Outdoor swimmers take the plunge at Taplow Lakeside

More than 70 people saw out the old year with an icy dip in the cold waters of Taplow Lakeside on New Year's Eve.

Having broken the ice to swim the previous week, swimmers plunged into the chilly 6.5-degree water, with many travelling from as far afield as Hammersmith to take part in what's quickly becoming an annual tradition.

For some it was their first time swimming at Taplow Lakeside, while for others the sense of comradery and community of a group swim draws them back to Taplow again and again.

This was especially the case on Saturday where the swimmers, which included the Reading Bluetits swimming group, soaked up the après swim atmosphere of the Lakehouse Cafe, where they were able to warm themselves up with a hot drink.

Outdoor swimming at Taplow Lake started in 2020 and has since grown into a thriving community of keen, regular swimmers.

Reflecting on that growth, Lauren Sharp said: “The popularity of outdoor swimming is ever growing, and swimming at supervised venues such as Taplow Lakeside is a great way to get into the sport and stay safe, whilst also being part of a group of like-minded people.

“This year (2022) saw an especially unique swim, when the water reached a low of 2 degrees in December, causing the lake to freeze over.

“This didn’t stop regular swimmers who braved the broken ice, an ice swimming experience that is very unusual in the UK.

“The organisers at Taplow Lakeside go above and beyond to enable outdoor swimming to take place all year round.

“Through swimming at Taplow many individuals have gone on to complete impressive events, from cold water challenges to triathlons, distance swims and relays.

“One group swam the channel, another group swam for 24 hours non-stop, and an individual swam around Manhattan Island.”