The Bluetits Chill Swimmers will be joining us at our Open Water Festival on 4 June and recently spoke to us about who they are, what they do and why they’re looking forward to the event!

“The Bluetits Chill Swimmers is a social enterprise with the mission of creating a capable, confident community through cold water dipping and challenging our limits together.

It all began in 2014 when founder Sian Richardson set herself the challenge of swimming all through the winter months. As the months passed by and the temperature dropped she continued to squeal and whoop in the Pembrokeshire sea.

She squealed and whooped quite loud, it would seem. Others heard and came along to join her, and that is how The Bluetits began.

The Bluetits Chill Swimmers Ltd is a social enterprise set up in 2020 to give a framework to support the fast-growing community. All the profits we make go back into the running of the Bluetits - employment, volunteer admin training, bursary projects and anything else the community needs in the future.

There are nearly 200 Bluetit flocks and over 100,000 Bluetits worldwide. All are joined together by a love of swimming, adventure, and the sense of community this brings. We are a worldwide community, there are no membership fees and anyone is welcome at any of the informal swims arranged in the groups.

At this event, Sian will be leading a warm-up to make sure all the swimmers are suitably limbered up and encouraged before heading into the water. She is sure to do so with the Bluetit values of fun and inclusivity in mind, and with a fair bit of her trademark gusto!

The Bluetits are looking forward to attending the event, and encourage swimmers to give it a go, even if it’s their first ever event! The Bluetits will be there to support and cheer you on.”

Find out more about the Open Water Festival and book your tickets!

Check out The Bluetits Chill Swimmers