Wild Swimming & Dipping Guiding
in the
Yorkshire Dales & Lake District & Across the UK
Wild swimming in the Yorkshire Dales
I offer fun, friendly, relaxed and safe wild swimming guiding services to wild swimming groups and individuals of all abilities looking to explore and experience the gorgeous Yorkshire Dales, Lake District (and across the UK). Book via the booking page. I also organise regular wild swimming festivals across the UK, find out more about these here
The places I swim and work in are areas of outstanding natural and rugged beauty with some of the best waterfalls, rivers and lake swimming and dipping in the UK. Truly breath-taking.
About Me
I have lived in the Yorkshire Dales National Park for 10 years and in Yorkshire for 19 years, I am a roaming soul and travel and swim in the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Scotland and beyond. I moved to the Yorkshire Dales before I had discovered the joy of wild swimming. I originally hail from Cheltenham, south west UK.
I had worked for many years as a joiner and decorator prior and now I am a full time guide and wild swimming festival organiser.
I began wild swimming approximately 6 years ago after a decorating job took me, daily, past a beautiful stretch of water, and each day it caught my eye, twinkling in the sunshine. On the final day of that job, I decided I would bring my shorts and go for a swim after my work. Little did I realise how much that swim would positively impact me and change the direction of my life. It was awesome and that day, my mojo & fervour for life returned! Despite the cold, I was ecstatic for hours afterwards. The following day, I returned and spent the day picnicking and swimming. Since then I have swum regularly, often joined by friends, swimming through all seasons and during most weathers.
Fast forward several years and I personally have completed thousands of swims & dips in various locations with the majority being in the Dales, Lakes and Scotland. There is rarely a day I don’t swim and often, more than once.
The obvious progression for me was to turn this watery passion into my daily work as a swimming guide and event organiser, such is my delight in this wonderful, healthy & happy hobby. I love to share this wonderful hobby and these beautiful parts of the UK with others. I hold a Royal Life saving Society qualification and an award for emergency outdoors first aid, all of which are updated as required.
I’ve been very lucky to welcome groups and individuals from all over the UK to swim with me in stunning places with many returning again and again.
I founded the FB group ‘The Dales Dippers - Wild Swimming’ and I also have a presence on Instagram @thedalesdipper and Facebook as well as training other guides who wish to take others to the water safely and professionally. I also organise and run a number of Wild swimming festivals throughout the UK each year.
Ready To Get Started?
Find out how to get wet in the Lakes, Dales and beyond.