By Callum Ludwig
Some people swear by a cold shower as the best day to reinvigorate yourself for the start of your day.
A local group have taken it one step further, starting their Wednesdays and Saturdays with a dip in the Yarra River in Warburton, no matter the season.
Member Grant Morris said it started with the Healthy Mates Upper Yarra group formed years ago.
“They were doing a men’s brekky at the Redwood Centre on Wednesday mornings and a few of them were coming in wet and I’d ask them if they’d had a shower before they came,” he said.
“They said they were getting in the river, in the middle of winter and I said ‘Are you mad?”
The group meets behind the Redwood Centre at 7am on Wednesdays and between 8.30am and 9am on Saturdays, with a core group of regulars joined by others.
Mr Morris said he still feels the same abject terror standing on the edge of the river as he did seven years ago.
“When I was asked if I would join in, my mouth went into gear before my brain and I said yes, and the rest is history,” he said.
“There are a few blessed fellows for who it’s just second nature, I think they must be linked to seals. It is a bit mad but many fellows agree on Wednesday mornings we’ve just got to overcome that inner man that screams out for the nice squishy, comfy living and put it to death for a minute while we jump in.”
On the Saturday morning Swim and Breathe sessions, the swim is accompanied by guided light stretches, optional recorded Guided Wimhof breathing, and a leisurely group float towards the redwood trees before finishing with some optional movement to warm back up or another float back down the river.
Mr Morris said the unique activity gives a boost to your day and has created a bond within the group.
“I really like how when I’ve missed a day, and I go in the next week, people say they missed you, or you see them on the street and they say they missed you on Wednesday, it’s a good boost to know they care,” he said.
“Certainly physically there is a boost because you’ve been through a shock and overcome it and you haven’t done it alone. Anyone’s welcome to come and join us, even if they just want to say g’day and maybe think about it.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring a warm drink, tea or coffee or alternatively, there are cafes close by. A towel and an optional yoga mat and or blanket are recommended for comfort during breathing sessions.
