Standing barefoot on an icy slipway in the dark, wearing only my dressing gown and swimming costume, I shivered as I realised this was it. The headlights of my friend's car illuminated the breaking whitewater of the Atlantic Ocean as we braced ourselves for our first official cold water sea-swim.

So, your social media timelines are full of people splashing around in beautiful, remote-looking locations – coastlines, lakes, rivers and reservoirs – and this heatwave (read: climate crisis) has got you thinking maybe, just maybe, now is your time to start wild swimming.

What do a shoe, a toothbrush and a tampon applicator all have in common? They are all examples of plastic washing up on beaches worldwide.

So you want to start cold water swimming but the furthest you’ve got is dipping your toes in in August? You’re scared of the sea? You live in the middle of the city? Well, this guide is here to give you that extra nudge to just jump in. Or rather get in slowly and carefully depending on the location and temperature. Trust me, if you can get in the cold water, you can do almost anything. You got this.

Cold Water Immersion; Skill Required: NIL. Balls Required: NIL. Friends Required: At Least One. Introducing My Tribe...