What is wild swimming?

Wild swimming is all about swimming in natural spaces, the great outdoors! Whether it’s a lake, river, or the sea, seek and embrace nature. There are also some fantastic sea pools and outdoor lidos to explore!

Is wild swimming safe?

Yes, as long as you’re sensible and take note of a few basic rules. Always go with a friend, be sensible and wear the appropriate clothing for the conditions.

How to stay safe wild swimming

Open water is usually cold and can be deep in places, the deeper it is the less chance the sun has to warm it.  The top of the water may seem warm but the deeper you go the colder it usually gets. Urban locations have offer hazards such as broken bottles shopping trolleys etc.  Always be sure you can get in and out of the water easily. Some river banks are very steep and deep on the edges so plan your entries and exits.

Checking the current

Some rivers may have a flow to them, you can usually tell by looking at the surface, it may seem quite gentle but you can soon travel quite a distance in a short time.  The flow will also be affected dramatically by the amount of rain we have just had. Never think that as you’ve been to this spot once it will be the same again, the water depth and flow can dramatically in a just a few hours after heavy rain.

How deep is the water

You should never dive straight in to any outdoor water source unless check well prior. Even clear water can be deceiving, it may look deep but distance in water can often be misleading. Always know the depth. Rivers also have pools and varying sections, some pools could be really deep when a narrow shoot could be only inches deep. Just because the water is dark/black doesn’t mean its deep, the colour can be misleading. Always check the depth, use a stick or climb in slowly first pushing down with you feet to check.

Don’t underestimate the cold

Even in the summer the water can be freezing below the surface, just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean the water will be. Hypothermia happens gradually and most of the time it creeps up on you. You can make you feel tired and lethargic rather than freezing cold.

How to get use to the water and avoid cold water shock

Cold water shock can be fatal so even if you’re wearing a wetsuit it’s better not to jump straight in get use to the water first, there’s no rush to dive in. Give yourself time to adjust to the temperature, stand in the water for a few moments to get use to it, get your body ready for the change in temperature. A good tip is to splash water on your face and the back of your neck first or once in the water dip your head under to get use to the cold.

Don’t swim alone

Avoid swimming alone if possible. It’s always best to be in the water with someone or have someone on the bank that can help if needed. There are also some great floats available, you can tow these behind you as you swim. They are usually bright and can be seen easily from the side or from a boat. Another good tip is wearing a bright swim hat.

Watch out for trees and reeds

Trees and reeds can not only be annoying they can also be dangerous. They are a bit like an iceberg, you can usually only see the tip of a branch sticking out of the water, there be a whole tree under there! If possible avoid swimming through reed and over tree branches.

Cuts and grazes

Always cover up nicks and scratches with a good quality water resistant plaster.  In some urban locations Weil’s disease (leptospirosis) is apparent which is from rats urine, it can seep into open cuts and wounds.

Stay Close and avoid the cramp

Getting cramp is not a pleasant experience and is always when you don’t expect it. The main cause is from dehydration so make sure how drink plenty well before head for the water, small regular amounts rather than a large amounts a short time before you go works best.

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How to choose somewhere to go wild swimming

The internet is the best place to start looking, try searching for wild swimming near where you live first.

Another great starting point is  the www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com they have heaps or information, tips, locations, ideas and spots to visit. There are also some great wild swimming apps to download to you phone.

These are some of our favourite books –

Wild Swim, by Kate Rew; Wild Swimming by Daniel Start; and Wild Swimming: Hidden Beaches, also by Daniel Start. All three of these have swim spots listed all over the UK and detailed maps or OS references and directions!

For more regional info try Wild Swimming Walks (Dartmoor and South Devon) by Sophie Pierce and Matt Newbury; and Wild Swimming Walks (London) by Margaret Dickinson.

Getting connected

If you’re on Face Book why not join the Outdoor Swimming Society, with over 25,000 members in the UK and its free to join, why not!

So what to wear

A woolly hat or beanie is great to keeping in the warm, that is if you don’t plan on getting your head wet. There are also some great skull type caps available.

A wetsuit or triathlon type suit is also really good to keep the cold out.  You can also buy just a wetsuit top. We have another blog on wetsuit types, thickness etc

Wetsuit boots or water type shoes are also a good idea. These not only keep you feet warm they will prevent any injuries.

Neoprene gloves are also great to keep the chill out.

If you’re planning on going under water or swimming a distance then goggles are great piece of kit. It’s sometimes overlooked in wild swimming. Standard swimming pool goggles will suffice.

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Ear plugs

To avoid water going in your ears and also to prevent infection ear plugs are really useful.  Some of the best makes are for surfing, EQ seals, Surfers Ear or G-plugs are some of the best.

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Shilley Pool,  near Okehampton

Its one of Dartmoor’s best kept in the wild swimming community. It can be found just below Blackaton Brook which feeds the tarn, It was featured in Roger Deakins timeless book, waterlog, which gives it its cult type status amongst wild swimmers. If you haven’t read the book it’s a must.

It’s a little tricky to find as its It is off the beaten track. Beware of unsteady ground as they may be peat  bogs, particularly in the area known as Raybarrow Pool which carries the infamous reputation as one of Dartmoor’s most dangerous mires. For that reason, please plan your route and try to stick to an obvious path as much as you can.

 

Haytor Quarry Pools, near Bovey Tracey

Haytor Quarry finds itself in the most picturesque location, surrounded by sweeping hills lands and ancient footpaths. With its naturally rock sides keeps the pool out of the wind making it a great spot in the colder months. It does have some deep sections that may feel quite cold, so be careful and get us to the waters temperature before you take the plunge.

Sharrah Pool, near Poundsgate

This spot is simply beautiful and really easy to get to. Head to the nearest car park by the bridge and walk upstream along the obvious path to the left or the river.

This can become quite busy in warmer months as its quite easy to reach from Plymouth and Exeter so head out early if possible. Beacause of its easy access it doen prove popular with dog walkers and ramblers. That said it is definitely one for your list. The water is ice cold and crystal clear, the small rapids and drops makes it a fun spot for all the family. It is set deep in the heart of the woods, its steep rocky and tree strewn sides it can give the impression that your in a set from Lord of the Rings.

Spitchwick Common, near Ashburton

The waters of Spitchwick Common, also known as Deeper Marsh remain one of Dartmoor’s most cherished wild swimming locations. This is still the river Dart and is best just downstream of the Dart Gorge. It is close to Spitchwick Manor and the historic grounds of Buckfast Abbey. The town of Ashburton is also worth a visit for a cream tea. This is known as the gateway to Dartmoor!

Salmon Leaps, near Chagford

Based on the banks of the River Teign, to the West of Dartmoor. It is situated at the foot of Castle Drogo now owned by the National Trust.  If you have time take a walk around the castle grounds, the views from here are very dramatic. If you follow the trail down to the river from the main car park you may even find the Fingle Bridge Inn on your way. You may need a wetsuit if you fancied sliding between the series of small pools in the river.

Cullever Steps Pool, Belstone, North West of Dartmoor

A short drive from the A30 who will find the picturesque village called Belstone. Here you will find the Cullever steps. This is one of the smaller pools on our list but still well worth the trip. Not far from the pool is the charming village of Belstone where you’ll find the Tors Inn, a very quaint and homely Inn.

Cowsic Waterfall Pool, Two Bridges

This is one of our favourite spots, as we only live a stones throw away. It is set near the ancient and mystical Wistman’s Woods. You can park opposite the Two Bridges Inn, and follow the track which runs alongside the Cowsic River. Follow this upstream, towards Beardown Farm. You may need to scramble down to the waters edge, so please be careful if you have small children or dogs with you.

Foggintor Quarry

One of the easiest places to walk into, it’s on the edge of Princetown on the road heading back to Tavistock. You will need to park near the road and follow the wide track (suitable for off-road vehicles but unfortunately it can be used as its private) inland for a short distance before you reach the quarry on your left. It does get quite foggy here, hence the name but that adds to the ambience. Please note that the quarry is very deep and the water is very dark so go careful getting in.

https://youtu.be/lBN_Epkg-V0

We are super stoked that Visit England have used our boards in their latest promotional video to show what England has to offer! Its all about the Microgap!

So what is a microgap……

Visit England state, “Pack the best bits of a gap year into just a few days with a Microgap in the UK. Whether you like to Switch Off, Give Back, Learn More or Go Wild on your break, a Microgap can provide exactly what you’re looking for. See where your next trip can take you! So what are your options….

Switch Off – Everybody needs to hit pause on everyday routine every now and again. Unwind, reflect and focus on yourself; Switch Off on a Microgap.

Learn More – Get hands on and master a new skill or improve an already existing one; find your passion when you learn more on a Microgap.

Go Wild – There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration that comes with pushing yourself to the limit; discover amazing views and breathtaking experiences when you Go Wild on a Microgap.

Give Back – Do something positive and create unforgettable memories at the same time; improve the world around you and Give Back on a Microgap.

 

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Why not take your paddle board on holiday with you, it’s easier than you think! We headed off to Norway in June 2019 and we all took our isup’s with us. We flew with Norwegian Airlines from Gatwick landing in Bergen. We booked our flights online and had a few options for our luggage. We went with having 20 kg of hold with a small day bag to take into overhead storage. This option also allowed us to each take a personal item, from a laptop, to a drone.

The Stride weighs approximately 14-15 kg in the bag. Which gave us at least 5 kg to play with. As their was four of us we took only 2 pumps, one spare paddle and 2 spare fins, just in case. The rest of the weight and room we used to take personal items and team items such as a Jetboil, food, torches etc.

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We then used our sleeping bags, towels and other clothes to pack around the board to avoid any damage. We put spare trainers over the ends of the paddles just in case. It was all stuff that we had to take so why not use it wisely.

The wheeled bags that come as standard with the Orb and Stride made it really easy to get about in the airport. These bags also have rucksack straps and waist belts but they can be easily tucked into the rear Velcro compartment to keep them out of the way of the conveyor belts.

Once at Gatwick we were asked to register and load the boards into the oversized area, which was really easy…. no queues.

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All of our kit arrived there and back safely and the whole process was really easy! Norwegian Airlines were amazing!

If you do want any info on how to travel with your board or even about travelling around Norway please do send us an email or give us a call!

Back in March 2019, we were having a few good days of weather, cold in the mornings but heating up nicely through the day. We made the decision to go for an early paddle and watch the sun rise. This all sounds good until you start to look at the sunrise times and what time you need to meet up, what time to get on the water ready for the sun to rise.

 

We met at 0510 am, so a 04.30 am wake up. Now I really do love my bed and it doesn’t take much for me to make little excuses up in my head why I shouldn’t get up. I was meeting a friend so this helped motivate me, I can’t let Pete down, he knows where I live. The van was loaded up the night before but I didn’t anticipate scraping ice off the windows.

We arrived at the Barbican Plymouth, just a little way up towards the sound. It was still dark but you could see the light starting to show on the horizon. The water was like glass, not a ripple to be seen or anyone else for that matter. We paddled out and headed right towards the Tinside Lido and towards Millbay docks. The sun didn’t disappoint, it rose magnificently glowing a deep red staining the water with a red glow.

The cold fingers, the tired eyes, the early rise was all worth it! Until the next time my friend……

 

Team rider Pete was off to North Wales with some of his family, “I know what would be a good idea” he says, “Take a board up to the highest lake in wales”. I want to take a flag as well with me, “Got to have a flag, they had one on the moon”!

Lake Lyffant is situated in the middle of Snowdonia National Park North Wales and not only is it the highest lake in Wales it is almost one of the most remotest. It is a long hard walk from what ever direction that choose to walk in from. On this particular weekend, Easter weekend of April 2019 it was one of the hottest weekends of the year, a scorcher! If you get time look it up on google maps and you will see how tough it is to get to!

Pete started at Llyn Eigiau and walked up continuously for 2 hrs 15 mins, a total of 7 km of uphill in the heat with a paddle board strapped to his back. The total height gained was 501 metres, so non stop all the way to the Lake. This is a hard walk for anyone let alone carrying a paddle board and a flag on your back!

This is what Wikipedia says – Lake Llyn Llyffant is the highest lake in Wales, located at grid reference SH 687 645. Its name translates into English as “frog lake“. It lies at an elevation of approximately 815m above sea level. It is, even by Welsh standards, tiny……. but still large enough to paddle!

Well done to Pete and his team, such a great achievement. Good to see Hatha on the map again! Its all about having your own adventure no matter how long or small its being out there and doing it, making it happen, be safe and go explore!

What type of leash are you getting with your board?

There are some amazing deals out there on full package isups, well the price looks amazing but what are you actually getting for your money?

On most occasions when something looks to good to be true it usually is. Take isup packages, included in the price is usually the paddle, leash, pump, fin, bag and repair kit included. But how comes the deal is so good?

Here at Hatha we can place our hand on our heart and say that we provide the best quality products we possibly can for the price. This high quality runs throughout all of our products from our beanie hats to our paddleboards. We think of everything and would only sell the best possible products to our customers.

Let’s look at our leash……

So we know that our leashes look good but are they safe and practical as well?

The main coiled cord is constructed from high grade urethane which makes it extremely strong and durable. The metal joints are made from marine grade stainless steel with double swivel joints to allow the leash to move freely (anti twist). The ankle strap is double padded for extra comfort and has an inner anti slip neoprene pattern so it sits firmly on the ankle.

We have designed a prominent colour coded quick release pull, very important on moving water if you need to detach quickly. This is also very useful if you have cold hands. Its easy to see and even easier to pull.

We have double stitched the webbing and material throughout making them not only extremely safe but also highly durable and robust.

We have also added a secure inner key pocket!

Paddle with confidence! Always wear a leash!

 

 

Let’s talk SUP leashes!

Why do you need to wear a leash?

A leash could save your life! It’s the only thing that connects you to your board. If you were ever to fall into the water its surprising how far away from the board you can actually fall, especially if there is a current or slight wind. Swimming after your board in any condition isn’t fun

Here at Hatha we recommend that use coiled leashes for flat water and race, this prevents snagging and drag.  In surf conditions you should always wear a straight leash, this gives distance from you and the board, the last thing you want when being wiped out is a paddle board on the head.

We recommend a leash about the same length or a foot longer than your board. This is more important rule to follow in the surf. There a couple of different attachment points to the body, the ankle or just below the knee. Some flat water paddlers prefer the leash strap just below the knee, whilst most SUP surfers prefer an ankle attachment.

White water or moving water is slightly different. It can sometimes be more hazardous than surf. You must always be able to get to your leash quickly and remove it quickly in the event of a snag or getting trapped. Sometimes you may be under the water when you need to detach yourself from your board. We suggest using a coiled leash that is attached through a quick release belt attached to your buoyancy aid. Always check with the operating instructions of the type of buoyancy aid that you have and how to use it. It’ always a good idea to get use to using the quick release strap/belt in controlled conditions.

ALWAYS Wear a Leash, it Will Save Your Life

New for 2019 is our patented Cario System! Featured on all of our premium thermo fusion technology constructed boards. It allows the board to be carried via the shoulder rather than by one hand on the centre handle. The centre handle will still be there, this is simply another option. There are either two or four reinforced marine graded D-rings attached to the board (depends which board). This system allows the board weight to be easily distributed over the shoulder rather than the wrist, making carrying the board easier and can be carried for longer! Freeing your hands to carry your paddle, bag or what ever else you may be taking to the water! It is fully adjustable, super strong and features a neoprene non-slip material to keep the pad firmly in position. The Cario System….. making life that bit easier!

The long term forecast for this year was going to be HOT, HOT and HOT. But the morning of the event proved us all wrong with a good 2-3 hours of heavy rain and thunder storms! It was still quite warm though according to Pete. The last 5 miles were ridden with a partially flat tyre, “I wasn’t going to stop for it then” – good theory! Pete did an all time best time this year scoring gold- well done Pete! For those of you who haven’t heard about it and wouldn’t mind having a go –

Established in 2007, the Dartmoor Classic has grown in popularity, attracting cyclists from around the world.

The Dartmoor Classic Sportive is a cycling challenge, organised by the Mid-Devon Cycling Club and registered with British Cycling. The organising committee are all club volunteers who share a passionate for cycling. The inaugural event took place from Abbrook Park Sports & Social Club in May 2007. Since then, the event has gone from strength to strength. By 2013 the Dartmoor Classic had outgrown its original home and was moved to its current location at Newton Abbot Racecourse. Now, with a sell out field of 4,000, the Dartmoor Classic is widely recognised as the most prestigious open-road Sportive in the UK, attracting cyclists from around the world.

The Dartmoor Classic offers you choice of three routes:

• The Grande (107 miles / 173 km)
• The Medio (68 miles / 110 km)
• The Piccolo (38 miles / 62 km)

Every cyclist participating in the Dartmoor Classic can be confident that they will be fully supported from start to finish.

Prior to commencing their ride, each participant is issued with a unique ‘Rider Number’ and ‘Disposable Timing Chip’. These are used to identify the cyclists participating in the event and to record when they start and finish. There are also timing check points along the routes that are used to monitor the riders progress.

All routes are clearly signed and marshaled. Route maps are given to every participant and electronic routes are available to download in a variety of formats for those with GPS enabled bike computers.

At our Welcome Village we have mechanics available to help should you find you have a problem with your bike when you arrive. There are also cycling retail stands where you will be able to purchase essential kit items should you find that you have forgotten to pack them.

Once you have commenced your ride, we will have mechanics, medics, and support crews patrolling the course. You will also have our emergency contact number (on the rear of your rider number) and you can use this to contact us for assistance should the need arise.

Each route has well stocked feed stations offering drinks and a wide range of quality foods and specialist energy products.

There are also professional sports photographers out on the course who will take your photo as a memento of your day with us (photos are optional and not included as part of your entry fee).

When you finish your ride you will go through the reception hall where you will be given your finish time and medal. You will then pass through to the event village where you will be able to pick up your ‘Goody Bag’ and other Event Mementos. A Gold, Silver or Bronze medal will be awarded to you in accordance with the age and gender category standards for your chosen route. These times can be viewed on the respective route information pages.

Our Welcome Village offers live music, entertainment, food, drink, and a range of retail stands for the enjoyment of you and your family. This is open on the Saturday afternoon, during registration, and on the Sunday of the event.