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What's On For Wild Swimmers
WHAT'S ON FOR WILD SWIMMERS AT SHAFF 2023
Sunday 5 March is the day for wild swimmers and outdoor dippers at ShAFF, with two sessions showing the best new water-based adventure films from around the world, along with free campfire talks and a panel hosted by Sheffield OUtdoor Plungers.
Plunge into the day with ice miler Becca Harvey as she presents a free campfire talk Before My Ice Mile in The Outpost (Sun 5 at 11:00). The documentary about Becca will be shown at the Water Films 2 screening at 15:15.
Catch Water Films 1 on Sun 5 at 13:00, from ice swimming in the Pacific Northwest with Skin Swimmer, exploring one community's relationship with their local chalk stream in Surface Tension, to stand up paddleboarding around the length of mainland Britian in Circumnavigate, these water-based stories reflect the ways that water inspires.
Then, join Sara Barnes author of "The Cold Fix" in the break between Water Films for an informal meet and greet to chat all things ice! This will be a "chilled" out event encouraging swimmers to share their own experiences of ice swimming, ice holes and searching for ice. Grab a cuppa and join Sara round the campfire any time between 2.15 and 3pm.
Drift over to Water Films 2 (Sun 5 15:15), a selection of four films examining the community and connection that water brings. Including Chilly Dipper, the brand new film from multi award winning filmmaker (and ShAFF judge) Hannah Maia. Feature film The Ice Mile follows Becca Harvey over the course of a year, documenting her journey, training and what it takes to consider an Ice Mile.
Finally, join SOUP for a panel discussion about outdoor swimming Babbling About Swimming from 17:00 onwards at the Workstation Mezzanine. The SOUP team will be talking all things cold water, the joys, the motivations and why we need better water access. The panel will include Owen Hayman who founded SOUP in 2016, Sara Barnes, author of The Cold Fix, Suzie Wheway, an open water swim coach and guide based in the Peak District, and Issy Howie who has been working with other local swimmers to generate a positive dialogue to increase outdoor swimming opportunities, especially in local reservoirs.
If you prefer paddling to swimming, there are two Surf & Kayak sessions, the first (Sun 16:45) shows a global selection of the best new short films. At the second (Sun 19:00) ShAFF presents feature film WILD WATERS: from Olympic pools to wild rivers to world championship podiums, discover the incredible life of Nouria Newman, the most gifted kayaker of her generation.
On Saturday at 10AM, our campfire talks kick off with Not All Ice Holes Are The Same, and if you have old wetsuits that you'd like to dispose of, bring them along to Lorna Doyle's collection point in The Outpost so they can be upcycled.
Panel events and talks are free to attend, please register via Eventbrite so we can manage the numbers.
