About Us

Who are you?  
I’m Alan, 52, living in East Sussex with my wife and our two teenage children. I’m the one behind the cold‑water know‑how on this site and chief photographer, while Sarah runs the business. 

How did you get into cold‑water swimming?  
About five years ago I started dipping in local rivers and along the coast. It began as a small experiment and quickly became something I genuinely look forward to, a simple, refreshing way to start the day.

Do you swim all year round?  
Yes, in all weathers and all seasons. Shorts, maybe a woolly hat, and that’s about it. Feeling the seasons change through the water is something I’ve grown to love and especially enjoy the shocking cold of mid-winter.

Do your family join you?  
My daughter has absolutely caught the bug. She’ll happily join me for sunrise swims right up to November, which is brilliant to share. My wife has tried the water when the temperature has been in single digits but prefers the warmer months. She’s the one who runs the business and keeps the site working.

Are you a long‑distance swimmer?  
Not even close. I love to swim around a little but mostly you'll find me bobbing about. I’m there for the cold, the wildness, and the laughter with friends. Every dip is different, and that’s part of the joy.

 

When do you like to swim most?  
Early mornings are my favourite, especially when the sun decides to show up. There’s something special about starting the day in the water before the world wakes up.

Do you swim alone or with others?  
Usually with a few friends who are part of a bigger, informal group of likeminded dippers. It’s friendly, relaxed, and full of people who turn up for the same simple reason - it just makes them feel good.

What keeps you coming back to the water?  
It’s fun. Real, childlike fun. And it’s a refreshing contrast to office life, a way to reset, laugh, and feel alive.

Why start NippyDips?

After hundreds of swims, I’ve learned a lot, sometimes by accident, and sometimes by watching others. I wanted to share those lessons with beginners and offer a few basic essentials to help people get started safely and comfortably. My wife brings the organisation and the business skills; I bring the cold toes and the experience.

What do you hope people feel when they visit this site?  
Welcome. Encouraged. Reassured. And maybe a little inspired to try something cold, simple, and surprisingly uplifting.

Find out more on:
Instagram
Facebook Group (a private group so you can ask questions and post pictures without all your friends seeing)