Do I need to be a strong swimmer to come on a SwimWild adventure or retreat?
Retreats tend to involve a couple of dips each day, with the option of some longer swims if temperatures/conditions allow. They are suitable for both beginners and more advanced swimmers, however, as these are swimming holidays, you do need to be able to swim, float and tread water in order to participate in group swims. Acclimation to cold water is also important in order for you to get the most out of your experience. There is never any pressure to swim far or fast. You can also choose to stay in shallow water, close to one of our swim guides, if you are worried about going out of your depth. Our retreats are perfect for people who just want to give it a go, enjoy the water and soak up the scenery while having a relaxing holiday in the Cairngorms National Park.
Our week-long adventure holidays involve more swimming and are suitable for more confident and experienced swimmers, although we still prioritise swimming in beautiful places over swimming long distances. We are happy for people to only participate in the shorter swims; however, if you would like to get the most out of your time on the trip, we recommend that you can swim 1km confidently and continuously in open water (this can be front-crawl or breaststroke). Longer swims may be available for those wanting to swim longer distances (depending on sea conditions).
Please note that our adventures and expeditions that involve swimming from a boat are often the most challenging, involving mostly sea swimming, sometimes in choppy conditions and often in deep water. You will also be required to climb in and out of the boat using a steep ladder, often straight into deep water. Experience of sea swimming is necessary before booking these types of trips.
Please see the individual trip pages for more information on that particular holiday. Please do contact us if you have any questions.
I’m just a dipper, can I come too?
Yes, absolutely! Our retreats are perfect for people who just want to dip, although there is the opportunity for longer swims, too, if temperatures/conditions allow.
It is also possible to join one of our adventure holidays if you only want to dip, as long as you are aware that you will have to miss some of the longer swims. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Do I need to swim front crawl? I can only swim head-up breaststroke. Is that OK?
For our retreats, head-up breaststroke is absolutely fine – you’ll end up seeing more of the spectacular scenery, you won’t get brain freeze, and you can wear a woolly hat while swimming! What’s not to like?!
On our week-long adventure holidays, you do not need to be able to swim front crawl, although you may get more out of the longer swims if you can. Strong breaststroke swimmers are always welcome.
Please see the individual trip pages for more information on that particular holiday. Please do contact us if you have any questions.
How far do I need to be able to swim? Do I need to be able to swim a certain distance before I come?
There are no set swim distances on our retreats – we simply require that you can swim, float and tread water before you join a trip. Acclimation to cold water is also important in order for you to get the most out of your experience. We will mostly be dipping, with the option of longer swims if temperatures/conditions allow. Beginners are very welcome.
For our adventure holidays, we are happy for people to only participate in the shorter swims; however, if you would like to get the most out of your time on the trip, we recommend that you can swim 1km confidently and continuously in open water (this can be front-crawl or breaststroke). Longer swims may be available for those wanting to swim longer distances (depending on sea conditions).
Please see the individual trip pages for more information on that particular holiday. Please do contact us if you have any questions.
I’m worried that I will be at the back. What if I’m too slow?
Speed doesn’t matter; it’s definitely not a race!
We usually have at least two qualified swim guides on our adventure holidays and swim retreats. One of the guides normally stays at the back of the group, so you will never get left behind.
On boat-based adventure trips, we usually stagger swim starts – either setting off slower swimmers first or dropping them off a little bit later in the swim (so they don’t need to swim quite so far) – that way everyone can enjoy the swim at their own pace and still finish at roughly the same time.
Do I have to take part in all the swims?
No, not at all! Remember, this is your holiday – you can participate as much or as little as you want.
Can my non-swimming partner or friend come with me on the trip/retreat?
Yes, of course. All of our trips and retreats take place in spectacular parts of Scotland, and there’s always plenty to do, even if you don’t fancy getting into the water. You never know, though. We might even tempt them in for a dip!
Can I book a ‘private’ trip for just me and my friends?
While our fixed-date group swimming holidays and retreats are our main adventures, we can also occasionally set up private retreats or adventure holidays for self-contained groups on dates that suit you. Minimum numbers apply, and as a general rule, private group bookings require at least 6-12 months advanced notice.
Please contact us if you would like to book one of our trips as a private group.
Who comes on SwimWild trips and retreats?
We get a real mixture of people on SwimWild trips and retreats.
Each trip is typically made up of a mix of solo travellers, who have booked on their own, and pairs/groups of friends travelling together. Ages range from 18-80 but with the majority of people in the 35-65 age category.
We do tend to get a higher percentage of women on our holidays; however, none of the trips are exclusively for ‘women only’ – men are very welcome too!
