Most of us have been getting out the hot water bottles, wearing layers and cranking the office heating up to get through this frosty January.

But a small group of people go out of their way to get even colder. Megan Carr spoke to the swimmers using Faversham Pools outside lido and even had a go herself...

Swimming is the best and most rewarding type of exercise there is, and you can't convince me otherwise.

I like to head down to Faversham Pools in Leslie Smith Drive at least six times a week and often do lengths for an hour or so in the indoor pool.

To my surprise, the outdoor pool is also open three times a week even in the sub-zero temperatures.

I wouldn't even dare to dunk my pinky toe in, but while I was putting my belongings in the lockers near the glass doors, I noticed plenty of people did.

I wondered what pushes the all-weather swimmers to brave the freezing outdoor temperatures in nothing more than their swimming costumes and trunks.

Yes, the outdoor pool is heated but the temperature around it isn’t! So what drives the hard-core swimmers?

Sam Williams, a film and TV location manager, is one of them and began swimming at the pool in March 2022.

The 46-year-old, who lives near Ashford, said: “I used to do triathlons, so I've done quite a lot of open water swimming in lakes, in a wetsuit, but I hadn't swam outside just in swimsuit before.

“But after the lockdown, I felt so shut in and I just wanted to get out and get swimming again so I thought I'd give it a try and get fit at the same time.”

Although Sam just wears her swimming costume in the brisk environment she did confirm there is a lot more that goes into the activity to ensure it stays enjoyable.

She added: “I usually wear two swim hats, which is good for warmth, and then it's just mind over matter.

“I just focus on my swim strokes, my breathing, and I just become mindful of how my body feels.

“Some days you'll do lots of lengths and swim a mile, and some days you only do ten minutes.

“I just feel like when you're in the open air it really focuses your brain and you have to really focus hard on the swimming.

“For me, when I swim inside, I find that I'm thinking about my shopping list or what I'm buying for dinner or my to-do list for work.

“Whereas when I'm outside, I'm focusing purely on my swimming, on my breathing."

The pool’s general manager, Jon Lazenby, agreed with Sam and explained some of the health benefits of swimming outside.

The 43-year-old said: “Cold water helps stimulate the brain and its neuropathways, there are also heart benefits.

“It is great for everyone and then the atmosphere and ambience of seeing the stars in the sky as you swim is lovely.”

Jon, who’s been in his position for two and a half years, said this year is the 60th anniversary of the outdoor pool being built and constructed.

The lido was built on donated land and the people of Faversham raised the funds for it by collecting a mile of pennies in 1964.

Faversham Pools is a standalone charity pool and has had little help from the council apart from funding here and there, which included the cost of its indoor pool being covered when it was built in 1993.

Jon added: “Lidos have kind of made a comeback since the pandemic.

“We've seen an increase in natural wild swimming and sea swimming since then but I think here at the pool we've got a safe environment.

“It's lit and swimmers know that the water quality is going to be good.

“Outdoor swimming can be a dangerous environment in the winter and we offer an alternative to that for those that want to carry on swimming outdoors.”

The outdoor pool is open for sunset swims from 6pm until 7.30pm on Tuesdays and 8pm on Thursdays. On Sundays, it is open from 8am until midday.

Duty manager, Lewis Waters, also swims outside when he is off the clock.

The 21-year-old said: “I always find that when I do swim outside I feel refreshed after.

“I think it's a really good thing to do to swim outside and I think people just really enjoy it.”

Armed with my new knowledge and appreciation for outdoor swimming I decided to finally brave the lido.

It is heated and I had been told it was 20c so after seeing the majority of the outdoor swimmers just in their normal costumes I thought I’d be ok in my high-necked swimsuit.

But I wasn’t.

I did a few lengths in the indoor pool to get my blood pumping and then took to the outside pool.

In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have gone outside, where it was 2c, with wet hair but I tried to fool myself that it would make the water feel warmer.

It did not.

As soon as my toes touched the waterline I was regretting my decision.

It was very chilly and every bone in my body felt like it was telling me this was going to be a bad idea.

I continued to make my way into the pool down the ladder and was soon up to my waist in water.

I was shaking with cold and my toes went numb instantly.

Not wanting to give up I tried to slow my breathing and waded deeper into the pool before diving underneath.

It was so cold. I wasn’t feeling the appeal at all. My mind wasn’t clear and I wasn’t experiencing mindfulness.

All I wanted to do was get out!

Sam had explained that outdoor swimming is something you may need specialist gear and training for in order for it to be more enjoyable and I definitely think that would have helped my experience.

I managed to do several lengths but couldn’t last more than 10 minutes.

After getting out of the pool I could barely walk because my bare feet were so numb.

My toes had gone white and I couldn’t feel them, I also began to develop the worst earache.

I grabbed my towel and felt like I had to defrost myself in the pool showers.

After warming myself, getting dressed, and zipping up my coat as high as it could go in an attempt to heat my core up, I soon realised that perhaps outdoor swimming was not for me.

I take my hat off to those who do it. I can see how with the right training, and some swim socks, outdoor swimming can be refreshing and enjoyable.

But for me it was far too brisk and all I discovered was that I am a massive wimp.

I’d much rather do my lengths in the warm indoor pool and save the outdoor pool for the summer.

As you can imagine I was very pleased to get home and put my warm pyjamas on and sit down with a hot cup of tea.

I’m in no rush to brave the elements again but have a new admiration for those who do.