"I run a Northern sauna company - there are three things every wild swimmer should know"

As the weather warms, Yorkshire residents are looking for refreshing places to go wild swimming.

It’s a year-round wellness trend, but there is something about the sunshine that encourages swimmers to look for waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and beaches.

Aaron Parker, 36, has spent the past seven years helping people to connect with nature through retreats, wild saunas, and wild swimming.

His earliest memories include swimming in streams near Middleton-in-Teesdale.

“At the time it wasn't called wild swimming,” he said, “We were just like young lads having a swim.”

Having moved from South East London as a child, access to nature felt rare.

Later in his 20s, he revisited the benefits of cold water swimming and was inspired to launch The Conscious Self.

“A lot of people are getting into it,” explains Aaron, “I can understand why.”

However, while there are benefits to cold water swimming, Aaron also emphasises that swimmers need to know how to stay safe.

“It's called wild swimming for a reason, you know,” he says.

Understand the conditions

“If you're new to it, you don't just jump into a lake in the winter when it's freezing,” advises Aaron. “Find somewhere you’re comfortable with at the right time of year and build your tolerance up to the cold.”

Summer is an opportunity to dip your toes in. Find a location that has regular swimmers, no strong currents, and positive reviews. Popular spots include Gaddings Dam, Ilkley’s River Wharfe, and Janet’s Foss.

Swim with others

One of the greatest dangers of wild swimming is getting into difficulty in the water. It is important to have help available if necessary.

“Go with a friend so you're never on your own,” says Aaron.

“Saunas are a great way to experience wild swimming,” says Aaron. He explains that communal sauna events use contrast therapy to allow swimmers to warm up between dips, with the added benefit of safety in numbers.

Know yourself

“Everybody's body's different,” Aaron says, “You've got to know yourself.”

He recommends that people with underlying health conditions seek medical advice before swimming in cold water. Aaron also explains the importance of breathwork control.

“The last thing you want to do is go in and get that cold water shock and inhale loads of water,” he says, “Practising some breathwork prior to the swim could be really beneficial.”

For anyone feeling cautious, it might be worth building confidence through supervised sessions.

The Conscious Self has wild sauna and swim experiences at Ellerton Lake.

As a first step, Ilkley Lido also has an unheated pool for supervised coldwater swimming.