WSS Members can request to borrow the 2008 version from Maree Books with “Wild Swimming” Reflections Taking The Plunge UPDATE: We got a lot of responses from readers suggesting good wild swimming books so have included them below. More recommendations welcome.]

An unusual story about an encounter that Lynne Cox had with a baby grey whale when swimming off the California coast Wild Swimming: 300 hidden dips in the rivers, lakes and waterfalls of Britain: We keep this in the car, and I think it’s the original and best of the series. Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home is taken away and they lose their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall. From the dramatic turquoise bays of Orkney to the peaty lochs of the Cairngorms, the thundering waterfalls of Skye to the calm depths of a reservoir in the Pentlands. Locals who know the secrets of their patch share over 100 spectacular dookin’ spots across Scotland. Now they are yours to explore too. (Publisher’s Synopsis)

Informative

Dan Start has a whole series of beautifully illustrated, practical guides suggesting places to swim outdoors in Britain and France: Why are we drawn to the ocean each summer? Why does being near water set our minds and bodies at ease? In Blue Mind , Wallace J. Nichols revolutionizes how we think about these questions, revealing the remarkable truth about the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water.

A mostly easygoing exploration of the southern tip of the Cambrian mountains, with some inviting wild swim spots along the way. River swimming spots abound on the River Irfon. A couple of miles off the route on the mountain road west of Abergwesyn is Wolf’s Leap, a series of pools among smooth, flat boulders. Further downstream the Wash Pool is a wide sun-dappled pool once used by drovers to wash their sheep. WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree The Mindful Art of Wild Swimming (Reflections for Zen Seekers) The wild swimming movement is a little different here in America, where lots of people enjoy the rivers and lakes of this big crazy country. Up here in the Pacific Northwest, the hearty UK swimmer would feel right at home. Our waters are cold and the beer is bold. Snorkeling rivers is just wild swimming while looking down. Take a look, you may be surprised what lives in your favorite swimming hole! Reply The Mindful Art of Wild Swimmingexplores how swimming in rivers, lakes, and seas is the very epitome of conscious living. Zen-seeker Tessa Wardley reconnects the physical and spiritual cycles of life to the changing seasons and flow of wild waters worldwide and leads the reader on to a mindful journey through the natural world. With expert insight and personal anecdote, she shares a sparkling clarity on why our relationship with open water is so fundamental to pure wellbeing, and reveals how wild swimming can be the ultimate Zen meditation.

Reflective Books on Wild Swimming

Wild Guide: Devon, Cornwall and South West: This was co-written with Tania Pascoe and Joanna Keeling. It’s not just about swimming but if it’s like Start’s other books then it will be a winner. WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree Wish You Were Still Here – The Scottish Seaside Holiday The Salt Pathis an honest and life-affirming true storyof coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world.Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.” (Publisher’s Synopsis) Another book about the social and cultural aspects of swimming, exploring our relationship with the water. Not one I’ve yet had chance to read but it could be worth a look. Swimming Studies

Charlotte Runcie explores what the sea means to us, and particularly what it has meant to women through the ages. In mesmerising prose, she explores how the sea has inspired, fascinated and terrified us, and how she herself fell in love with the deep blue. Roger Deakin explores the British Isles and the variety of swimming environments available to those of an inquisitive nature. It is a personal journey, where he reflects on the historical and modern perspective of swimming within these diverse climes. It is again possible to read Chapters within this book in isolation, indeed the photograph is of me reading an excerpt aloud to my group of swimmers after a Summer Expedition to The Trossachs. Reading “Waterlog” Summer 2020Dips and Chips is an illustrated guide to wild swimming across Central England. It has over 60 swims in it along with lots of useful advice about how to get started with wild swimming. What makes this book different is the beautiful illustrations of each swim with hand drawn pictures painted by Emma Jane O’Brien. We’ve been to and swam at every single swimming location so we know exactly what each swim is like and usually have a funny story to tell. I loved the approach of this light-hearted and informative guide. There are some laugh out loud moments as Calum explores everything Wild Swimming, Outdoor Swimming and Cold Water.