'Jump in!' says Eastbourne sea swimming group

Eastbourne Sea Dippers is one of a number of all-year round sea swimming groups in the Eastbourne area.

Ferga Robinson, who set up the group, said: “We are a disparate group of mostly women – according to research about 65 per cent of year round sea swimmers are women – but don’t let that put you off, lads! Jump in!

"Whatever the temperature of the Eastbourne sea, it is usually at least about 20 degrees lower than body temperature – much lower in the winter – which compels the swimmer into the present in a totally absorbing multi-sensory way which powerfully brings us into living in the moment.”

Ferga said there are ‘innumerable’ academic studies confirming the physical and mental health impacts of open water swimming.

She added: “Research also points to swimmers experiencing a profound sense of achievement, belonging and self efficacy.

“Swimming with others facilitates social connectedness, friendships, community, by bringing people together, providing a sense of belonging as well as offering a sense of purpose and identity, achievement, safety, encouragement, resilience and supporting others.”

Sea swimming also helps participants to ‘feel at one with nature’, according to Ferga. The Dippers have experienced the ‘joy and beauty’ of sunrises and sunsets, and have shared the water with sea birds, seals and, most recently, a humpbacked whale.

Ferga describes the Dippers as a ‘loose group of likeminded people’.

There are no membership fees and ‘no rules other than kindness to each other’.

Anyone interested in joining in can contact Ferga on: 07957 651546.