February 20, 2021, was my 60th birthday and I celebrated by inviting my husband and some friends for a dip in the cold Pacific Ocean on Canada's west coast. Several friends joined us on the beach while three of them decided to take the plunge. The rest cheered and took photos and videos.
Almost a year later, on January 2, 2022, to be exact, one of those friends and I launched a ritual that we've maintained for over two years now. We agreed that we would dip together at least once a month.
The following year, we upped the stakes and decided to dip together at least once a week, and we still do. Since then, I've joined several local groups who dip regularly. One of those groups is a group of women photographers who love to take photos of sunrises and then dip. They do this almost every day of the year.
I can't tell you why I started dipping. I'm a Pisces and have always loved the water. I grew up in Ontario, Canada, and my grandparents had a cottage on Lake Huron where we spent our summers. My mother made sure we learned to swim, and although swimming was never a sport I enjoyed, being in the water definitely was. I've always especially adored lake swimming.
When I moved to Vancouver Island, I took my boys to the local lakes and to the ocean and, of course, taught them how to swim. Before my 60th birthday, I often swam in my local waters (primarily lakes and occasionally the ocean) every chance I got, but not during the winter.
So what changed? Why did going in the ocean in the winter become a thing for me?
I don't have an answer to those questions except that it brings me joy … along with the shivers. It makes me feel good even when I'm freezing. I never dread it. If a dip is planned, I just go.
I've met a lot of dippers who do it because they've experienced physical or mental trauma, and it was suggested that they try dipping as a therapy. Others started dipping because they saw others doing it and wanted to join the fun. While others I've met started doing it during COVID to get out of the house.
Experts say cold dipping offers numerous benefits, including improved circulation, enhanced mood, a boosted immune system, and increased mental resilience. It causes your body to release endorphins (the famous happiness hormone), which is said to help people struggling with anxiety or depression. Cold dipping also helps reduce pain and inflammation, which makes it popular with athletes.
For some cold plunging is about building mental resilience and discipline. It is thought that consistent exposure to cold temperatures allows the mind to get comfortable in a state of discomfort, which improves its ability to deal with other types of stress.
The main risk is staying in too long, which can cause hypothermia. Therefore, it's essential to be very cognizant of your time in the cold water— experts recommend starting at 30 seconds—to avoid causing your body temperature to drop too low.
I've inspired a few people to try it. Some are still dipping, some have said they'll do it again when it's warmer, and some have said once was enough. My friend and I get to the beach and chat for a few minutes, take off our layers down to our bathing suits, walk in, and then submerge to our shoulders.
My husband joins us occasionally, running in, diving under, and getting out. Another friend walks into his waist, stands there for a few minutes, and gets out. Others dunk their heads and swim around for a bit.
We stay in for as long as we feel good. Sometimes, it's a minute or two, and sometimes (in the summer) for ten or twenty minutes.
If you're inspired to try it, there isn't much to it; simply grab your bathing suit and a towel, head to the beach, and get in the water. If you're in Nanaimo, reach out, and we can dip together.
I dip because I want to.
I dip if it's rainy.
I dip because I can.
I dip if it's snowy.
I dip with others.
I dip if it's windy.
I dip on my own.
I dip if it's sunny.
I'm an ocean dipper; it's just what I do.
READ MORE > Her Story, Rambler Cafe Blog
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