The Winter Ponds

'The Winter Ponds’. Part 01

These images were taken at the end of 2022 when we encountered a cold weather snap. Temperatures plummeted to freezing, thick fog descended and heavy snow fall followed, enveloping Hampstead Heath. For me, the scene was set.

In one of my favourite Winter swim locations, I captured brave swimmers taking on the challenge of swimming in waters with temperatures hovering just above freezing - which others know as Baltic conditions. Lifeguards were forced to reduce the size of the swim area due to the thick fog and swimmers took a quick loop before the ice water numbed their fingers and toes.

Despite these rare weather conditions, there were still a few swimmers who took a leap off the famous spring board into the freezing waters of the Men’s Ponds! I was just glad I was there to capture it!

This made for an amazing opportunity to capture swimmer going about their  daily swims and a rare few took to the famous spring board to take a leap into the freezing water of the Mens Ponds.