Find Your Crew: Why Connection and Community Make All the Difference This January

Here at Red, we’re no strangers to the ‘Blue Monday’ phenomenon – the winter blues are tough! Short days and long nights can feel isolating, and motivation is at an all-time low when it’s dark before work and dark again by dinner.  

For those of us who love life by the water, even motivation isn’t always enough to get us into the water, despite knowing the well-documented benefits of blue spaces for our mental health – improved mood, reduced stress, better mental resilience, to name a few. 

So…our big secret to staying positive through the winter and still being able to make the most of the blue spaces near you? Finding your crew. It’s about community, finding people who’ll help you keep turning up to blue spaces all year round – yep, even in cold, dark January. 

When you’re part of a community built around shared experiences in the water, you’re more likely to keep showing up and reaping the mental health benefits that come with that cold plunge and simply being near the water. There are familiar faces, safety in numbers, and often a post-dip coffee or chat that becomes just as important as the swim or paddle itself. 

Community turns “Should I go?” into “I’ll see you there.”  

At Red, we’re proud to partner with incredible water-based communities across the UK and globally, who are all about connection, inclusivity, and getting people into blue spaces – no matter the season.  

If you’re looking to find your crew to help you through the winter, here are a few of our fantastic communities to check out:  

Yorkshire Dippers

Yorkshire, UK

The Yorkshire Dippers are a loud, joyful, no-nonsense cold water swim crew who believe the sea is best shared. They come for the cold, but stay for the laughter, support, and the feeling that everyone belongs exactly as they are.

→ See the Yorkshire Dippers in action  

Girly Dips

London, UK

Girly Dips is a joyful cold water swim community based in London lidos, built on laughter, encouragement, and showing up exactly as you are. It’s not just about the cold — it’s about connection, confidence, and finding warmth together in and out of the water.

→ See Girly Dips in action

Blue Balls

Devon, Cornwall & Edinburgh, UK

Blue Balls is a men’s cold water swim community built around connection, support, and showing up together whatever the weather. It’s about more than the swim, it’s a space to reset, belong, and look after mental health side by side in the sea. 

→ See Blue Balls in action

Seaham Seaside Swimmers

Seaham, North East England

Seaham Seaside Swimmers are a fun, welcoming cold water swim community known for their energy, fancy dress, and strong sense of belonging. They bring people together year-round to share the cold, the laughter, and the post-swim warmth.

→ See the Seaham Seaside Swimmers in action  

Sea Gals

Various locations across Australia

For our friends down-under, Sea Gals is a strong, supportive community of women in Western Australia who come together to swim, connect, and lift each other up in the ocean. It’s about resilience, shared moments, and the power of doing life and swimming together. 

→ See Sea Gals in action 

Clovelly Crustoceans 

Gordons Bay, Sydney, Australia

The Clovelly Crustoceans are a welcoming early-morning swim community in Sydney, meeting every Friday at 6:15am to start the day together in the ocean. It’s about showing up, sharing the water, and finding connection and belonging through a simple swim.

→ See the Clovelly Crustoceans in action

Loch Insh Dippers

Loch Insh, Scottish Highlands

The Loch Insh Dippers are a welcoming cold water swim community set against the stunning Cairngorm mountains in the Scottish Highlands. Made up of swimmers and dippers of all paces, they come together year-round for the water, the connection, and the shared warmth afterwards.

→ See the Loch Insh Dippers in action

Into the Blue 

Various locations around the UK 

Into the Blue is a supportive cold‑water swimming initiative that blends the restorative power of the sea with community and peer support for people affected by cancer. Founded in 2023 by Ellie Ricketts, it offers group swims and shared experiences that help participants reconnect with their bodies, nature and others during recovery and beyond.

→ See Into the Blue in action

Tynemouth Outdoor Swimmers 

Tynemouth, UK

Tynemouth Outdoor Swimmers are a dedicated cold water swim community based on the North East coast of England. Known for their early mornings, strong swimming culture, and post-swim coffees, they bring people together year-round to share the sea, the effort, and the camaraderie.

→ See the Tynemouth Outdoor Swimmers in action

Find your crew 

Ready to dive in? Find a local community to join using our map of swim groups around the UK.