A local open water swimming group has went from strength to strength since its foundation after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Wild Water Witches, are an active open water swimming group who swim in Lough Erne and other bodies of water in the local area.

Speaking about the foundation of the group, Kerry Cusack said: “Around two and half years ago I started to see articles about the benefits of Cold Water Immersion and started to read some stuff about Wim Hof and his philosophies. I found a group on Facebook called ‘Causeway Living’ doing Wim Hof breathing techniques followed by a dip in the sea, so off I went to Bangor, Co.Down every weekend to join in on their dips.

“Without realising we had a triathlon group going into the lough every week here in Fermanagh, ‘Fear The Turtle’ so I was welcomed by them for swims in the Lough, although unfortunately the times of their training didn’t suit and so I had to miss a lot of evenings.”

Explaining how the group expanded Kerry said: “After a catch up over a cuppa with my long time friend Amanda Kelly who had also been interested in Wim Hof off we both went in October 2021 into the Lough at Camagh Bay every Saturday and Sunday mornings.

“As we posted on social media our dips every week we started to get messages from other people who wanted to join us. The name Wild Water Witches started as a bit of a joke back at that time as we were also meditating and doing affirmations but it has stuck – We went from just the two of us, to three, then five, then 10 and now we have 96 members!”

Explaining her vision for the group, Kerry said: “My vision for the group was that the Cold Water Immersion would benefit health, mental health, another layer that people could add to their self care routine as well as get people together after the anxieties of Covid 19 and try to bridge any loneliness in my own community. To merge three of my passions – Community development, spiritualism and water.

Recently, they welcomed a fellow member of the open water swimming community, Anthony McToal also known as the Cold Water Warrior, Anthony joined the Wild Water Witches and another local group, the Fermanagh Flounders for a dip.

Explaining how Anthony’s visit came about, Kerry said: “Through the rapid popularity of the group I started to get messages from swimmers in other areas and after speaking with Anthony really attached myself to his story. Having been discharged from the army after a tour in Afghanistan, Anthony suffered immense difficulties with normal life - Northern Ireland has some of the highest numbers of PTSD in Europe.

“We met up, arranged some events for both our groups and continue to assist each other in our visions for the future. After we visited Anthony’s group in Larne for the first time Amanda was so moved by the story of some of the veterans that she wrote a poem that night for them.”

‘All about the craic’

Talking about the wide appeal of the group, Kerry said: “We have members from all walks of life all ages, male and female all shapes and sizes, we’re all about the craic. I wanted to create a group that was a safe space to get together. We also have members of the group who can’t swim or are not very confident in the water, it’s amazing to watch the camaraderie of the group take people out of their comfort zones.

“There are swim spots where the water is only waist deep so we can alternate to suit everyone, and make sure the benefits of Cold Water Immersion can still be practised.

“The group is totally free to join, all that needs to be purchased are the safety items and we are going from strength to strength every week and I’m so proud of everyone and the effort they put into their self care.”