#SWIMSNOWDONIA
CREATIVE SWIM SESSIONS
join me for a chat, walk and a swim in the mountains of snowdonia
#SWIMSNOWDONIA - CREATIVE SWIM SESSIONS
Share a day of conversations, creativity and fresh air, embrace the elements, take what mother nature gives you as inspiration be it rain, hail or sunshine and run with it!
Join me for a walk and swim in the beautifully rugged mountains of Snowdonia. Hear what makes a lake special to me, as I share one of my favourite lakes with you, listen to how and why I started my project #swimsnowdonia, a creative documentation of all the permanent bodies of water in Snowdonia National Park. The day is very much focused on the great outdoors, experiencing the elements and your place within them, there will be plenty of time for you to respond to the environment around you. I actively encourage you to take some time to stop and reflect on your time in the water and in the mountains.
"I care little for distance, times and temperatures, swimming for me feeds my creativity and these days are an opportunity to share discussion, the mountains and the sheer joy of swimming outside. You are free to take from the day what you wish and encouraged to bring your notebooks, sketchbooks, cameras, recorders.. after all, mountains aren't just for climbing!"
We will start and finish the day in either Llanberis or Capel Curig, near Betws-y-Coed exactly where we will go will totally depend on the weather conditions on the day but it will be in the nearby mountain areas. The day will start at 10am with a pannad (cuppa) in the cafe and we will aim to be back at the same cafe at approx 4pm.
"...she learned to go into the hills aimlessly, ‘merely with the intention to be with the mountain as one visits a friend, with no intention but to be with him’.
from Robert MacFarlane's introduction in 'The Living Mountain' by Nan Shepherd.
A quad bike engine hums in the distance
Soothing
Playing out its part in the symphony
Alongside sheep calls that echo around the cwm
Coarse grass underfoot
Gives way to falling darkness
Empty
Smoke, no mirrors
Rust shifts, bursting
Intermission
Burns and fades
Words from #swimsnowdonia Creative Swim Day, August 2019
WHAT'S INCLUDED
GUIDING
LOAN OF A CHANGING ROBE IF REQUIRED
WHATS NOT INCLUDED
TRANSPORT
LUNCH
HOT DRINKS
IN WATER PHOTOGRAPHY
ACCOMMODATION
2020
25 MAY
10 AUG
BESPOKE DATES CAN BE ARRANGED FOR GROUPS OF 4 OR MORE
DATES
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
It is entirely up to you what you want to bring along, these sessions are about experiences, not endurance. But as a general guide, I would suggest...
Warm hat
Warm jacket
Waterproof trousers and jacket
Boots or trainers
Swimsuit/wetsuit
Swim hat/woolly hat (may get wet)
Goggles
Towel/Robie (Dry Robes can be a little bulky to carry on the mountains but if you can carry it you are very welcome to bring yours)
Sketchbook/Notebook
Pen, pencils
Camera
Lunch
Hot drink
Rucksack to put everything in.
Note. I will provide changing robes, please leave space in your rucksack.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY?
I think a day on the hills, swimming in lakes and having time to reflect, absorb your surroundings is incredible, but see what other people who have shared the experience with me say
It was a beautiful day Vivienne- thank you for the experience. Some words from the day....
Languid thickness of water
Mellifluous over starfish stones and black as cormorant gullet.
Such an incredible day - thank you again. It was wet, grey, cold and I LOVED IT. A mind and soul expanding experience.
Thank you Vivienne! It was such a special day! We all had an amazing time & it was really really great to meet you and be in your company! Thank you for sharing with us xxx
WHERE TO STAY?
There is a full range of accommodation options in Snowdonia to suit every budget and taste.
The ones suggested below operate independently from me
HOSTELS
GWESTY PLAS GOCH
01286 872122
TY'N RHOS COUNTRY HOUSE
01248 670489
HOTELS/GUEST HOUSES
CAMPSITES
GIFT VOUCHERS
A special treat...
Who wouldn't love the gift of a day or two outdoors in the fresh air swimming in a stunning mountain lake?
Want to give a swimming day as a gift but not sure which date would suit? Gift vouchers are available for all my days and weekends.
I will send you a beautiful gift voucher to give as a special treat. I have limited dates available in Snowdonia this year, so it is advisable to book dates asap.
All gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase.
ABOUT ME
I am an artist, educator and outdoor swimmer. I spilt my time between the mountains of Snowdonia in North Wales where I have lived since 2002 and on the beautiful South Coast in the New Forest where I grew up. My project #swimsnowdonia was listed amongst 'The 10 most inspiring adventures' in The Guardian and has been the focus of several short films including a music video for the band Elbow. 'Afterglow' a short film about my passion for both my creativity and cold water swimming won Best Woman in Adventure Gold Award at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival., Best Short Film at The Four Season Film Festival and was recently selected for The Patagonia Film Festival in Santa Monica. I was included in the first San Miguel Rich List, 'a unique list of men and women who value experiences over any possession' and listed as one of Britains 101 Adventurers. I am currently featuring in an ITV documentary 'The Mountain ' which follows the lives of a selection of people who live and work on the busiest mountain in England and Wales, Snowdon.
I am a Qualified Teacher, Mountain Leader, and Open Water Swimming Coach, I hold Emergency First Aid in the Outdoors, RLSS Open Water Lifeguard, RLSS Water Safety Management Level 1-3, STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher Award and Certificate, and have more than 10 previous years experience lifesaving in swimming pools.
AN INTERVIEW WITH LONDON BOUTIQUE, THE KEEP
WILD SWIMMING THROUGH THE LENS OF VIVIENNE RICKMAN