Eversholt Swimming Pool
Cold Swim
Cold Swim
New for 2026 - COLD SWIMS!
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Cold Water Swimming Benefits
Cold water swimming is said to offer a powerful mix of mental health boosts, physical recovery, and metabolic advantages.
The below information is an AI overview, taken from a Google search, which includes links to the information.
🧠 Mental Health & Brain Function
- Elevates mood: Cold exposure triggers a massive release of neurotransmitters, including a 200% to 300% spike in norepinephrine and a sustained increase in dopamine. This chemical surge provides the characteristic post-swim "glow" and mental clarity. [1, 2]
- Builds stress resilience: Plunging into cold water activates your "fight-or-flight" response. Regular exposure trains your autonomic nervous system to better manage cortisol and adapt to everyday life stressors. [1, 2]
- Eases depression and anxiety: Emerging clinical studies, including research highlighted by BBC News and trials at the University of Portsmouth, indicate that supervised outdoor swimming can significantly reduce symptoms of clinically diagnosed depression. [1, 2]
- Neuroprotective potential: Preliminary scientific observations suggest that cooling the brain may stimulate protective responses that could help slow down cognitive conditions like dementia. [1, 2]
💪 Physical Recovery & Circulation
- Reduces muscle soreness: Athletes frequently use cold immersion because it constricts blood vessels, which lowers the inflammatory processes causing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). (Note: Avoid cold plunging immediately after resistance training if your main goal is building muscle size, as it can blunt muscle hypertrophy). [1, 2, 3]
- Alleviates chronic pain: The cold acts as a natural numbing agent on nerve endings, while the natural buoyancy of water unloads pressure from the joints, offering temporary relief for conditions like arthritis. [1, 2]
- Vascular training: The rapid constriction of blood vessels in the cold, followed by dilation during rewarming, acts as a workout for your circulatory system, potentially improving long-term blood flow. [1, 2]
🔥 Metabolism & Immunity
- Activates "good" brown fat: Cold temperatures stimulate Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT). Unlike regular white fat, brown fat actively burns glucose and fatty acids to generate body heat, which revs up your baseline metabolism. [1, 2, 3]
- Improves blood sugar markers: Activating brown fat stores has been linked to enhanced insulin sensitivity, helping the body manage blood sugar more effectively. [1]
- Immune support: Regular cold water swimmers often report fewer seasonal illnesses. Studies suggest that frequent, brief cold immersion can stimulate the production of infection-fighting white blood cells. [1, 2]
Introduction sessions
If you haven't tried cold swimming before, please do come along to an introduction with Tasha or Linzi.
They'll talk you through the benefits of cold swimming, discussing the risks too and how to ensure you stay safe.
They'll bring along some clothing options to show you.
You'll then get into the pool and have your first cold swim!
Pool temperature
Our pool is lightly heated through Winter, the temperature is between 12-15℃.
Safety
Safety is the most critical factor when starting cold water swimming, as the human body reacts intensely to low temperatures. By taking the right precautions, you can minimize the risks of cold water shock and hypothermia while maximizing the health benefits.
The below information is an AI overview, taken from a Google search, which includes links to the information.
🏊♂️ Entering the Water
- Acclimatize slowly: Getting in gradually is vital. Never dive, jump, or plunge straight into cold water. Doing so can trigger the involuntary gasp reflex (cold water shock), causing you to inhale water.
- Control your breathing: As the water hits your chest, your breathing will speed up naturally. Stand still, focus on taking slow, deep, forced exhalations, and wait for your breathing to calm down before you start swimming.
- Keep your head up: Keep your head out of the water on your first few swims. The face and head have highly sensitive nerve endings that amplify the shock response.
⏱️ While Swimming
- Keep it short: Limit your first few swims to a few minutes. A common rule of thumb for beginners is no more than one minute per degree of water temperature (e.g., 10 minutes in 10°C water)—but listen to your body over any timer.
🧥 Getting Out and Rewarming
- Get out before you feel cold: If you start shivering or your fingers feel stiff, you have stayed in too long. Exit the water while you still feel okay.
- Beware the "Afterdrop": Your core body temperature continues to drop for about 20–30 minutes after you leave the water, as cold blood from your limbs returns to your core. You will feel colder 10 minutes after getting out than you did in the water.
- Dry off and layer up immediately: Remove wet swimwear quickly. Dress in warm, loose clothing (like a fleece or oversized parka) and a woolly hat. Loose clothes are easier to put on when your fingers lose dexterity.
- Warm up gently: Drink a warm flask of tea or hot chocolate and walk around to generate natural muscle heat. Do not take a hot shower or bath straight away, as rapidly warming the skin can cause your blood pressure to drop dangerously.
What to wear in the pool
If you're an experienced cold swimmer, you can wear what you usually do. Wetsuits are fine. Please ensure all swimwear is fully cleaned after open water swimming.
Start with your usual swimwear and see how you get on. Wear a hat - a normal wooly hat is the best option. You might want to add some gloves or booties, neoprene is a good option.
Surfing wetsuits aren't suitable for cold water swimming, so if you find you need a wetsuit then find a cold swimming option.
What to wear after your swim
Bring a second hat, so it's dry and warm.
Make sure clothes are easy to put on, nothing fiddly that might be difficult with cold hands.
Bring a warm coat. Warm layers.
We have blankets in the dome, and hot water bottles available.
After your swim
Our showers are warm, not hot, as it's important to warm up from the inside and not just heat your skin quickly in a hot shower.
There are hairdryers in both changing rooms, and our changing rooms are now heated.
Our new dome is heated and ready to enjoy, sit down and warm up before heading home.
Hot drinks and snacks are advised to help your body warm up from the inside out. We have lovely organic coffee, various teas, and hot chocolate available at the kiosk.
About cold swim sessions:
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Swim time 45 minutes
Time in the pool up to 45 minutes
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You can only enter the premises at the session start time, to allow the previous session to exit
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Time after your swim to shower, and warm up with a hot drink.
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Warming Up
It's really important to warm up again after cold swimming.
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We have a beautiful new dome, complete with heating and chairs. Sit and enjoy a coffee and chat.
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We also have blankets and hot water bottles.
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Swimmers
A maximum of 10 swimmers in each session - usually 8.
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All swimming abilities welcome.
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We will usually put a lane or two in, this is just to allow swimmers to swim at different speeds to allow them to keep warm.
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Lifeguard
A lifeguard will be on duty for your session.
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Cold swimming is more risky than our usual swimming sessions. Please look out for each other and report any concerns to the lifeguard.
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Kiosk
Snacks and drinks available, card or cash payments.
Tea, coffee & hot chocolate
Crisps
Cans and bottles
Chocolate bars
Pot noodles
Hot porridge
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Help keep our pool clear
Please help us keep our pool beautifully clear by:
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Ensuring swimwear, particularly if you swim in the sea / lakes is clean before using in the pool.
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Showering before entering the pool
Help keep our pool clean and safe
- Please shower before entering the pool, it helps us to keep it clean and clear!
- If you're using sun screen, please apply it at least 30 minutes before entering the pool. It gives it time to absorb so it doesn't wash straight off and cloud the pool.
- No smoking anywhere on the pool premises.
- No glasses or glass bottles.
Terms & Conditions
Car Park
- The car park is available for customers and staff. Please park responsibly with respect to others.
- The parking spaces for disabled users may only be used by those with impaired mobility.
Entry to the pool
- The gates will be closed before the first session and in between sessions.
- Customers may enter the gate at the start time of their session. Prior to the session start time, customers will be asked to wait outside.
- No person who is not a booked customer or staff member may enter through the gates without the permission of pool staff.
- On opening, a staff member will open the gate to allow booked customers into the pool.
- You will need to check in with the staff at the kiosk, you will need to give your name or any other details needed to find your booking.
- If there is no one in the kiosk, please wait for a staff member.
- At the end of a session, customers are encouraged to leave the Lido promptly to allow the next session to start.
- After a session has been completed, customers for the next session may not be allowed entry to the main premises until the time of their booked session.
The kiosk shop
- Our kiosk staff are minors - treat them with respect and patience.
- Access behind the counter will only be permitted to members of staff.
- The sells hot and cold drinks, snacks, pot noodles and of course, ice creams!
- Customers are asked to make payments by card if possible. Cash can be accepted if card is not available.
The changing rooms & toilets
- The changing rooms are for customer use.
- Children under the age of 8 should not enter the changing rooms without an accompanying adult or parent.
- Customers are encouraged to bring any issues regarding the changing rooms to the attention of Lido Staff.
- Toilets in the changing rooms can be used outside of your session, if you stay for a picnic etc.
The Disabled Toilet
- The disabled toilet is for those with disabilities or impaired mobility, and other users should request permission to use it from a member of staff.
Booking, sessions & prices
- The General Sessions will be limited to no more than 55 swimmers in the pool, 45 booked swimmers and up to 10 season ticket holders.
- Advance booking is strongly advised, and swimmers who attend without having booked a session will only be admitted to a session if there are spaces available.
- Bookings will only be accepted from those over the age of 18.
- Prices are listed on the booking pages for each type of session.
- Season Tickets / Memberships are sold at the start of the season, if there are any left they'll be on the website.
- Any individuals under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an Adult. Any children entering the water must be supervised - please see our rules for more information on child to adult ratios.
Admissions
- Admission to the pool does not entitle customers to clear swimming space; this may not be possible when the pool is busy.
- Should the pool be required to close earlier than scheduled, refunds will only be provided upon production of evidence of purchase of an admission ticket and only when the customer has had use of less than 50% of the session.
- Customers required to leave the facility as a consequence of breaches of Terms and Conditions or pool rules shall have no right to a refund.
- At the end of a session, the pool must be vacated, and all users must leave the premises.
Booking cancellations and rescheduling
- Bookings cancelled by the Pool are non-refundable with the exception of adverse weather where the pool has to close. We will offer a different date where possible.
- Any customer wishing to reschedule a booking must do so more than 48 hours before the commencement of the session. This can be done via your booking email.
- Cancellations where you require a refund, must be done more than 10 days before your booking date.
Safety
- The directions of lifeguards and staff MUST be followed at all times.
- Running or rough play should not occur anywhere on the grounds or in the pool.
- Diving is not permitted at any time, the pool is not deep enough for it to be safe.
- Children under 16 should be accompanied by adults at all times - please see our rules page for specific supervision rules.
- Pool users must maintain decorum at all times.
- Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed entry to the pool and for the avoidance of doubt, alcohol or drugs MUST NOT be consumed on the premises.
- Smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
- Glass is not permitted on site at any time.
- The use of swim toys and water paraphernalia is at the discretion of lifeguards and staff. No snorkels.
- Any children who are weak or non-swimmers must wear suitable recommended buoyancy aids, stay in close contact with the supervising adult and remain in the shallow end at all times.
- Babies, children under 3 and non swimmers, must be supervised in the pool with an adult 1:1.
- Children aged 3 - 8 who can swim competently, must be supervised in the pool to a minimum of one adult to two children.
- Children between 8-16 who can swim competently, must be supervised by an adult, but the adult doesn't have to enter the pool.
- Suitable and recognised buoyancy aids are as follows: Inflatable or Disc Armbands and Life Jackets (Woggles and Kickboards are teaching aids and should not be used as a recognised buoyancy aid).
- Inflatables should be of modest size and permission must be gained from the lifeguards prior to use.
- No acrobatics are permitted.
- Sessions will not run during a thunder storm.
- Customers may bring and consume their own refreshments (subject to any restriction expressed herein). Barbeques are not permitted, even on the rec.
- Customers may not bring their own chairs, parasols etc into the pool area, but you're welcome to bring them to the recreation ground.
Hygiene
- To ensure optimum water quality, sun protective creams and lotions must be applied at least 30 minutes (preferably 60) before entering the pool. Sun protective creams and lotions that have not absorbed into the skin will wash off and affect the water quality.
- The Pool reserves the right to refuse entry to the pool until the user has allowed sunscreens to have absorbed into the skin.
- Customers with any open sores, wounds, openings, transmittable diseases, inflamed eyes, cold, eye or nasal discharge or any inflammations must not enter the Pool.
- Customers should not swim for at least 48 hours after suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea. Swimmers should not swim for 14 days after diarrhoea symptoms have stopped if they have been told they may have cryptosporidiosis or Giardia.
- Swim suits or wet suits must be worn in the water. Street clothes are not acceptable.
- All customers are asked to shower before entering the pool.
- Children who are not toilet trained or incontinent adults, must wear swim nappies that have a snug fit. Swim nappies are available free of charge at the kiosk.
- Food and beverages may not be consumed in the water.
- Pets are not allowed in the premises with the exception of service animals.
Security
- Customers should keep all valuables secure. The Pool cannot be held liable for loss of any valuables or other personal property left at the swimming pool premises.
- Photography is not permitted at any time. If customers wish to take photos, prior permission must be gained from the trustees or the General Manager.
General
- The staff shall be entitled to require any user to leave the premises and exclude any person from the premises in the event of any breach of these terms and conditions without refunding any payment made. Customers are encouraged to bring any breach of these rules to the attention of lifeguards or staff.
- The pool is for everyones enjoyment, if your swim is being affected by other users please let staff know so they can help.