And why it's about so much more than swimming.
There's something rather wonderful happening at lakes, beaches and lidos across Britain. More often that not, its women who are turning up in their swimming costumes, taking a deep breath, stepping into the water and discovering something they didn't necessarily know they were looking for.
And many of them are over 40, 50, 60 and beyond. At Own The Adventure, we absolutely love it because open water swimming isn't just about fitness, swimming distances or how long you can stay in the cold. It's about friendship, confidence, freedom and sometimes rediscovering a part of yourself that got a little lost along the way.
It's a chance to do something just for you
Life can be incredibly busy. Careers, families, responsibilities and endless lists of things that need doing. Somewhere along the way, it's easy to put yourself at the bottom of that list but there's something about heading to the water that changes things.
For those few minutes, or however long you choose to swim, you're doing something entirely for yourself. You are not contactable by the outside world. You can completely disconnect from devices and from emails, phones, and also the chores that will merrily wait for your return!
Just you, the water and perhaps a few wonderful people who have become your swimming family.
The friendships are extraordinary
Ask an open water swimmer what they love most and there's a good chance they'll mention the people, because swimming has a wonderful way of bringing together people who might otherwise never have met.
Different ages, backgrounds, abilities and life experiences, all sharing the same slightly bonkers enthusiasm for getting into cold water. There's the encouragement before you get in, the laughter when someone makes a particularly dramatic entrance, and the inevitable cup of tea afterwards. And suddenly, what started as a swim becomes the highlight of your week.
Confidence comes in all shapes and sizes
One of the things we feel most strongly about at Own The Adventure is that adventure doesn't have an age limit. And neither does confidence. You don't need a particular body shape to enjoy swimming.
You don't need to be the fastest, the fittest or the most experienced person at the lake. You just need to be yourself. For some women, putting on a swimsuit and walking towards the water takes enormous courage and we think that deserves celebrating.
That's why we create bold, colourful, British-made swimwear designed for real bodies and real adventures, with styles available in an inclusive range of sizes because everyone deserves to feel brilliant in their cossie.
It's about the stories, not the distances
Some women are training for extraordinary swimming challenges, others simply enjoy a gentle dip followed by a coffee and a chat. Both are adventures worth having.
At OTA, some of our favourite moments are spent listening to how people first discovered open water swimming. Perhaps a friend persuaded them to give it a go. Perhaps they wanted a new challenge. Or perhaps they simply needed something different in their life.
Every swimmer has a story.
And every story matters.
Your next adventure might be closer than you think
If you've been watching people swim in your local lake or along the coast and wondering whether you could join them, perhaps this is your sign.
Find a welcoming, supervised swimming venue or experienced local group. Learn about cold water safety, start gradually and choose conditions appropriate for your experience. Never feel pressured to stay in longer than you're comfortable with.
Most importantly, remember that you don't have to prove anything.
You don't have to swim a mile. you don't even have to put your head under. You just have to begin. And who knows? You might find a whole new community waiting to welcome you.
Because at Own The Adventure, we believe the best adventures aren't always about where you go. They're about who you become, and the people you meet along the way.
Ready for your next adventure?
Discover our colourful, British-made swimwear, designed to help you feel confident and comfortable wherever the water takes you.
Explore Own The Adventure swimwear