Autumn Equinox Wild Swimming Retreat

As we cross the threshold into Autumn and draw ever closer to the Winter Solstice, join us for an evening of balance and renewal Autumn Equinox Wild Swimming Retreat Wednesday 23rd September As we cross the threshold into Autumn and draw ever closer to the Winter Solstice, join us for an evening of balance, reflection, and renewal. Working with the element of water, we'll gently release and wash away what is ready to be left behind, creating space to embrace the abundance and wisdom of Autumn's harvest. Set within a stunning private swimming pond, hidden amongst the beautiful Chiltern Hills, Rosie and Sarah will guide you through an immersive evening of wild swimming, guided meditation, and fireside Autumn Equinox rituals. Together, we'll honour the changing season, reconnect with nature, and step into the darker half of the year with clarity, gratitude, and intention. Meet Your Hosts Rosie Hill, Wild Ivy Retreats Rosie, a visionary artist and co-founder of Wild Ivy Retreats, brings her creative spirit and expertise to craft transformative experiences. Rosie's guided meditations and ceremonies, rooted in ancient practices, evoke blissful states of mind and deep connections with the self and nature. Her presence and creations invite participants to tap into their inner wisdom and connect with the magic of their surroundings. Wild Ivy Retreats: https://www.wildivyretreats.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildivyretreats/ Sarah Higgins, Wild Swimming Facillitor Sarah has been wild swimming for about 15 years and started to swim all year round in Covid when the pools closed. For her it’s not just the thrill of the cold water, the doing something daring, it’s also about the community- people all coming together in the water and the friendships that are forged there. It’s about seeing nature from a different perspective- seeing ducklings and goslings and cygnets swimming right by you and having a kingfisher swoop by. Seeing the changes in the seasons and feeling the change of temperature. Wild swimming also makes you breather properly and be in tune with your body. It can be dangerous if you don’t respect it and be vigilant about your body’s temperature. But it’s also about the sense of achievement- easy on a cold day to stay at home in the warm but when you have swum and you are sitting with a hot cup of tea and a bit of cake chatting to your friends it’s like no feeling on earth! Guidance for Your Wild Swimming Experience We want you to feel comfortable, confident, and well prepared for the evening. A little planning goes a long way! • Wrap up warm afterwards. Please bring plenty of warm layers for after your swim—we'd much rather you have too many than not enough! Warm socks, cosy clothes, and an extra jumper are always a good idea. • Bring cold-water essentials. If you have them, neoprene shoes, gloves, and a woolly hat are highly recommended. Keeping your hands, feet, and head warm can make a huge difference to your comfort. • Prepare your body. If you're new to cold water, try introducing a few short bursts of cold water at the end of your shower in the days leading up to the event. This can help your body begin to acclimatise. • Pack a hot water bottle. You'll be so glad you did—it makes warming up afterwards even more comforting. • You're not doing this alone. I'll be there to guide you through every step of the experience, helping you feel safe, supported, and at ease. • Safety always comes before ego. There is absolutely no pressure to stay in the water longer than feels right. Listening to your body is the most important part of the experience. • The water is naturally dark. You won't be able to see the bottom of the lake, and that's completely normal. The swimming area is safe, but if this feels a little daunting, please let us know—we're here to support you. • There are plenty of shallow areas. The lake isn't deep throughout, and there are lots of places where you can comfortably stand. I'll also bring a couple of tow floats for anyone who would feel more confident using one. • Listen to your body. If at any point you feel unwell or uncomfortable, let us know immediately. We'll help you out of the water so you can get warm and changed. Above all, we hope this is the beginning of a lifelong love of wild swimming. There's something incredibly special about immersing yourself in nature in this way—it can be invigorating, grounding, and deeply joyful. We can't wait to share the experience with you. A Gentle Note Your wellbeing is our highest priority. While Rosie and Sarah will be there to guide and support the experience, each participant is responsible for their own safety and wellbeing when entering the water. This event is suitable for those who are confident swimmers and feel comfortable in open water. If you are unsure whether this experience is right for you, please don't hesitate to get in touch—we're always happy to chat. Please note that, due to the natural outdoor setting, this particular event is not fully accessible. However, if you have any accessibility requirements or questions, we would love to hear from you. We'll always do our best to accommodate your needs where possible and help you decide if this experience is the right fit.