Hitting the water with Blue Balls Cornwall

Blueballs Cornwall was started in 2021 by two friends Tom & Ross, who wanted to share their stories & encourage men to uncover the health benefits that cold water swimming can have to your well-being.  We caught up with the group in Holywell Bay where they shared their life experiences and why cold-water swimming has been so beneficial for their mental health. They explained that the cold water is a great way to release the stresses of day-to-day life, relieve anxiety & depression and to help cope & deal with trauma & grief. There is a real stigma among men, where opening up and talking about emotions is bottled, community groups like Blueballs are out there to help elevate those pressures and get men opening up, sharing stories & chatting to reduce the suicide rates within the UK.

Unfortunately, suicide rates are ever-increasing with 75% of all suicides being male.  Around 12 men a day kill themselves as a result of mental illness. Ross has also started a project called ManDown Cornwall, that co insides with Blueballs which is a Cornish men’s mental health support group. The ManDown project provides informal peer-support talking to groups all over Cornwall for men with mental health concerns.

Observing how this group come together for a swim at Holywell Bay was truly inspiring with new faces turning up, watching the group getting into the water together & chatting in the sea. If anyone is interested in joining these guys for a swim, head over to their social media. Here is a little bit more about them, from Tom Mason the Co-founder of Blue Balls: 

Why did you start Blueballs? 

We set up Blue Balls to encourage gents into the water to discover the physical and mental health benefits that the ocean can provide. 

Where do you go cold water swimming? 

All over Cornwall, we try to make the group as accessible to as many men as possible, so we mix up the north and south coasts for our dips.

What are the mental benefits of cold-water swimming? 

We're not scientists but it's known to reduce depression and anxiety, cold water also produces dopamine, the happy hormone! 

"We wanted to create a group where men can be men and be themselves, and not have to prove anything to anyone else, and that's what we have created and I'm really proud of the group. Cold water makes me feel completely present and at one with the environment, you can't really think about anything else other than the cold water because it is so cold, and the feeling after is the one for me, nobody ever feels worse than coming out of the water than when they went in" - Tom, CO-Founder of Blueballs.

How does the cold water affect you physically and mentally?

 It gives you the opportunity to reset. No matter what you're feeling prior to a swim, all you can think about once you're in, is the cold water and your immediate surroundings. It's brilliant for mindfulness and appreciating your environment. Physically, cold water is a great recovery tool. I box and have recently started jiu-jitsu and I've found it really eases muscle aches after training.

What's the best way to get into the cold water?

Take your time, think about your breathing and relax. The ocean can be an unforgiving place so we always suggest going with a friend and if it's just too choppy, forget the ego and save it for another day.

What's your best advice to those who are suffering with their mental health & to give cold water swimming a go? 

Come and try it! Blue Balls is a supportive group and there is no pressure to stay in the water any longer than you feel comfortable with. If you feel nervous about the cold water or anxious about meeting new people, anybody can drop us a message and we'll make sure you're looked after.

"We wanted to create a group where men can be men and be themselves, and not have to prove anything to anyone else, and that's what we have created and I'm really proud of the group. Cold water makes me feel completely present and at one with the environment, you can't really think about anything else other than the cold water because it is so cold, and the feeling after is the one for me, nobody ever feels worse than coming out of the water than when they went in" - Tom, CO-Founder of Blueballs.

"I got diagnosed with ADHD as a teenager, so ever since then I've suffered massively with my mental health. I had a very dysfunctional relationship with alcohol and drugs, which I used as a coping mechanism, but I've been sober now for 6 years. Cold water swimming for me gives me a complete reset mentally and emotionally, It's great for my mindset and wellbeing and acts as a positive distraction" - Ross, Co-Founder of Blueballs

Do you think there is a stigma between males when opening up about their mental health? 

Unfortunately, there is still a huge stigma and shame around men's mental health. 75% of suicides are men and Cornwall has the 3rd highest suicide rate in the UK. Similar to Man Down who we are closely aligned to, Blue Balls is a safe place where men can be themselves without having to prove anything to anybody. I'm very proud of the community we have created.

How has the Blueballs community helped you? 

Cold water swimming has fundamentally changed my life. I wanted to share my experiences and create a community where others can feel part of something as poor mental health can sometimes make you feel like you're on your own. Blue Balls is nothing without the guys that turn up each week and the fact they do, is something very special to me and a feeling that Ross and I will never take for granted. 

If you fancy joining in with the BlueBalls follow there page here @blueballscornwall

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