#1 - ‘Going Wild’ @ Eel Pool, Stainforth, North Yorkshire [Aug 2022]

Eel Pool, Stainforth (Yorkshire Dales)

August 2022

I signed up for a Wild Swimming class. I'm not outdoorsy. And I hate the cold with a passion. Plus I have a fear of what might be 'under water....'

But I signed up for a Wild Swimming Class.

I pulled in to the recommended car park. I couldn't see the instructor (identity only according to his website photo) or anyone who looked like they were going 'Wild Swimming', whatever that looks like. I went to the cabin toilet for a nervous wee. 

What would a Wild Swimmer do?

I saw a wooden signpost pointing to a public footpath and followed it. Walked past a couple who had a young child, inflatables and a cool box - on their way back to the car park. The kid was shivering. 

Came across a group of around ten adults. I was the youngest and that felt embarrassing. 'The Dales Dipper' appeared. Reminded me of our Outdoor Ed teacher at high school. It's the easy confident perma tan that outdoorsy people have all year round. I'm jealous of it. 

We set off walking. No more than 5 min walk to 'Eel Pool' he said. 

Excuse me? 'Eel' Pool?

We paused at the 'tourist spot'. Cute little water falls and kids jumping in left right and center without a second thought. Picnics, family dogs and colourful plastic watering cans. I spotted a rope swing hanging limp from a tree. There was some talk of salmon making their way up stream after heavy rain in Spring.

'Eel' Pool though?

A bit further down and he got out a rope. We were to climb down to the 'pool'.

We all found a spot and tentatively stripped down to our chosen swim wear. I was glad that I'd decided against the wetsuit. No one else was wearing one. 

But then he mentioned the possibility of mink alongside the eel...

I just didn't want to feel anything brush up against my skin. 

The Dales Dipper explained why the water was brown and talked about health and safety, blue green algae, Gastroenteritis, cold water shock and Wiles Disease. Good chat. 

So we stood in a brave line on the 'shelf' up by the edge of the water...

One by one, left to right, we eased our bodies in. Feet first. Bottoms shuffling. Lowering ourselves in slowly. Yes...it was freezing. 

The actual 'swim' was a blur. Once submerged he told us it was deep in the middle (which made me feel sick) and we gradually made our way over to the other side, then again a little swim along to a tree, a group photo, and then a relieved return back to where we'd started off. It felt like minutes. The water felt like ice on my skin but there was some surprising intermittent warmth. 

We were given the opportunity to 'dive' in once out. From a known safe spot. I watched some of the others. Their exhilaration was catching. 

I was glad of my new changing robe. And after a while...despite having gratefully felt the warmth of the sunshine as I'd left the water, the extra layers that we had been encouraged to bring felt non negotiable. The fact that I'd drunk the entire flask of hot coffee on the journey instead of saving it for it's intent and purpose, felt reckless.   

The Dales Dipper had brought brownies, baked by his wife. They were amazing. I decided that bringing a baked good along for the aftermath of a cold water swim was a tradition worth upholding. 

I guess that thought meant that I was planning to do it again sometime...???