Making the Most of Your Blue Spaces

• Posted on 28 September 2023
• By Izzy Sibley
• Posted in Blue Spaces, Boylos Watersports, Buoyancy Aid, Inflatable Sup Packages, Open Water Swimming, Sea Swimming, Stand Up Paddleboards, SUPing, Wild Swimming
• 0

Blue Spaces: Outdoor spaces man made or in nature that are dominated by water.

With the importance of mental health very much in the spotlight at the moment, there is no doubt that making the most of the blue spaces near you will bring a boost to your mood and state of mind. Blue spaces are commonly known as any place with an expanse of water, whether that’s the coast, lakes, waterfalls or even fountains. It’s obvious that they have a therapeutic vibe about them, whether it’s the stunning scenery they so often come with, or simply allowing you to experience the soothing sound of running water. They not only help us to recalibrate but also reflect.

It’s not surprising that during lockdowns and the restrictions on movement we have all experienced over the last 2 years, the UK’s blue spaces have been our escape, seeing record numbers of visitors in our parks, national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We have had an influx of a whole new kind of customer over the last 2 years; the open water/wild swimmer. Seeing the rise in numbers of those ‘taking the plunge’ has been fantastic. We are thoroughly enjoying their stories of how and why they began and the benefits they are seeing from it. It has also been awesome to see the rise in the interest in stand up paddle boarding, the most accessible board sport. With more people staying in the UK this year we saw a significant rise in numbers of those getting out on the water whether it was buying their own sups or joining one of our lessons.

If you have been tempted into the water or are thinking of giving it a go, it’s useful to know a few things.

• Remember open water can be dangerous, it’s important to read conditions before you get in. If currents or winds look too strong, they probably are.
• Never swim alone and always let someone know your route and when you plan to be back.
• Don’t dive or jump in. A sudden shock of cold water can cause your body to go into shock. Its best to enter the water gradually and regulate your breathing.
• Don’t spend too much time in the water, know your body’s limits.
• After your swim, make sure you have warm dry kit to layer on and warm up gradually. Don’t jump straight into a hot shower. A hot drink can help a lot.
• If you are swimming in a potentially busy body of water its always useful to get a brightly coloured swim hat or tow float to ensure your visibility.

Hot Tub Hidways  Swimming Guide

For more helpful tips and advice why not click on this link to the Hot Tub Hidways Cold Water Swimming in the UK: A Beginner’s Guide & Where to Go.

This covers lots of amazing info such as:

• Cold water swimming and its benfits to to the body
• Top safety and cold swimming checklist for beginners
• The best go-to places for cold water swimming in the uk 

Here is a list of a few useful bits of kit you may need;

• Wetsuits
• Neoprene Gloves
• Neoprene Socks
• Neoprene Boots
• Neoprene Hood
• Beanies
• Dryrobe
• Towel Robe
• Hot Drinks Flask
• Swimsuits
• Swim Shorts
• Swim Caps
• Tow Float

• ALWAYS wear a buoyancy aid. Yes they may be a bit cumbersome and at times restrictive but they save lives
• ALWAYS Check the wind conditions. The RNLI are regularly called out to inflatables pushed out to sea by the wind. You can check using websites such as windy.com.
• Make sure your board is pumped up to a minimum of 15psi to make sure your board is nice and rigid.
• Before pumping, make sure the valve is untwisted and springy under your finger else you will have a bit of a surprise when you pull out your pump hose.
• When looking for a Sup, make sure any inflatable you look at is either ‘double lined’ or ‘double chambered’ this ensures the boards rigidity and durability. Any that cannot guarantee this may puncture easily or banana in the water when you are on it.

• Inflatable Sup Package
• Buoyancy Aid

Regularly getting in the water can bring some serious health benefits. We recommend it to anyone tempted and who knows, it might change your life!

Here are some more tips on how to keep safe in the water!