Wild river yonder

SOMETIMES I claim to be a wild swimmer, throwing caution and everything else to the wind and the weather, and striding into lakes, rivers and the sea whatever the time of year.

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Sometimes, however, as right now, I’d rather be tucked up by a log fire thinking about wild swimming, but happily not doing it.

What does the ‘wild’ in wild swimming actually mean? Does it have to involve cold water? I think not. Does a plunge count or should the activity involve several strokes and a few minutes of immersion? I think it should. And how wild does wild have to be? Are we simply talking about swimming in the great outdoors in fresh or salty water or should there be a frisson of risk or danger to make the swim truly wild?

I don’t necessarily subscribe to the latter as de rigueur, but, looking back over some of the swims I’ve experienced, one does fit neatly into the truly wild category.