Welcome to NippyDips
Purpose of the guide
This guide is designed as a friendly, no‑nonsense introduction to cold, wild swimming for anyone who wants a casual dip and would like some simple, reassuring advice. Everything here comes from my own real‑world experience of dipping in the English Channel throughout the seasons over many years.
What do I need to get started in wild swimming?
You don’t need experience or bravery to begin, just a bit of curiosity. The aim of this guide is to help you feel prepared, calm, and confident as you explore cold water swimming at your own pace. I've selected a few important pieces of kit to make it a more enjoyable experience so, when you're ready, have a look in the shop.
First step
To get started, it's a really good idea to find a local outdoor swimming or dipping group. You can usually find them on Instagram, Facebook, and there are many listed on the Outdoor Swimming Society website. If you prefer, there are large nationwide groups who will welcome you such as The Bluetits Chill Swimmers. Joining a group like this will really help you get started.
We have also just started a Facebook Group (a private group so you can ask questions and post pictures without all your friends seeing). It's a bit quiet at the moment 😂 but we're there ready to answer your questions and you're more than welcome to join so we look forward to seeing you.
Wondering what to expect?
If you want an insight to the everyday dipping experience, have a read of these questions and answers from real dippers.
If you’re unsure where to begin, take a look through the other pages on this website:
