The cure for the COVID-19 blues was as close as a dip at the nearest beach for one Nanaimo woman.
Vicki McLeod will be presenting her pictures of “wild swimming” at an online women’s Zoom event, YakFest, on April 5 at 5:25 p.m.
A healthy, strong swimmer, McLeod was invited by to try a full-moon swim at a local beach in late November. The idea gave her pause.
“I’d only lived here for about six months when COVID hit, so it’s been difficult to meet new people and develop community,” McLeod said. “I had never really considered swimming in winter and only very occasionally gone swimming outdoors at night. Honestly, at first it seemed like a crazy idea to me, but I decided ‘What the heck,’ and took the plunge.”
McLeod said the first time she ran into the water and immediately ran back out.
“I am sure I wasn’t in for more than 30 seconds,” she said. “I was amazed at how shockingly cold it was. Despite the cold, there was something really beautiful about being in the sea at night, and even though my fingers and feet were particularly painful and numb I felt remarkably good afterward.”
Now, when McLeod wants to chill out, she takes a polar bear approach. While the idea of “wild swimming” — swimming in any natural body of water – isn’t a new concept, taking to a lake, river, pond or the open Pacific in the dead of winter or even early spring may sound extreme.
But still, there’s a growing interest in year-round wild swimming, including winter swimming in northern climates.
McLeod connects with other experienced swimmers, meeting up a couple of times a week – masking up and keeping their distance. McLeod is building up her time in the water and her tolerance for the cold, staying in for up to 10 minutes.
According to seatemperature.info, the Pacific temperature in Nanaimo ranges from an average of seven degrees Celsius in the winter to an average of 17 degrees Celsius in the summer.
“Throughout the year, the water temperature in Nanaimo does not rise above 20°C/68°F and therefore is not suitable for comfortable swimming,” the site says.
That’s putting it mildly. Wild swimming is only recommended for experienced, healthy swimmers with company. Individuals with health issues, such as heart conditions, blood pressure problems or asthma should consult their physician on the advisability of wild swimming.
“Tolerance is very individual, however, and cold-water swimming, or dipping, is definitely a shock to the system,” McLeod said.
At any time of year, wild swimming can be dangerous, McLeod noted. In the winter, cold and hypothermia present heightened risk.
“It’s very important that you know how to swim, for example, and that you know your limits,” she said. “A wild swimmer needs to be aware of things like tide, waves, current and water temperature. Generally, it’a good practice to swim with a buddy, and certainly do not swim alone at night.”
A healthy respect for the environment and those that share it is also important, she added, citing the time she had to avoid a raft of sea lions.
In addition to a bathing suit, there is other recommended gear. Neoprene gloves—available at sporting goods stores or surf shops—help, as do water shoes or diving boots, especially on rocky beaches. Cover-ups for changing to get warm and dry immediately afterward are important, and swimmers beat a path to their car right away, she said.
Just a few months into her new passion, McLeod swears by the touted benefits of cold-water swimming: burning calories, boosting the immune system, increasing circulation, reducing inflammation and offering a natural high through endorphin release and the painkilling effect of the cold.
“For me, the most significant impact is on my mood,” said McLeod. “I find a winter dip brings me completely into the present moment, pushing all other concerns and worries out of my head. I become immediately and exquisitely aware of my breathing, my limbs and the water and sky that surround me. This is a huge positive boost that last for hours afterward.”
McLeod is a writer, coach, TEDx speaker and entrepreneur. A graduate of the Writers Studio at Simon Fraser University, she’s the author of four nonfiction books that explore being fully human in a technical world, including #UNTRENDING - A Field Guide to Social Media That Matters and You and the Internet of Things.
Her blog can be read at www.vickimcleod.com. To learn more about wild swimming and to get important safety information and other tips, visit www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com.
YakFest is a B.C.-based free monthly online event via Zoom, held the first Monday of every month. Other special guest panelists for the April 5 even include poet Francine Merasty, actress/novelist Harley Jane Kozak, Hornby Island author Wendy Burton, and author Dr. Darcova Matrice.
Admission to Women’s YakFest is by reservation. For additional information about YakFest, visit YakFest.ca or contact Jacqueline Carmichael at yakfest1@gmail.com. Attendees can also register online at eventBrite.