I love paddling, but I’m not a fan of swimming in the sea – it’s just so big isn’t it?!
Our 2023 campervan roadtrip followed the Baltic Sea. The coastline was beautiful and I’d dipped my feet in the water many times along the journey. The Other Half had happily been for a swim at a few of our stop overs, and I decided I ought to give it a go, and so swam in the Baltic Sea!
It’s Baltic!
In the UK, it’s not uncommon to hear people declaring the outside temperature as ‘it’s Baltic out there!’ My swim definitely made me rethink using it to describe something as cold!
Baltic Sea Stop Over
It was in Latvia that I decided to take the plunge. We were camping just near Tūja, where the long sandy beaches stretched for miles. The bay was nice and shallow with lovely clear water, and hardly any seaweed to tickle my toes and make me think some creature from the depths was coming to get me!
I decided to venture in for a dip after I’d been for a morning run. Starting my day this way was far more enjoyable than I thought it would be!
Cool Conditions
It was a cloudy morning and the sun hadn’t yet peered through to warm the water. Stepping into the sea wasn’t quite the shiver inducing moment you might think. It was fresh, but not the icy cool temperature you might imagine.
With the bay being so shallow, I had to wade out for what felt like a long way before the water even came up to my knees. I could have kept going until just my head was above the water – although I might have ended up in Sweden judging by how long it was taking me to reach any depth!
Getting Into The Water
Whilst I can swim, I’m not an overly confident swimmer and appreciate the reassurance of being able to touch my feet on the bottom and stand up in the water if I need to. This meant I had to lower myself under.
This might be familiar to you. I tensed up, pulled my limbs in close, sucked in my breath, bent my knees and lowered my body into the sea. The initial sensation of the cool water creeping over my skin caused an involuntary grimace. Goose bumps grew upon goose bumps!
Perfect Conditions
Swimming soon warmed me up though, and I moved easily through the clean and clear water. It was flat and calm, so was ideal for a non sea swimming fan like me.
Nobody else joined me, maybe they were waiting for it to warm up!
Invigorated and refreshed, I felt thoroughly chuffed with myself! I’m a long way off conquering my fears of swimming in the sea, but it was definitely a confidence boost. I returned to shore to dry off, get changed, and enjoy a hot cup of tea.
I Swam in the Baltic Sea!
I’m still not overly keen on ocean swimming, but this was a great experience. It was very refreshing and not the bracing dip I’d imagined – summer in the Baltics had been a lovely temperature as we travelled through. I suspect a swim in the winter months might have been a bit less bearable!
Want To Try It Yourself?
There are lots of opportunities to swim in the Baltic Sea as the coastline covers many countries (Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden), and is mostly easily accessible.
If you’re not near the Baltic Sea, why not have a look into open water swimming?
If you’ve never swum in the sea before, why not give it a go when you’re next at the coast?
Cost Of Experience
Free! Of course there is the actual cost of getting to the Baltic Sea, but the activity itself is free!
Recommendations
If you’re going to try this in winter, brace yourself! You might want to layer up!
Let someone know when and where you are trying this if you are going on your own.
Have some layers to put on afterwards to keep warm.
If you’ve got goggles you might want to use them to see any wildlife that might be in the water.
Don’t forget your camera – but don’t get it wet unless it’s waterproof!