wild swimming has exploded in popularity of late &#8211; just one glance at Instagram will show you more tranquil riverside or breathtaking lake dips than you can shake a tow float at. Those who have tried it know it&#8217;s an experience unlike any other. The peace and tranquility, the connection with nature, the slimy mud underneath your feet &#8211; OK, but there&#8217;s ways around that. </p>



<p>Here in Sussex we have the coast, an obvious start for any would-be wild swimmer, but you can also experience the joys of a river dip across the county, and rivers tend to be far less crowded than a heaving beach.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="740" height="620" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/arun.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47825" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/arun.jpg 740w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/arun-300x251.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/arun-597x500.jpg 597w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/arun-627x525.jpg 627w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /></figure>



<p><strong>READ MORE: </strong><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/wild-swimming-spots-in-sussex-winter/">Where to go wild swimming in Sussex during winter</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barcombe-mills-river-ouse">Barcombe Mills, River Ouse</h2>



<p>The worst-kept wild swimming secret in Sussex, and with good reason. This 5km stretch is deep, clear and has no current. Banks are steep, so approach with care. Nearby <a href="https://www.pellspool.org.uk/">Pells Pool</a><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Pells Pool  (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.pellspool.org.uk/welcome" target="_blank"> </a>is also worth a visit although it has a limited open season, so keep an eye on their site.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuckmere-meanders-seaford">Cuckmere Meanders, Seaford</h2>



<p>Warm (well, in summer, anyway), shallow and wide, the perfect spot for beginners or the less confident. Locals divulge that there are weeds aplenty, so be warned! You can also combine this with a walk to the sea at Cuckmere Haven for a saltwater dip too, or enjoy the nearby <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cuckmere-valley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Cuckmere Valley. (opens in a new tab)">Cuckmere Valley.</a> </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sandy-bay-midhurst">Sandy Bay, Midhurst</h2>



<p>A relatively shallow part of the River Rother, with easy sloping banks and a gentle current. Get to it 200m from <a href="https://www.cowdray.co.uk/historic-cowdray/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Cowdray Castle (opens in a new tab)">Cowdray Castle</a>. Popular with families.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greatham-bridge-river-arun">Greatham Bridge, River Arun</h2>



<p>Steep banks lead to a deep part of the Arun, the second-fastest river in England. The river is tidal and can have strong currents so take care. If you want to explore this part of the Arun without getting your feet wet, hire a kayak or canoe from <a href="https://fluidadventures.co.uk/hires/river-arun/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Fluid Adventures (opens in a new tab)">Fluid Adventures</a> in Pulborough and row, row, row to your heart&#8217;s content. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-houghton-bridge-amberley">Houghton Bridge, Amberley</h2>



<p>Another access point for the Arun. If swimming feels too bold, <a href="http://dinebytheriver.co.uk/boat-hire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="hire boats from Amberley (opens in a new tab)">hire boats from Amberley</a> and take a river trip. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waller-s-haven-hailsham">Waller&#8217;s Haven, Hailsham</h2>



<p>Deep, slow-flowing and remote, this one is for confident swimmers only but a truly wild experience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-divers-cove-godstone"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Divers Cove (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.diverscove.co.uk/open-water-swimming" target="_blank">Divers Cove</a>, Godstone</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/Untitled-design-2022-03-14T171338.618.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56893" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/Untitled-design-2022-03-14T171338.618.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/Untitled-design-2022-03-14T171338.618-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/Untitled-design-2022-03-14T171338.618-720x432.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/Untitled-design-2022-03-14T171338.618-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/Untitled-design-2022-03-14T171338.618-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Ok, so this isn&#8217;t Sussex, but it&#8217;s only 20 minutes from East Grinstead on the Eastbourne Rd and well worth the trip! A beautiful 7.3 acre reservoir formerly used for sand extraction it&#8217;s natural biodiversity and sandy bottom mean the water quality is exceptional and glows a beautiful turquoise green in the summer or winter sun. Members only, open from April &#8211; October. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-get-started">How to get started</h2>



<p>New to all this wild swimming stuff? Fear not! We&#8217;ve rounded up wild swimming expert <a href="https://www.intotheblue.online/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Debbie Burton (opens in a new tab)">Debbie Burton</a>, who counts feats such as the Henley Swim Thames Marathon among her watery conquests, to talk you through the basics.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="740" height="409" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/bala.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47824" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/bala.jpg 740w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/bala-300x166.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/bala-720x398.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Russell Burton</figcaption></figure>



<p><strong>How do I build confidence in open water?</strong></p>



<p>Take it slowly! Ideally visit the water you want to swim in first with others that are going in, and don&#8217;t get in if you don&#8217;t fancy it, just watch and learn the water. Go slowly if you do get in, and make sure you know where you can get out. Oh, and never jump into water if you don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s underneath &#8211; everybody remembers that from school, don&#8217;t they?</p>



<p><strong>What about all the grim slimy stuff on the bottom? </strong></p>



<p>It does feel weird &#8211; so wear swim socks. You don&#8217;t need full-on neoprene ones, you can get cute stretch footsies from Amazon for about three quid. Not actually feeling the slime underfoot helps a lot. </p>



<p><strong>What other kit do I need?</strong></p>



<p>Nothing special, just a costume will do &#8211; or not even that, depending on where you&#8217;re going to swim. As the air temperature gets cooler though, have warm layers for when you get out. </p>



<p>Other kit you might want to consider are goggles, neoprene gloves and socks to keep your extremities warm, and a wetsuit. There&#8217;s no medal for being able to tolerate the cold, and if you want to swim any sort of distance, you&#8217;ll need one. Ear plugs, because cold water on the eardrums can affect your balance. A brightly coloured swim hat will help you be seen, and stave off ice-cream head if it gets cold. The ones with bubbles all over, like your nan used to wear, are the best and fabulously retro. Tow floats help with visibility and some come with waterproof pockets, good for phones, snacks and inhalers. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="832" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/03/sea-swimming.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47530" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/03/sea-swimming.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/03/sea-swimming-300x250.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/03/sea-swimming-601x500.jpg 601w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/03/sea-swimming-768x639.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>How can I acclimatise to cold water?</strong></p>



<p>The best way is to start in summer, and just keep going as it gets colder. Everybody has their own method for getting in, there&#8217;s no medal for doing it quickly and if you dread it you won&#8217;t do it. My way is to go in slowly up to the waist, then quick with the shoulders. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="740" height="658" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/debbie.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47823" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/debbie.jpg 740w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/debbie-300x267.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/debbie-562x500.jpg 562w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/05/debbie-590x525.jpg 590w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /></figure>



<p><br><strong>READ MORE</strong>: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/ice-ice-baby-get-to-grrrrrrips-with-cold-water-exposure-ice-baths-and-wim-hof/">Get to grrrrrrips with cold-water exposure, ice baths and Wim Hof </a><br><strong>READ MORE: </strong><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/wild-swimming-spots-in-sussex-winter/">Where to go wild swimming in Sussex during winter</a></p>


Wild swimming spots in Sussex and beyond

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