DO YOU fancy trying cold water swimming, but don't know where to start?

Swim The Wight is a Community Interest Company run by three Level 2 STA open water swimming coaches with experience of sea swimming year-round.

One of its aims is to support people who want to sea swim and to do so as safely as possible.

Immersing your body in cold water, which can reach about 5C in February or March, when the sea temperature reaches its coldest, has numerous health benefits.

Isle of Wight County Press: Swim the Wight encourages cold water swimming.

Swim the Wight encourages cold water swimming.

But cold water shock can put people, unacclimatised, at risk of drowning due to inhalation of water through uncontrolled gasping.

Additionally cold shock can lead to heart problems due to the heart involuntarily working harder.

Hypothermia takes a little longer, occurring after 20 to 30 minutes and symptoms can be unpleasant and if left without intervention, can be dangerous.

Swim The Wight offers acclimatisation sessions to those who are new to cold water swimming.

The group wants to encourage people to take advantage of the health-giving benefits of open water swimming.

The acclimatisation sessions cover cold water shock, hypothermia, re-warming, hints and tips on what to do and what not to do, as well as information on topics such as tides and currents, safe entry and exit to the water and more.

Thanks to funding received through Energise Me, Swim The Wight is currently running two Sea Cafes on Saturdays, 10am in Yaverland and 1pm in Totland.

These are social swims, ideal for those new to sea swimming and wishing to build their confidence in the water, where you can meet other swimmers, form new friendships and put into practise what you have learnt during acclimatisation sessions.

They encourage you to get active, exercise, build resilience and improve your health, particularly important for post-Covid recovery.

Swim The Wight is currently planning its next series of courses, for the inexperienced sea swimmer, those wishing to improve their technique or wishing to take part in open water swimming events. See www.swimthewight.org.uk for details, or find the group on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @swimthewight