Two Weymouth-based groups are inviting locals to try out open water swimming for the New Year.
One such group is Blue Balls Weymouth - a male-only swimming group which invites the gentlemen of Dorset to brave the cold sea water and enjoy the resulting mental health benefits.
The next swim will take place on Sunday January 7, with participants asked to meet outside Café Oasis at 9am.
Blue Balls was originally set up in 2021 as a cold-water swimming group specifically for men in Cornwall.
After attending a full moon swim on holiday co-hosted by Blue Balls Cornwall, Graham Foster from Weymouth became inspired to set up a branch in his local area.
“I found myself hugely impressed by the group. I wondered whether Weymouth might benefit from having a similar group. The more I thought about it the more I realised that such a group would provide valuable and much needed peer support in Weymouth.
"So, I contacted Blue Balls HQ and was delighted when they gave me the ok to found Blue Balls Weymouth.”
The women of Weymouth aren’t missing out as there is a similar group arranging regular cold-water swims for people of all genders.
Bluetits of Weymouth Bay is a branch of the global Bluetits chill swimmers – a volunteer-led peer to peer social community which aims to create inclusive and informal space for women to unite over a shared love of cold and open water swimming.
Mr Foster cites the immense physical and mental health benefits of open water swimming particularly following the troubling period of lockdown.
“At a time when like many other people I was struggling with my mental health, open water swimming put me in an environment that was naturally calming to me. I would leave my swims calmer and more positive.
"Going open water swimming was something I started to hugely look forward to. Ultimately it has been very beneficial to both my physical and mental health.”
More information about Blue Balls Weymouth and Bluetits of Weymouth Bay can be found on their Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/BlueBallsWeymouth https://www.facebook.com/groups/319639842716906
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