Aspies For Freedom

Am I in a minority of one in enjoying open-air (especially sea) swimming?

I belong to a rambling club. Last weekend we went walking in Cornwall. Great weather (for the most part): bright sunshine, golden sands, turquoise sea, white horses... I was the only one that even bothered to pack my swimming things. But at the end of our walk at Trebarwith Sands everyone else wanted either to drive straight back to Exeter or go to Tintagel for a cream tea. I didn't feel I had the right to insist that everyone else stick around and wait for me to indulge in my eccentric pursuit. It's not as if they're my closest friends.

This wasn't the first time we'd gone on a coastal walk. On a hot, humid day in August (yes there were some sunny days!) we walked from Newton Abbot to Dawlish Warren. We had the sea beside us all the way. But no-one apart from me had contemplated swimming. Everyone else just wanted to get straight back to Exeter. It's as if the sea were just a backdrop to them. - not something they'd want to get involved in.

So an entire summer has passed and I haven't had a single open-air swim. I actually had more opportunity to swim al-fresco when I was living with my parents in London - I'd be off to Hampstead Heath's bathing ponds at the first sign of hot weather. Now I live in Devon, home to some of Britain's finest beaches and the only swims I have had have been indoors. And all because I have no-one to go with - no-one to look after my things while I'm in the water.

I LOVE swimming outdoors, outdoor pools, lakes, the sea, even a canal once.
I have always loved it cos there are usually much less, if any, people, a feeling of freedom, and I dont care if its a bit cold.
Sadly most of the outdoor swimming pools have closed down in my area, some of them were beautiful with ornate fountains.

i used to swim alot, but mostly indoors (its cold up here in the north)
and i dont swim as much as i used to, a pitty realy. i need the exersise but i just have to many other things to do.

Hello olav, I love your motto! I used to swim a lot (anywhere) and also fool around on the springboard, but have not the facilities nowadays (it's a long walk from Montluçon to the sea; whichever direction I start off in!) but I wish I could.

I love to swim when I get the chance.

I like the sea when it has few waves, but nice swells to float in. I mainly enjoy going swimming with friends so there's someone to chat to or have fun with.  

Sometimes though it's relaxing just to float in a pool by myself and think about stuff.

I can't swim  :oops:  And (therefore?) i'm afraid of water.

Me too. Occasionally, I like to be in the pool and just play around, particularly when it is very hot and I am with friends or family.

I've never been in the ocean. I'd like to try it. I love swimming in pools... if I could swim laps every day, I'd be in such good condition I could run a marathon (if I weren't too clumsy not to trip every mile or so). It's funny, but I'm a decent swimmer, even though I have little coordination on land.

Alfonso, you could probably teach yourself to dog-paddle in the shallow end of a pool. People naturally float because we're less dense than water; once you know how your body interacts with water, you can probably figure out how to propel yourself forward. Just for safety's sake it's a good idea to know how to float, and if you float on your front, how to lift your head out of the water without losing your "balance" on top of the water. I think guys are better at floating on their backs, but I'm not sure... Anyway, unless it's a true phobia (as in, you freak out), you should be OK in the shallow end, where you can just stand up anytime.

I can dog-paddle, but always want to know I can touch bottom.