Wild Swimming Canada's Pacific Coast With The Cold Water Addicts

Our latest Red photoshoot took us to Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada, where we met a truly inspiring bunch of wild swimmers called the Cold Water Addicts. Founding member Jan Simmons tells us more about these dedicated daily dippers.

When and why was Cold Water Addicts founded?

We became a Facebook group on 27th October 2021. However, our backstory began with two men (who had never dipped before) challenging each other to what started as seven consecutive days of dipping but grew into 100 days. It led them to the discovery of a small group of regular swimmers at Little Ross Bay (a more protected portion of the larger Ross Bay) in the city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, Canada.

They ‘advertised’ their challenge (and the location of their dips) on another Victoria Facebook group. This is how I came to them. I had a swim buddy but our dips were often spur of the moment and at all times of the day in order to fit into her very busy schedule. It meant that sometimes I would have to take an ice bath instead of a swim. I – and our group – strongly advocate never swimming alone, so I was looking for a group where I would always have a buddy, that offered a regular start time to plan my day around. This was perfect!

I was warmly welcomed the first time I joined them – and that warm welcome is a characteristic of our group to this day. The group was small but solid back then, and enthusiastic in what was a shared passion! As we would prepare, swim, and dress afterwards, we began to have conversations about wanting a name for our group, and a Facebook presence so others could find us. We also recognised a need to be able to connect with each other in case conditions dictated a last-minute change of beach. Luckily, one of the men was an IT expert so when our obvious ‘addiction’ to these cold swims formed our name – Cold Water Addicts – he got us up on Facebook and formed a chat for the group. We shifted to our current main beach after conditions one day forced us to choose a different spot. We fell in love with the Breakwater and have been there ever since.

Our site states that “we are a group of cold water addicts habitually swimming in the Salish Sea, off the coast of Vancouver Island. We strive to share our knowledge, skills and experience within our broader community”. I would add that we also share (without effort) our love and respect for this wild sport and the equally wild and stunningly beautiful waters and vistas.

To all who find themselves drawn to join us on the beach, I would offer a warning: expect bracingly cold waters, belly laughs that will shake you more than the shivers, a warm warm welcome that will wash over you like the waves, and instant immersion in a loving, caring, inclusive, amazing community.

How does the cold water make you feel?

Oh, so many feelings! The moment I immerse myself every muscle relaxes, and any tightness in the body and concerns in my mind just seem to slide off into the sea. I feel completely present and aware of all the sensations and beauty of my surroundings, above and below the surface. It is rare not to experience both a sense of wonder and awe.

I am now 73 with health issues, but as I swim, I feel exhilarated, strong, and full of well-being. At the risk of sounding airy-fairy the cold water experience always seems to elicit not just happiness, but a deep joy. And much of what I have just expressed comes out of the water with me and starts my day in a wonderful way.

What do you think about our Red EVO Pro Changing Robes?

They aren’t just changing robes – they’re game-changing robes for our year-round swimmers! It is truly a safety issue to have windproof, rainproof, warm robes to facilitate shedding wet swim gear immediately and getting into warm layers. It’s key to helping manage afterdrop and preventing hypothermia. One of the most repeated comments I hear and can affirm is how incredibly soft and cosy the lining is.

An added and fun plus is having such a choice of colourways. Our members love them!

How many swimmers are in your group?

At this time, we have over 2000 members throughout Canada, the USA, and around the world. Many folks from across Canada and other countries have joined us for swims when they’re in our neighbourhood. It’s been wonderful! We also have members who are curious about cold water swimming and may never put a toe in the water, but seem to enjoy following our adventures. Our main beach is along the popular sea walk, and many of the regular walkers are now our staunch supporters – but also don’t join us in the sea.

On a day-to-day basis, our number of swimmers can be four to 30, with some of our swims seeing 50! We swim at the same time every day so there are always swim buddies to keep an eye on you and ensure you leave the beach safely.

We are grateful for and appreciate all of our members. Each in their own way uplift us.

What does being part of such an inspiring group mean to you?

So much to say about this group. If you’re familiar with bull kelp seaweed, you may know that what’s effectively the root is called the ‘holdfast’. This attaches to rock to keep it safe and grounded in order to grow and thrive. It’s vital to the well-being of the whole kelp system and indeed the health of the ocean. Each of our members are like the holdfast – they directly contribute to the safety, the health, the growth, and the evolution of this group in the most wholesome of ways.

I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a kinder, more caring, generous, inclusive, welcoming, diverse, and warm-hearted bunch. Some of us are convinced cold water immersion brings out the best in us, creating ripples that envelop our fellow swimmers and splash ashore, touching everyone in our lives.

Our community exudes other traits each day as well. It takes strength, bravery, determination and courage to bare ourselves to the elements and extreme cold sea temperatures, but there is definitely strength in numbers and we support and inspire each other. We agree that after having done something so hard, at the start of our day, we have been gifted with a confidence that we have the strength and resilience to move through whatever the rest of the day brings.

Those of us who have been here from the beginning of the group marvel at how it has grown and continues to evolve. We are now a mix of everyone from non swimmers, bobbers, swimmers, distance swimmers, water joggers, snorkellers, freedivers, plus those who support us from dry land.

We share a love for our sea and other waters. I once heard: “If you love something you will care for it”. Our love of the sea and curiosity has led to educational Zooms to learn about all the creatures, plants, rocks, and how to protect them. Other educational Zooms teach us how to keep ourselves and each other safe. Many members have shared freely of their skills and talents to enhance our group offerings and enable the putting on of events (some of which have allowed us to give to wonderful causes).

Maybe most important is something that I think is probably as powerful as the strongest of currents that draws our members in and tucks us into its flow – we have fun! The sea has a magical effect of making us feel like children again. If you come upon us frolicking in the ocean or frantically getting dressed post swim, it’s the sound of laughter that I am sure will be most notable and has drawn so many to the group.

It’s impossible to adequately put into words what this group means to me. I will just say I have deep appreciation and gratitude for each and every member of this community. My life feels as big and wonderful as the Salish Sea we swim in – it is because of them.

Come join us! We promise cold water and the warmest of welcomes…

Where do you go swimming?

Our main beach is at the Breakwater (Driftwood Beach at Ogden Point in Victoria, BC, Canada). It is located at Dock Street and Dallas Road. We love it! It’s a fit for all: bobbers, water joggers, distance swimmers, snorkellers and freedivers.

The beach has little islets, kelp forests, plus a breakwater and sea wall to match and measure swimmers’ goals for distance, provide a rich environment for snorkellers, and stunning ever changing vistas both above and below the sea’s surface for all of us.

Monday through Saturday we get in at the Breakwater at 8am. The early swim time allows many to fit in a dip before their workday begins.

On Sundays we have two options, both include a post-swim gathering at a local café for hot drinks and goodies. The entry time for both swims is 8:30am. The first option is a swim at our main beach again. The second option is our Sunday ‘Adventure Swim’, which is very popular. These are swims where we go to other beaches, most within easy driving distance of the Victoria area.

We are incredibly fortunate as where we live there are a seemingly infinite number of beaches, lakes, rivers, and potholes to swim in. We’re doing our best to try them all!

Another fun part about the Adventure Swims is we often get to meet up with and get to know other amazing groups and swim in their favourite spots.

We sometimes also do swim day trips. One incredible day was at the invitation of Red to take part in a photoshoot they were doing. It took us to a lake we – and they – had never been in before. It was a stunningly beautiful day and setting. The water was crystal clear and although it’s a glacier fed lake, it was uncharacteristically warm! A new experience for us cold water folks.

The Red team was amazing, setting us at ease immediately. The several hours with them were so much fun and full of wonderful surprises. If you ever get offered a chance to work with them, I highly recommend you say: “yes!”