How Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers Became a Thriving Community
Every morning on Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, a group of friendly, like-minded people gather to embrace the joy of sea swimming, fresh air, and good company. This is Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers (GWS), a community initiative that began in 2019, founded by Nick Banfield. With his trademark flag and a heart for community, Nick, alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, has built a welcoming space where people can connect, challenge themselves, and experience the wellbeing benefits of cold water swimming.
More Than Just a Swim Club
GWS isn’t just about braving the cold water—though that’s certainly part of it. It’s about creating a space where people can support their mental, emotional, and physical well-being for free. No fees—just a spirit of generosity and connection. The group offers swim coaching, meditation sessions, yoga, life coaching, and art workshops, all designed to help people feel happier, healthier, and more at home in themselves.
When shaping the GWS constitution, Nick and Paul Hills carefully considered whether to introduce membership fees. However, they decided that altruism would be a core value, and to keep things truly inclusive, everything would remain free. This ethos has inspired an incredible team of people who now offer their time and skills, expanding GWS into a thriving community with an ever-widening range of activities.
Nick recalls how it all started: “It was about five of us in the beginning. We put up a flag, and then it went to about ten, then fifteen, twenty… and then we did a bit of swim coaching. I brought in Olympian Keri-Anne Payne to train some of our guys, and I thought, ‘Wow, we can really do something here.’”
And do something they did. What started as just swimming soon expanded—Nick and Paul figured, why stop at swimming? Soon, they had a yoga teacher, meditation sessions, mentoring, coaching, and even an artist group. Now, the club has become a living, breathing community that runs itself.
A Place for Everyone (Really, Everyone)
The magic of GWS is that you don’t need to be an experienced swimmer—or even get in the water—to be part of it. Some people come just to sit on the beach and enjoy the vibes. Others dip a toe in and decide that’s plenty. No one’s judging. Whether you’re a seasoned cold-water swimmer or just looking for a friendly space to unwind, you’ll be welcomed with open arms (and maybe a hot flask of tea after a swim).
Measuring Wellbeing
One of the unique aspects of GWS is its commitment to tracking wellbeing, not just swimming progress. As Nick explains, “We use measuring scales to assess progress at the end of our courses. Arguably, maybe we should measure at the start, which we do sometimes. However, for people who just pitch up to our group, we're in the process of starting to measure with an all-inclusive holistic approach.” It’s not about stats and numbers—it’s about how people feel, how they connect, and how they grow.
Meet the GWS Team
GWS wouldn't be what it is without the generosity and commitment of its volunteers, who bring their skills, time, and passion to create something truly special:
Paul Hills, Clare Duncan, Sarah Tridgell, Martha Dixon, Kelly Marsh, Ellen Mason, and Karen Geisler Gray are all swim coaches, with Karen also serving as the Safeguarding, Health & Safety Officer. Sarah Tridgell is also a qualified yoga teacher, bringing a mindful, holistic touch to the team. Tiff Gale is not only a swim coach but also a Healing from Abandonment coach, The Artist’s Way coach, founder of The 10 O’clock Club, and chair of Sober Sea Swimmers. Oskar van Winden leads the Wednesday evening social swims alongside his coaching, while Simon Harvey contributes as both a swim and wellbeing coach and the group’s meditation lead.
Nicole Toomey leads the yoga sessions, and Julie Watson runs the Paint Yourself Happy workshops. Ali Dawe heads up the Beach Buddies initiative, while Leonie Skelton leads the walking and running activities.
Sheena Hawkins serves as the group secretary, ensuring everything runs smoothly, while Sharon Jenkins takes on the role of treasurer. Ian Sandison, described as "The Contrarian," plays a key role in ensuring all activities align with the mission and values of GWS.
Safety, Support, and a No-Nonsense Policy
GWS takes safety seriously, ensuring everyone has the knowledge and skills to swim responsibly. The group also operates with clear values: inclusivity, kindness, and respect. It's just good people looking out for each other and the environment.
What's Ahead for GWS?
Reflecting on how far GWS has come, Nick admits: “I don’t know where it’s gonna go… sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming, but it just carries on.” And that’s the beauty of it. The community has grown organically, driven by the energy and generosity of its members. As long as people keep showing up, GWS will keep evolving.
Join the Fun!
If you fancy a dip, a stretch, or just a chat with some friendly faces, come along! GWS meets every day at 8AM, winter or summer, at Gyllyngvase Beach. There's also a 10 o’clock group that meets every morning for those who might like to hit the snooze button a few times. No pressure, no fees—just a warm welcome and a great community.
Find out more by joining the Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers Facebook group or heading down to the beach.
