Andy Butler is the founder, safety coordinator and open water swim coach to the Ice Warrior swim group at Welton Waters Adventure Centre in East Riding of Yorkshire. Open to everyone of all ages and abilities, the group provides safe open water swimming advice on techniques, safe areas, clothing and recovery.
Now over 10 years old, Ice Warriors has grown from 12 members on Facebook and Instagram to over a staggering 1200 with 40-50 people swimming on their Wednesday evening sessions.
Andy explains: “The atmosphere is family friendly, there are many health benefits involved both physical and mental, plus cake helps!”
The health benefits of open water swimming are significant including:
• Boosting the immune system
• Encouraging mindfulness
• A great form of Cardio
• As it is a low impact sport it can aid with joint and muscle pains
• Provides a sense of community
Andy adds: “A lot of our swimmers come in groups and use it as a social gathering and chat all the way round!
“Others come alone but can easily buddy up with others if they wish. Plus, there is plenty of space so you don’t keep bumping into other people if you just want some peace, unlike a pool or lido.”
Safety is of paramount importance to the Ice Warriors. Each swimmer will wear brightly coloured swim hats, use tow floats, as well as always having people on watch and safety crew out. They also tell new swimmers how to indicate they need help for example, floating on their backs (holding onto their tow floats) and to wave and shout. It is always encouraged that swimmers, unless they are training for an event, should swim with another person.
They have up to 6 safety kayakers on the water on their night swims as well as a safety boat on the water to ensure maximum safety. And a vhs radio is used to communicate with the safety crew.
The swimming group use a specific wristband system, where swimmers swap their swim cards for a wristband and back again when they get out. Their emergency contact details are on the back of this.
They are now also adding each member’s medical details onto their iPad system to ensure extra safety.
Andy stresses the importance of knowing the potential risks and that the temperature of both the water and the air are very important to consider for open water swimming and to do extra safety measures before entering water.
• Make sure you know the safe entry and exit points.
• If it’s a river, mark a safe exit point with a carrier bag or something else that can be seen from the water and remove it after your swim.
• Wear a wetsuit, neoprene gloves, socks and hats. (Make sure they’re bright!)
• If someone can’t be in the water swimming with you make sure they are watching you at all times to check your swim stroke isn’t slowing, your speech is normal, and your skin isn’t changing colour.
• Wear layers of oversized loose clothing including a woolly hat and gloves.
Andy stresses that after a swim you should get into a warm place: “When you get out the water you will shake but this is good as it’s your muscles working round your organs helping them to warm up.
“You also shouldn’t immediately have a hot shower, this is because you won’t know if you’re getting scalded, and your warm blood is leaving the organs that needed heat to go to your skin to cool it down.”
The Ice Warriors swim group have a medical room and changing rooms with heaters, along with a cafe (please note this is not always open on night swims) so their members can warm up afterwards.
They make sure everyone feels welcome, supported and most importantly safe in their group with volunteers who are always on hand to help. When beginning the swim, their shore-based safety coordinator, Gaye, advises which route is open and explains how to enter the water safety and what to do in case of an emergency. For newcomers, she asks that they swim to the 25 metres buoy and back to get used to the water.
Andy says his favourite part of his role at Ice Warriors is being in the open water helping: “Personally, I like to be in the water giving help to those who need it either with their swim stroke or swimming alongside new members to build their confidence.”
If someone is a new to the group he says they won’t feel like one for long with their friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
He explains: “Believe me if I say that although you might turn up knowing no one, by the time you leave you will have made new friends who have told you lots of little hints and tips to help you in your new swimming adventures.”
Find out more about Ice Warriors by joining their Facebook group here.
