Wild Swimming Statistics: How Many People Wild Swim?

Whether or not you are familiar with open water swimming statistics, there are several different types of statistics you may want to consider. This is especially true if you are thinking about trying out wild swimming anytime soon.

Even though these statistics may be more interesting to those who participate in the sport, there is a wide range of other people that are interested in learning more about wild swimming statistics.

Read on to discover more details about many different types of outdoor swimming statistics.

How Many People Swim Outside?

Even though it has been shown that outdoor swimming increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, statistics show that this phenomenon began much earlier. However, since its beginning, more and more people have chosen to at least try out the craze.

• Open water swimming statistics in the UK reported that more than 4.1 million people participated in outdoor swimming between 2017 and 2018.
• An increase of almost 250,000 people who participated in wild swimming increased from 2016 to 2018.
• In the UK, on average, about 7.5 million people have participated in open water swimming.
• Out of these 7.5 million people in the UK who participated in outdoor swimming, about 2.1 million preferred to swim in open bodies of water.
• The open water swimming statistics in the USA show that at least 30% of the population have participated he open water swimming.

Who Participates in Wild Swimming?

Although there is a wide range of people who have begun to take up the sport of swimming outdoors, statistics show that more demographics than others tend to do it more often. While it is not clear why there are age and gender ranges in the sport, it is certainly interesting to think about these open water swimming statistics 2022 has brought.

• The number of women who participate in wild swimming has increased from 2017 to 2020 all over the world.
• The average age range of women who swim in the open is between 47.7 and 49.8.
• The average age range of men who swim in the wild is between 49.6 and 53.2.
• Wild swimming statistics the UK has reported only about 12%-30% of their swimming population to be under 40 years of age.
• Those who post to social media platforms about wild swimming typically fall in the less than 30-year-old range.
• For outdoor swimming statistics, UK individuals reported that of those who started the sport in 2020, about 75% chose to continue swimming through the winter months.
• Since outdoor swimming became popular, of the women who participate on average about 63% state that they swim in the wild at least once per week during the winter.
• In opposition, of the men who participate in outdoor swimming, about 44% reportedly swim at least once per week in the wild during the winter months.

Statistics on Wild Swimming Kits

The concept of preparing for wild swimming including what to wear has been a subject of debate among many open water swimmers. There are a large number of these swimmers who say they do not prefer to wear costumes of sorts in the summer months but may don a wetsuit when the temperatures are colder.

• About 90% of wild swimmers prefer to wear wetsuits or other costumes for open water swimming during the summer months.
• Of these, about 97% of women preferred some kind of clothing and only about 80% of men chose to wear something during swimming in the summer.
• When it comes to goggles, about 93% of men and 83% of women prefer to wear goggles when they are swimming in the wild.
• For those who wear wetsuits, only about 50% of men and 30% of women stated they prefer to wear them during the summer months.
• During the winter season, 64% of men and 44% of women stated that they wear wetsuits during their outdoor swimming activities.
• Changing robes was another gender statistic that had quite a bit of difference. About 45% of men and 60% of women used changing robes after a swimming session.
• Safety buoys or tow floats are said to be used by about 50% of wild swimmers around the world during the summer months.
• More wild swimmers report that they prefer to carry along tow floats or safety buoys for winter wild swimming.
• Throughout the year, other wild swimming kit items are used more during the winter months than during the summer.

Overall, there are many varieties of items that are used in swimming kits by different people. From neoprene hats, gloves, and footwear to flasks with warm beverages, many things can be added to your kit to cope with the varying temperatures.

Scientific Research That Backs Outdoor Swimming

You have most likely heard that outdoor swimming is the newest craze for those who want to explore a new way to get exercise. Many people, especially during the recent pandemic, took up the sport as a way to get their workout done but in a way that kept them socially distanced from others.

Check out these outdoor swimming statistics 2022 has brought to the attention of scientists around the world:

• Because your metabolic rate increases when you enter the colder water, you tend to burn more calories during the swim.
• The number one rule for wild swimming is that you should never swim alone, because of this, you may end up making new friends.
• Due to the physical nature of the sport, outdoor swimming has been known to reduce depression symptoms in many people.
• Most people are aware that exercise releases dopamine or the “happy” hormone. But did you know that this is increased when you are swimming in the open?
• If you are looking for a sport to enjoy but not necessarily the stiff competition, open water swimming may be the one for you since it is focused more on the camaraderie of the experience.
• Some scientists have proven that cold water swimming just two to three times per week can increase your immune system thus keeping you much healthier through the winter months.

Best Lakes to Wild Swim in the United States

Wild swimming statistics in the USA have increased in popularity around the world over the last several years. Because of this, more and more people are seeking out unique places to swim for the unique experiences they may find.

Here are some of the best lakes in the United States to wild swim:

• Lake Tahoe in Nevada is a great place to swim if you enjoy the crisp colder temperatures that can fluctuate from summer to winter.
• Norris Lake in Tennessee is another hot spot for those who enjoy swimming in the wild. With average temperatures of the water not typically rising over 80℉, most who participate in open water swimming enjoy the colder temperatures.
• Emerald Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park can be a great place to wild swim from the ever-changing temperatures to the beautiful scenery, most people enjoy coming here to swim for a variety of reasons.
• Flathead Lake in Montana is the perfect location for open water swimming as it is deemed one of the cleanest lakes in the world. While the best time to swim is between July and September, you may be able to sneak in a wild swim in the slightly colder weather.
• Bottomless Lakes in New Mexico is another great place to enjoy open water swimming. Depending on the time of the year you go, you may see a wide range of temperatures that make it perfect for outdoor swimming activities.

5 Best Beaches to Open Swim in the United States

Some outdoor swimming statistics in the USA show a variety of places that are the best for many reasons. Since those who participate in wild swimming enjoy finding new places to swim, many people have searched high and low for the best places.

Here are 5 of the best beaches in the United States for open water swimming:

• Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
• Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina
• Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
• St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
• Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

Best Places to Wild Swim in Canada

Since a good percentage of Canada is covered in water, it is no surprise that there are so many lakes that exist in the country. With the ranges in varying temperatures, Canada is a great place for wild swimming enthusiasts to gather and swim.

Check out these top places to wild swim in Canada:

• Spanish Banks, Vancouver, British Columbia
• Cavendish Beach, Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
• Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
• Chesterman Beach, Tofino, British Columbia
• Carters Beach, Liverpool, Nova Scotia

The bottom line is that while this is not an exhaustive list of the wild swimming statistics 2022, it is certainly the most common. With open water swimming becoming more and more popular, there will most likely be a great deal more statistics that come up as time goes by.

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