SUNRISE &
SUNSET SWIMS
indulge yourself in the treat of seeing the mountains from a truly different perspective
SUNRISE & SUNSET SWIMS
There is no secret that these swims involve either an early start or a late finish! But honestly, nothing beats that awe-inspiring feeling of seeing the sun peak over the summit or spill onto your back and you are tiny, tiny and laid back in the middle of a mountain lake.
Wake up early and feel the joy of having been up on the mountain, immerse yourself in the depths of one of Eryri's incredible lakes and be back down in time to grab breakfast, knowing that you definitely have earned it. Or treat yourself to a few hours soaking up the golden light of the end of the day in the hills
"...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.
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
Thank you Viv for a magical morning. It was just what I needed to recalibrate.
Why aren't more people here doing this? It's just incredible!
Thank you so much for a wonderful morning and I will savour the memories.
Thanks for the company and the delightful experience.
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
Camera
Snacks
Hot drink
Rucksack to put everything in.
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
PLAS CURIG
01690 720225
YHA SNOWDON PEN Y PASS
0345 371 9534
HOTELS/GUEST HOUSES
GWESTY PLAS GOCH
01286 872122
PEN Y GWRYD HOTEL
01286 870211
CAMPSITES
DOLGAM
01690 720228
GWERN GOF UCHAF
01690 720294
ABOUT ME
I am an artist, outdoor swimmer and health and fitness coach. I split 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 Britain's 101 Adventurers. I was featured 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 and various features on the BBC, Sky Sports and Channel 5.
I am a Qualified Teacher, Personal Trainer and Nutritional Advisor, Mountain Leader, Open Water Swimming Coach, RLSS Open Water Lifeguard, RYA Day Skipper and hold RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory. I hold Emergency First Aid in the Outdoors, RLSS Water Safety Management Level 1-3, STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher Award and Certificate, and STA Level 2 Baby & Pre-School Aquatic Teacher. I am an RLSS Trainer and have more than 10 previous years of experience lifesaving in swimming pools.
Photo © Jody Daunton