Several sea worshippers – both regular and seasonal – live at The Gloss and keenly share the message of deep sea vitality! As a result, we embrace and endorse sea swimming for its plentiful health benefits and social elements – but now, we want to know what draws others to the waves. Let us know.

Tell us in however many words you like, why you love to swim in the sea, as well as where you love to swim – have you got a favourite spot to dip in and out of? Do you gather with friends for a daily or weekly ritual? Did you pick up the habit during lockdown and have found yourself drawn to the waves ever since? Send in your entries to digital@thegloss.ie with a picture of you or your favourite swim spot – selected entries will be published on thegloss.ie and associated social media channels over the coming weeks. We look forward to hearing your sea swimming stories …

Sarah Halliwell, beauty editor, The Gloss

I first swam in the Irish Sea the day I moved to Dublin. It was autumn, and I remember the soft evening rain breaking the smooth surface, and my intense heart rush, the sheer breathtaking thrill of living in a city where you could swim outdoors. Moving to a new country, knowing no one, I found the sea a deeply comforting constant. I watched old ladies march into stormy swells without a second’s hesitation, crossing themselves as they took the plunge; I often chatted with a man struggling with a drinking problem, who found swimming cleared his head and helped keep him straight. That cool water washes away a multitude.

During lockdown, several local beaches were literally fenced off – it seems impossible to imagine now, but you couldn’t access the sea. People found other spots quickly, of course, perhaps less picturesque but still refreshing and vital. The Dart line is dotted with fine spots to swim, and beyond Dublin the water gets ever clearer – the most magical I’ve experienced was on Inis Meain, where the water was filled with billions of harmless miniscule black jellyfish, and so icy clear you could see down to your feet.

I read a newspaper piece recently that suggested there was “elitist gatekeeping” around sea swimming; that hardened regulars somehow look down on newcomers or whooping teenagers. I don’t agree. In reality, most sea swimmers are delighted that someone else is sharing the great pleasure of taking to the waves. It’s a shared experience that unites people. Swimming in the sea is not something you do to pose, or show off. If you do it regularly, it becomes something you need to do, something that can make you feel better both physically and mentally. Literally no one cares how far you swim, what you look like or what you’re wearing (yes, Dryrobes are easy to joke about, but they are also undeniably practical – we’ve spotted pics of Timothee Chalamet wearing one between takes on a cold outdoor set). It’s not that deep, as my teenagers say …

The fact is, there’s no hierarchy in the sea. That’s the point. It’s free and it’s open to everyone. And sea water is the greatest leveller – whatever crappy swimsuit we’re wearing, or body insecurity we might have, we’re all the same in the water. We all feel the cold. @sarahhalliwellbeauty

Maura Rath, yoga teacher

Sea swimming for me is the ultimate cure – a hug from ocean is one of the best ways to heal. My favourite spot in Dublin is Seapoint in Monkstown. Perfect for bathers and the community aspect is brilliant.

Mentally and physically – it’s like yoga. The benefits are endless. When I’ve taught lots of yoga classes the cold water can really speed up my physical recovery. Sometimes it does take discipline to push myself to get in on those winter days, but I never have regretted a dunk in the sea. Short winter dips or long summer ones, it’s all the same for me – a good scream when the cold water hits!

If I’ve had a day where my mind is racing, overthinking or feeling stressed, the sea sorts me out – it literally washes the worries away! @yogawithmaura

Kate Thorpe, interior designer

We meet at 7.50 am after a simple ‘thumbs up’ emoji on the WhatsApp group of ladies, Sunrise Swim Today, from the evening before so that the lady or ladies who want to swim are not alone. That way we know that there will always be company and we never have to risk the early hours of a morning or sunrise swim alone.

We swim off the slip in Dunmore East, co Waterford during the winter months and the Guillamene, Tramore, co Waterford during the summer months at what was originally the ‘Men only’ area, approached by several steps, and a diving board. Gloved, warm booties, hideous hats and plenty of laughter and determination and the anticipation of feeling invigorated once out of the sea, we meet over and over again, for three years now. Exercise, chat, worries and concerns vanish when in the sea and we leave with our thoughts clearer, ready for another day.

Our group of ladies is simply known on our WhatsApp group as “Sunrise Swim Today” our founders are Noreen O’Donnell and Deirdre Adams of www.jimjams.ie who inspired me to sea swim in 2019 with the following ladies; Noreen O’ Donnell, Deirdre Adams, Kate Thorpe, Anita Thompson, Bernadette Hurley, Darina Kirby, Emma O’Byrne, Frances O’Reilly, Gaye Heffernan, Joan Hennahan, Julie Roche, Una Connery, Yvonne Kelly and Geraldine Mernagh. @katelouisathorpeinteriors