Wild swimming is becoming increasingly popular across the country. Naomi Herring tested out the chilly waters in the wilds of Berinsfield

Next month more than 100 swimmers are set to the take part in Oxford’s first 4k Wild Thames swim event from Eynsham Lock to Kings Lock near Godstow.

I took to an Oxfordshire lake for the first time to experience open water swimming and see what all the fuss was about, as well as getting some training in before I take part in the 4k event myself.

Over the past few years there has been a large increase in the number of people taking part in open water swimming.

So on a wet, cold Sunday morning I donned my swim hat, goggles and squeezed into my new and first-ever wetsuit – which proved every bit as difficult as you would expect.

I waddled into the cold waters of Queenford Lake in Berinsfield, run by Oxford Wakeboard and Ski Club, which provides three laps varying in distance from 300m to 1km.

Despite my initial trepidation and loss of breath as I immersed myself into the cold water, it was surprising how quickly and easy it was to get used to the surroundings.

It takes swimming to a new level with a sense of freedom and excitement that you will never get going back and forth in a pool.

Being able to see Oxfordshire’s countryside in a completely different way, it quickly became clear why many people have become addicted to the thrill and excitement of the sport.

Water slowly filtered through my wetsuit helping to warm me up and – thankfully for a lapsed swimmer like myself – provided an extra bit of buoyancy along the way.

I, like many I am sure, also worried that I would be splashing through algae and weeds as I went, trying to avoid breathing in bugs.

But I was pleasantly surprised at how clear the water was, although it was still tricky to keep track of where you are going.

I had to create a new technique of breathe, breathe, look around and breathe to save swimming off into the bushes and may have taken a slightly longer route in the process.

Oxford Wakeboard and Ski Club director and former British waterski and wakeboard head coach Steve Glanfield said: “We have been running here for five years and in that time the open water swimming has grown from about 50 people in the first year to probably about 800 per cent of that over the past four years.

“It is becoming even more popular – I get daily enquiries about open water swimming.

“Blenheim Palace Triathlon is probably the biggest thing that brings people in as it is just down the road from us.

“It is amazing how popular it has got over the past few years – our Sunday session is the most popular and probably averages about 200 people. It is really incredible. Our core base is water skiing and wakeboarding but over the past year open water swimming is becoming a major part of it as well.”

There are several open water clubs and locations across the county to take on wild swims.

And yes, despite it being an early morning and raining heavily, I would definitely go back.

* For more details see swimoxford.co.uk