Winter Swimming: Sub10 Club

Our Sub10 Club runs from 1 Nov until 31 March each year

Join our NOWCA Wild group (SUB10 CLUB) for all the latest news and announcements.

What is Sub10?

Sub10 refers to water temperature that drops below 10°C.

The Sub10 Club is our cold water community that swim through the Winter when water temperatures are most likely to drop below 10°C. The ethos is to help and support like minded swimmers and to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of cold water swimming in a safe setting.

As part of the Sub10 Club, we tally each member’s winter swim and reward swimmers with an embroidered badge at their 10, 25 and 50 Sub10 swim milestones for the season!

Distance and timed swims DO NOT form part of the Sub10 requirements. This initiative promotes self-awareness in cold water through education and stringent safety practices. There is also no minimum or maximum number of swims for any period of time.

The purpose is to connect with others that enjoy cold water swimming in a safe and beautiful setting.

NOTE: All swims must be booked on the ACTiO app (exceptions apply) and completed in-person at any participating venue for it to be included on the scoreboard and qualify for your award badge. Swimming “Events” are not eligible for a Sub10 Club tally.

How do I join?

Our Sub10 Club runs from 1 November until 31 March each year.

Joining the Sub10 Club is free and welcomes all swim abilities and experience, but you must have a current NOWCA membership for your swims to be included on the Sub10 Scoreboard.

In fact, the first time you swim in water at 10°C or below at any participating venue, you will automatically be enrolled to our Sub10 Club and your swim will be added to the monthly scoreboard.

So simply book your swim ‘Activity’ as usual and if the water temperature is sub10, your swim will be counted. Swimming ‘Events’ are not eligible for a Sub10 Club tally.

Sub10 Scoreboard

The Sub10 Scoreboard is updated after the end of each month. In order for your swim to be included on the scoreboard you MUST:

Pre-book your swim ‘Activity’ on the ACTiO app (except Cliff Lakes, St Andrews Lakes and Manley Mere) – swims can be booked even if a session has started. Swimming ‘Events’ are not eligible for a Sub10 Club tally.
If you do not have a confirmed booking on the app before you start your swim, it will not qualify and will not be included on the scoreboard.
Before you enter the water, make sure you tap-in using your NOWCA wristband. This will activate your Sub10 swim. Remember to tap-out before leaving the venue. If you fail to tap-in and out of a session, your swim will not qualify and will not be included on the scoreboard.

Award Badges 2025/26

Award badges recognise your Sub10 achievements for the season and cumulatively. All swims at participating venues will be added to your tally and count toward your sub10 award badge.

Seasonal Badges

Seasonal badges are awarded when you achieve 10, 25, or 50 swims within the season.

10 Swims

25 Swims

50 Swims

Centurion Badges

Centurion badges are awarded when you achieve 100, 200 and 300 swims – accumulated from your first ever Sub10 swim.

100 Swims

200 Swims

300 Swims

Participating Venues 2025/26

Many venues remain open all year round and can safely assist your cold water swims over winter. Here are the venues that participate in our Sub10 Club. We will automatically add your swim to the Sub10 scoreboard when the water temperature drops to 10°C or below at these venues. If your venue is not listed but would like to join the Sub10 Club, please ask them to get in contact with us.

Register Your Venue

Join the NOWCA Venue Network and participate in the Sub10 Club.

No cost to join and it’s hassle-free!

Don't have a venue nearby?

Join Wild Sub10 Club

We have now expanded the Sub10 Club to NOWCA Wild – enabling every swimmer to take part and be rewarded for safe winter swimming.

Sub10 Merch 2025/26

Online shop is now open!

Commemorate your Sub10 Club participation and celebrate your achievement!

Check out our range of Sub10 Club, Milestone and Centurion merch.

Grab your beanies, hoodies, and check out our new Sub10 x Notch collection.

Prices from only £15

Preparing for Cold Water Swimming

Cold Water Swimming is an amazing activity with many benefits but is also higher risk than summer swimming. It is really important for the safety of our swimmers and our staff that we limit risk of rescue by ensuring we all have the right information and understanding of the dangers. Not just on entry to the water and during a swim but also during the recovery phase.

We recommend all members read our Cold Water Safety Guide to help prepare for Winter swimming.

We also offer a Cold Water Induction online course, created to ensure swimmers are fully equipped to swim safely in cold water. It’s an opportunity to dispel common myths whilst providing swimmers with the information needed to mitigate risks associated with cold water swimming such as hypothermia and the dangers associated with the body’s cold-water shock response.

As well as looking at the mental health benefits this course also focuses on cold water shock and the body’s physiological response to exposure to cold water. You will learn about vital safety information, self monitoring, recognising warning signs, post swim recovery, what to do (and not to do) in an emergency, neoprene vs skin swimming, safe entry, acclimatisation, and what equipment you will need.

The course is available to members and non-members, but as an added bonus, NOWCA members get 75% off from NOWCA Perks.

If you have completed the Cold Water Induction course previously, you DO NOT need to do it again. However, you may be asked to show proof so make sure you bring it with you to your swim session so the venue staff can update your profile on the system.

A Cold Water Induction is mandatory at some venues, so if you plan to swim throughout Winter, start preparing now.

Some venues may offer an ONSITE Cold Water Induction.

Check directly with the venue to understand their cold water requirements and winter swimming policy.