One of my female relatives does cold water swimming every day and swears by it. Many women are diving in and doing the same. But is it safe?

Well, a new study led by University College London says swimmers need to be wary.

Collaborating with the universities of Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Sussex, they quizzed 1,114 women aged 16 to 80 years old in 2022.

Researchers found that most women who participate in wild ­swimming usually do so in the sea (64.4%), and the majority (89%) swim all year around.

I can remember when I was a very little girl, my mum striding into the sea on Christmas Day. And she wasn’t alone.

Earlier this year, the same survey revealed that menopausal women who regularly swim in cold water see improvements to their physical and mental health, boosting their mood and reducing anxiety and hot flushes.

However, there are risks.

Lead author, UCL Professor Joyce Harper, said: “One of the health risks linked to cold water swimming is the increased likelihood of gastroenteritis and other infections due to pollution in UK rivers and seas.

“This could be avoidable with better monitoring of sites.”

Typically, only designated bathing waters in the UK are monitored for bacteria – and only during the summer months.

Professor Harper added: “For example, in the UK, the government bathing-water quality website only runs from May to September, ignoring the winter months where heavy rainfall and consequent sewage overflow most commonly occur.”

The researchers are now calling for the UK government, water companies, the Environment Agency, and others right across the world, to improve the safety and accessibility of open water for people who like to swim outdoors.

Professor Harper said: “Globally we should be ensuring that cold water swimming is accessible and safe.

“It is time to make this increasingly popular and beneficial sport more secure and supported for all.”

Co-author, Sussex University’s Professor Sasha Roseneil, added: “In recent years, cold water swimming has become a passion for many thousands of women across the UK, bringing numerous benefits to well-being.

“Whilst the free and unregulated nature of swimming in open water is part of its attraction, it is time for the government and regulators to pay serious attention to the quality of our rivers, lakes and seas, to protect both swimmers today, and the ecosystems of these precious natural resources for the future.”

Hear! Hear!