‘I get headspace here… you forget everything when in open water’: motives for participation and perceived benefits derived from open water swimming: a rapid ethnographic study

Interest in open water swimming (OWS) has experienced a surge in participation in recent years, with over four million people in the UK reportedly taking to the water in a variety of settings. This study investigated the motives behind engagement in the sport as well as perceived health and wellbeing benefits. A rapid ethnographic methodology was emplo­yed, in which a field researcher, who kept a reflective diary, also conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 swimmers (n = 11 female, n = 6 male, mean age 52.7 years). Five main themes were identified: motives for engagement/continued participation; the uniqueness of OWS experiences; perceived physical and psychological health benefits; blue and green exercise comparisons; and the utility of social interactions. Core motives focused upon nature connectedness; health outcomes; training for performance; cold-water experience; and self-actualisation. The perceived physical and psycho-social benefits reported by participants appeared to be mediated by numerous influences, including: the restorative and stress reducing natural environments; social interactions; personal challenge; and the ‘highs’ of cold-water immersion - and moderated by factors including access issues; extent of social support/networks; perceptions of safety; and levels of competency. Participants also highlighted substantive differences in benefits derived from OWS compared to green exercise alternatives. The study provides useful insights for relevant health practitioners that might inform potential social prescribing initiatives. Facility operators, who manage open water venues such as the one featured in this study, and swimming coaches at these venues, can also better understand how they can tailor services more appropriately to meet participants’ needs, thus enhancing the overall quality of the OWS ‘offer’ and infrastructure.