Last week I followed father and daughter duo Stacey and Adrian Rushworth for a dip in the River Wharfe at Burnsall to find out how their weekly dips became a thing, and why they feel compelled to keep swimming.

When did you first start wild swimming and why?

Stacey: Having parents who love the great outdoors we were always outside. My dad introduced me to triathlons and as I like to try new things I gave it a go, but it was mainly the pool swims I enjoyed. After that I ventured into open water swimming, but struggled to put my head in the water at first. When Covid hit the pools and gyms were obviously closed, so my dad took me to a nearby reservoir - he went off doing front crawl and I mulled about just enjoying the water.

After a while I started searching for groups on Facebook and found Wild Swim Bathers which introduced me to a What’s App group called Chellow Dippers who did meet ups at Chellow Dean in Bradford, and other local areas. I went (on my own!) to meet a group of total strangers in a car park, get changed into my cossie and swim! We were still in lockdown but allowed to meet people at a distance, so that's what we did. I'm a community nurse so worked throughout Covid. Wild swimming allowed me to be free in nature, soothing me and allowing me to reset in a time of the unknown. I was breaking the thick ice with bricks during my first winter! Just in the cossie, gloves, neoprene socks & shoes and of course a hat! It was an incredible feeling.

Adrian: . I suppose I’ve been swimming ‘wild' since childhood, as I swum all throughout my youth in locations around where I grew up in Bradford. I started up again about 12 years ago, when I started competing in triathlons.

When would you say it became a habit?

Adrian: It’s not really a habit - it's more of a coping mechanism for life - part of who and what we are. We’ve been swimming more often since just before lockdown.

Stacey: After my first swim at Chellow Dean I joined different people from the group at different meet spots - waterfalls, rivers, dams and reservoirs - I knew after the first swim I was hooked! I love the walk to the swim spots, the cold water on my skin, being surrounded by beautiful nature in all weather conditions - sunshine, rain, snow, hail! The laughs, the chatter, and the friendships have made this into a happy habit.

Where are your favourite spots to swim and why?

Stacey: All of them but I really love the River Wharfe. Burley-in-Wharfedale is a favourite as the sound from the weir, the trees, wildlife and the view of Ilkley Moor is wonderful. I feel safe there and often go alone early in a morning when no-one is around. Burnsall is lovely and clear - I don't mind putting my head in as it's so nice, and Janet’s Foss is a lovely waterfall, but it can get very busy. In winter we have to watch the river levels and make sure they are not too high. If they are, we always have the local reservoirs, which are much cleaner.

We do full moon swims with a fire under the dark skies and the stars - this is definitely one of my favourites. A couple of the ladies will sing folk songs around the fire after our swim and we warm up with homemade treats and warm drinks.

Sea swims are so much fun, although a bit nervy - I have had a seal bob up behind me before! I’ve also swam with Puffins & Razorbills flying over me, which was just incredible.

Adrian: I love any lake or sea swims, but particularly Semer Water due to its location. I'm still debating with myself about river swimming with the current abuse by the water companies. We have a couple of reservoirs that we sneakily swim in, these are in gorgeous locations. We use these when the water companies fail to do the job we pay them to do.

Do you swim with other groups too or just together?

Stacey: I swim with a group - we use an app called Band which has 626 people on it! Folk put swims on in different areas and you pop your name on and join them. I have a group of wonderful women who I swim with regularly. We have been away to the Lakes, Wales and the east coast on swim trips. We have distance swam/crocodile walked the Wharfe fundraising for the Laura Hyde Foundation and also the local lady who created the Chellow Dean Swimmers Group who became ill and needed fundraising to buy equipment. It's a wonderful group of ladies who are so friendly and supportive. They have also raised funds for Barnardos.

Adrian: I used to swim with a triathlon club, but I haven't since having Long Covid - getting back up to speed is still a work in progress. I’ve joined Stace and her wonderful ladies on the odd occasion.

How has it benefitted your links as a family?

Adrian: Swimming with just Stacey strengthens our good relationship, plus we can get away with offloading our problems with each other easily!

Stacey: I swim with my dad once a week or everyday depending on my shift pattern really, and how busy we both are! I have two daughters who sometimes get it but they think we are mad getting in the cold water! I’ve always got on well with my dad and we have a lot in common. He’s someone I can confide in and get support and guidance. We have a good moan and then a good laugh! The water and chatter washes the stuff to moan about away and we leave invigorated, elated and ready to carry on. My mum and sister think we are bonkers and stay well clear, it's just something my dad and I do - it's difficult to describe the feeling really, but we love it and get so much from it.

What’s the importance of the landscape and nature around you?

Stacey: It's magical to swim in the different seasons. The different temperture of the waters. The different weathers. Different locations, you never get bored! We swim with wildlife such as Herons, Dippers, Kingfishers, Red Kites, Buzzards, Swans, and even bats, to name a few.

Adrian: It’s easy to become blinkered to what's actually all around us. I suppose when swimming you can easily transcend into a calmer environment and appreciate what's right in front of you. We're lucky to have so much beauty on our doorstep.

Thanks to Stacey and Adrian for letting me tag along and take their portraits, and thanks also too to Faye Hatton for assisting with the lighting, introducing us, and being an all-round legend.

Find out more about wild swimming in the UK

See the map reference for our swim location at Burnsall, Yorkshire Dales.

If you’d like to book a shoot, get in touch.

A Wild Swim with Adrian and Stacey