Cold water wellness is a trend which shows no sign a slowing down. Hobbies such as cold-water swimming saw an influx in lockdown with many retreating to their local lakes and beaches to get their wellness hit, with the likes of Fearne Cotton and Russell Brand championing the benefits it had on their mind and body.
As the seasons start to change and people look for ways to up their wellbeing in the darker months, now is the time to explore cold water wellness trends combined with fitness that can help invigorate and improve wellbeing.
Whilst some people are a little apprehensive to ‘dip their toe’ into the world of freshwater swimming, simply being surrounded by fresh water can be just as beneficial – and a little bit warmer! Saskia Pursglove, Spa Manager at the new Wave Garden Spa at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, which is located amongst the picturesque Snowdonia mountains and is home to the UK’s first inland surfing lagoon, explains how the Stand Up Paddleboard could be the answer to cold water wellness in 2022.
Saskia says “Many of our guests opt for the surfing on our lagoon as a high energy, adrenaline sport when visiting us, but many overlook the wellness benefits of a calm stand up paddle session. The main exercise of SUP is balance and stillness, and I think the same can also be said for what it does to the mind when out on the water. Being barefoot on a SUP, you’re grounded and disconnected from the digital world and are forced to focus on your breathing, your body and your mind.”
“Not only is it perfect for a mixed age and ability group, it is also a great low impact workout that helps with core strength, working the back muscles, arms, legs, shoulders, and torso. It is also a great stress reliever due to the natural sedative nature of the water around you, being out in the open on your own can almost feel meditative. I love sitting down on my board, closing my eyes and listening to surrounding nature.”
Saskia goes on to say “For a real wellness boost, finish a cold-water session with a warming treatment to really feel the benefits of alternate thermotherapy. Heat and cold therapy are often recommended to help relieve an aching pain that results from muscle or joint damage, but there is nothing more comforting for the mind than a cosy warm treatment to cocoon yourself. Basic heat therapy at home can involve the use of a hot water bottle, pads that can be heated in a microwave, or a warm bath. At the Wave Garden Spa, we have a menu of incredible treatments that soothe post SUP muscles and warm from the outside in.”
The Wave Garden Spa, a multi-million-pound development, opened in May 2021 along with the landmark new Hilton Garden Inn at Adventure Parc Snowdonia. It sits on the edge of a spectacular inland surf lagoon, with an uplifting backdrop of Snowdonia’s mountains and forests. Once guests have reconnected with nature on the lagoon, they are invited into the warming spa, and adjoining spa garden which looks right out over the lagoon.
Saskia says “My recommended treatment at our spa would have to be the Hot Wave Massage, a bespoke massage which can only be enjoyed at The Wave Garden Spa, designed to warm and soothe the aching muscles of surfers and paddle boarders after a hard day on the lagoon. The massage incorporates a hot melting balm blend to soothe the mind and body. This intense but gentle deep heat full body massage uses warm eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender oil, a trio that relaxes the mind and body, and used with hot ceramic pods promotes a slumber state. Deep muscle massage helps fatigued muscles and tired minds recover while helping the body and mind to experience an idyllic state of relaxation.”
The Hot Wave Massage, starts from £75 pp
Stand Up Paddle Boarding Sessions can be booked at Adventure Park Snowdonia from £30
Vouchers can be purchased athttps://www.adventureparcsnowdonia.com/checkout/gift-cards-checkout/