Do you love open water swimming/dipping/body boarding/swimbling? Do you need an incentive (however small) to keep going through winter? Do you love the craic that comes with the open-water swimming community? Then read on...
The UK-Wide Chatter Challenge was created as a fun way to keep us all motivated to swim throughout the winter period. It turned out that there were more swimmers out there who also needed some encouragement to keep swimming on those chilly winter days. Inspired by these like-minded souls who value the friendship and challenges of cold water swimming (and the winter period was no different to them) the Challenge came to life. You can either swim, socially swimble, dip, body board or play about in the water and there are five different award levels (bronze 1-39 dips), Silver (40-79), Gold (80-119) Platinum (120-150) then Diamond for 151. Each Leap Year, we are treated to 152 days, so the 152nd dip is a Pearl award (next one is 2024). The Chatter Tribe welcomes all abilities and thrives on smiles, kindness, encouragement, and support. There is no set distance to swim, or minimum time to spend in the water. There is a subscription option for everyone and new for 2022/23 they are:
THE ORIGINAL - swimming or dipping in any open water in your swimsuit or shorts. THE MIXED BAG - as per THE ORIGINAL but you can also do cold showers, ice baths or similar. ALL WETSUITS - swimming or dipping in any open water in a wetsuit. THE ULTIMATE - 365 days of swimming or dipping in any open water in your swimsuit or shorts - this one is a hardcore challenge and is at the request of Chatter Tribe members who wish to push themselves further. See the website for more details. Each year, there will be 20 additional mini-challenges to look forward to. Your mission is to check them out and join in if you fancy it. During the Challenge, on the daily motivational 'dipdate', participants post fantastic photos and videos of sunrises, moonrises, selfies, underwater shots, handstands, dark shots, day shots, dog shots, butt shots - all absolutely brilliant. An identifying feature of the Challenge is the branded beanie which you are treated to. the colours will vary each year. They are made from ultra warm wool and recycled plastic which has been designed especially for us and the quality is fantastic. There will also be lots of other surprise 'merch' to help you get through winter. The kit will help you stand out from the crowd as a member of the . Did you see the BBC One programme 'We are England' called 'Cold Swim' with a few of the Chattertribe? Check it out here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0013wq5/we-are-england-mental-health-cold-swim-tynemouth
In 2020/21, the Chatter Tribe raised a magnificent £1457.00 for the Marine Conservation Society and many of the participants completed separate charity dips for causes close to their hearts. An additional £200 was raised for the RNLI. In 2021/22, the Tribe sponsored two charities and raised £900; the RNLI (in the hope that we never need them but know they are there for us) and Sea Shepherd UK (who proactively look at all aspects marine conservation including the worldwide issue of ghost nets). 10% of the Challenge fee will be split between both of these charities. In 2022/23, The Tribe will be sponsoring The RNLI and Sea Shepherd again until the Challenge is well established. The personal and group achievements throughout this Challenge are mind blowing. I am very proud of everyone. I want to thank the Tribe for enjoying the madness, encouraging each other through those dark winter months, laughing, supporting and crying in equal measure, eating cake and for chattering their way through. You really are the best someone could ask for. The success of the first two years showed us all that there is a place for the Chatter Challenge in the winter open water swim challenge world. What will the Tribe achieve this winter season? What will YOU achieve this year? The website, www.chatterchallenge.com, is live. Check out our shop. Places are limited so grab yours as soon as you can when they are released w/c 01/08/22! Any questions, either message or email - we will be happy to answer all of your queries.
