The tide is turning for Marc West as he takes the plunge and investigates the benefits of a healthy swim in the open air

As the early morning sun struggled to illuminate the sky, I kicked off my espadrilles and gingerly tiptoed into the chilly water – the Jaws theme tune on repeat in my head.

Like many, I’ve never felt completely at ease in open water – especially thanks to Mr Spielberg. Mercifully, the largest marine life inhabiting this body of H2O is only a few native fish…oh, and the dozens of others (like me) who’ve sacrificed their Sunday breakfast in bed to enjoy a session of wild swimming.

I’d already performed near enough a contortion act to squeeze my goose-bumped body into the wetsuit. There’s no elegant way of doing so and it’s the first time I’ve had to ask someone to zip me up at the back.

My newly neoprene-d skin was ready to take the plunge, but I’ll admit it wasn’t the Baywatch moment I’d been hoping for. As I dipped below the surface to let the 19-degree water in around my neck I shrieked like a girl. With cap and goggles in place I was ready to go, but not being a strong swimmer I was worried my nerves would get the better of me – Hinksey Pool this is not.

Out in the Oxfordshire countryside, Queenford Lake, near Berinsfield, feels like it could be in another country – on this particular day, a windswept Nordic fjord perhaps. With Red Kites swirling on the thermals overhead, moorhens dipping near the banks and even a lucky kingfisher flitting through the wind in the willows, I soon relaxed – and found it to be a most liberating experience (once I’d warmed up).

Sadly, outdoor public bathing areas like Oxford’s own Parson’s Pleasure have long since closed, but the tide is turning and open swimming like this is once again being appreciated by those on the quest for a reconnection to nature, inner peace and some remarkably beautiful views too.

Even city slickers are finding the call of the wild irresistible and making the splash – flushing the body with endorphins and providing important moments of calm. Quite simply, it makes you feel alive!

Of all the many colourful caps bobbing around in the sparkling water some are Ironman enthusiasts, a couple training for cross Channel challenges, but many (like me) are just here for the sheer exhilaration – which pays dividends in return for the ghastly early rise. It’s hard work in the choppy water, but beats thrashing out boring lengths at an overcrowded pool any day.

I manage two loops of 300m each around the pink buoys before doggy paddling myself back to the little sandy ‘beach’ at the shore. After a scalding hot shower, I enjoy the best cuppa I’ve had in ages whilst swapping training tips with this welcoming bunch back in the clubhouse.

And the best bit? It was still only 10am – leaving time to swing past the nearby car boot salebefore settling down to a decent roast.

TRY IT
Queensford Lakes near Berinsfield opens at 7am every Sunday throughout the summer. £5 for a two-hour supervised session.
Visit: owsc.co.uk