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

This is described as ‘The Healing Power of Wild Swimming for Mind, Body & Soul’; so, one might expect, that this book would include some interesting new science as to the effects of cold-water swimming. Instead it’s a procession of many swimmers who say no more than it’s amazing /it’s changed my life/ I feel great.There is very little new here and anyone interested in wild swimming would learn more from the OSS (Outdoor Swimming Society) website. Disappointing. Better to buy Charles Sprawson’s seminal ‘Haunts of the Black Masseur’ for inspiration.

This is the best book on wild swimming. It should be a mandatory read for anyone who is thinking of starting this life affirming sport-hobby-crazy fun activity. Arguably it should be mandatory reading for anyone who isn’t but is feeling the need for a pick me up. For any existing wild swimmers - buy it - it is filled with beautiful photographs, heart warming tales and good sensible advice about rip tides and the cold!

This is an incredible book. The content is beautifully written and so informative, and the photos are absolutely stunning. I would buy this just to look at the pictures! So many inspirational stories in here. Can’t imagine many people who wouldn’t be happy to see this in their stocking. I have bought copies for people ranging in age from 30s to 80s!

What an awesome book. A must have for anyone wanting to venture into wild swimming or is already in the amazing world of swimming outdoors.. really beautifully done with heeps of fantastic snaps of happy swimmers.+ incredibly informative.I'm an open water coach and fairly experienced and will encourage all my clients to pick this up 😁

This book explains the lure of rushing into freezing cold water using many inspirational examples. Anna and Vicky share their experiences of joining the Wild Swimming community using beautiful photographs and delightful text. It is a lovely book for those already involved and has lots of useful tips for anyone who may be tempted.They cover the very important safety points as well as the incredible sense of joy and camaraderie that is such a big part of ‘Taking the Plunge’!

I LOVE this book! It's so beautiful and has captured all the different moods, feelings and sensations of wild swimming. It's filled with moving stories, insight and stunning photography.

This book is a joy. Anna has captured such emotion and honesty in the photos, and the swimmers’ stories are beautiful and powerful. If you already swim outdoors there’s much to inspire and remind you why you jump into chilly water. If you’re thinking about giving it a whirl, I suspect this book will make it irresistible- but importantly the clear and well-informed advice will help your plunges be safe, and as joyful as you hoped.This really is the book I wish had been available two years ago when I was toying with idea but didn’t know where to start. It would have emboldened me, and equipped me to be safe and find my mer-tribe more quickly.Even if you think wild swimming is madness, I commend the book to you. It’s lusciously printed and the photos are so evocative - a pleasure to dip into and a window into our special splashy form of madness. And you never know what it might inspire in you. I dare you!

Joyful, life affirming, inspiring.. both "the book" (as it has already become known) and swimming outdoors. Can't recommend enough.