Taking the Plunge The Healing Power of Wild Swimming for Mind, Body & Soul

The thrill of plunging—or dipping a toe—into open water brings joy, confidence, adventure, and friendship. It can wash away stress and sadness, pain and grief. Here water is a great healer, a place to feel gloriously, elementally alive and in touch with yourself, with others, and with nature. Full of life-affirming personal stories and breath-taking images of scenery and swimmers, this bookcelebrates the remarkable wild swimming community. With practical advice on how wild swimming works and how to get started—from what you'll need (a swimsuit and a smile!) to where best to go (rivers, oceans, lochs, lakes . . .)—there's never been a better time to take the plunge.

Vicky Allan is a staff writer for the Herald on Sunday. Her work has also appeared in the Times, Daily Express, Vogue, GQ, the Guardian, and Scotland on Sunday. She has won awards for her travel writing, features writing and for her articles campaigning against violence against women. Her novel Stray is currently being adapted as a feature film. Anna Deacon's photographic work has been published in the Times, Scotsman, Herald, Hood, Big Issue, Refinery 29, Sunday Post, and Outdoor Swimmer, and many others. Anna has organized community swims, beach cleans, and fundraising for mental health charities within the swimming community.

At the start .................................................................1
1 Toe in the water .......................................................11
2 Calming the mind’s storms .....................................29
3 Bathing in nature ...................................................45
4 Swimming up for air .............................................67
5 Out of our depths ..................................................87
6 Beyond the breakers .............................................111
7 Salt tears ..............................................................129
8 The sea doesn’t judge .........................................149
9 Cold comfort ........................................................169
10 Splish Splash Splosh ...........................................187
11 Finding your pod .................................................207
12 Staying safe .........................................................225
Parting Words .....................................................235
TAKING