Cold water swimming is growing in popularity among women, but more support is needed to make many wild swimming sites in the UK safer and more accessible, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. The research, published in Women's Health , explored the habits of women who enjoy cold water swimming and was carried out in collaboration with researchers from the University of Portsmouth, University of Sussex, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, University of Plymouth and Bournemouth University. The team surveyed 1,114 women in the UK aged 16 to 80 years old in 2022 and found that most women who participated in wild swimming usually did so in the sea (64.
4%) and the majority (89%) swam all year around. The women surveyed stated that they swam for longer in the summer, with the most common length of time being 30–60 minutes (48.2%).
However, in the winter, a majority of swims lasted between 5–15 minutes (53.8%). Earlier this year, the same survey revealed that menopausal women who regularly swim in cold water report significant improvements to their physical and mental symptoms.
It was also found to improve menstrual symptoms. However, while there are many benefits to the sport, there are also risks that can be exacerbated by the swimming environment. Lead author, Professor Joyce Harper (UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health) said, "One of the health risks linked to cold water swimming is the increased likelihood of gastroenteritis and other infections due to pol.