Meet Paddy the Friendly Seal!
From cheering on friends taking their first wade to gliding through quiet waves,
Paddy has always believed the sea should feel safe, joyful, and open to everyone. Now he shares that same sense of comfort and confidence with anyone who joins him by the water
Download Paddy the Seal checklist to help plan your event safely.
Water Safety
Always respect the water
Know your own limits and listen to advice from officials regarding weather and water conditions.
Keep warm before getting in
Arrive warm, get ready to swim quickly, and do not stand around on shore in your swimwear.
Get in slowly to avoid cold water shock
By getting into the water slowly, and splashing your torso and face before you immerse, you can control your breathing and help prevent more serious reactions.
Exercise warms you up fastest
The fastest way to properly warm up after you swim is exercise. A brisk walk after you have fully dressed and recovered, or running on the spot, or jumping jacks will stop the shivering in no time.
Bring extra layers for after and a hot drink, or soup
To help restore your warmth, bring extra, loose, warm layer(s) for your top half, a hat, socks and gloves, and a hot drink.
Plan to get dressed quickly
As soon as you get out of the water, focus on getting dressed above anything else.
Lots and lots of small, loose layers without fiddly zips and hooks are recommended. Jeans, tight leggings, and materials like lycra are not your friends after winter dips.
Plan ahead and know your exits
Familiarise yourself with the location of nearby lifeguard stations or emergency services. Having a buddy system is also advisable to assist if need and will double the fun.
In cold water, stay relatively close to the shore so you can return to the shore quickly when you are ready to leave.
