The call of the sea has brought together women from Fife and beyond into a community that’s all about scenic open-water swimming, wellness and fundraising. Co-founder Caroline Blair talks making waves with Bob & Blether

Lead image: Bob & Blether’s six co-founders gathered for a dip. Credit: Marc Millar Photography

“It all started with a New Year’s swim and some encouragement from my friend and one of our founding members, Jamie. She’d been cold-water swimming for a while, but after that January the two of us met up regularly to spend time in the sea. I happened to say to her one day: ‘I just love coming for a wee bob and a blether with you.’ We both really connected with that; then two became four, four became six, and now – two years later – we’re at 108 members.

The privilege of St Andrews’ stunning beaches is not lost on us. We swim at a beautiful spot called Castle Sands, and regularly pop to East and West Sands, Kingsbarns and Eden Springs. As well as local members, we have people who travel from as far as Yorkshire. In an average week, we’ll have four or five swims, with around 50 people in the water when they’re at their busiest.

Bob & Blether’s scenic swimming spots

Depending on the time of year, ‘swimrises’ can be between 5.30 and 7.30am. We’re a group of women who wear different hats during our daily lives, but when we come together and put our Bob & Blether hats on, we get to be whoever we want to be that day. The sea is such a leveller – there’s no hierarchy. We have some friendships in the group that are so strong, and it’s all because of that shared achievement of going for their first swim.

We have a lot of brilliant local partnerships – Wild Scottish Sauna, for one – and this links into the charities we work with. A lot of people joined the group off the back of our first International Women’s Day event, where we raised around £3k for Dundee Women’s Aid. We raised double that at our 2024 event, and a motion was put forward in the Scottish Parliament not long after, recognising the role we’ve played in the community.

One thing that concerns us around the cold-water swimming narrative is this resilience idea – as though you’re meant to endure something for it to be effective. It’s not about that for us. It’s about the connections and that strong feeling of community, not the amount of time you stay in the sea.

I do my best thinking in the water. It calms my nervous system, and brings me clarity. Something really magical happens as soon as the water hits your ankles, and if you’re doing that with other people – it’s just awesome.”

Head to instagram.com/bobandblether for more info on swims