Other Countries
The Western Baray, Angkor, Cambodia
What’s this page about Digger?
This page provides a gazetteer of the “best” wild swims that I have enjoyed outsdie England. Its ordered by “sort of” geographical areas that I list below. I’ve provided basic information on Location, Grid Refs, Features, Hazards (as if..), Date of Last Swim and on occasion a photograph!
Best In Bulgaria
Ditchin
(A THREE TRUNK location because although it looks good, swimming is bit restrictive and there are quite a few flies about.)
Location
Adjacent to where the River Rositsa passes the archaeological site known as Gradishte (near the modern village of Ditchin), nearest big town is Veliko Turnova.
Grid Ref
No OS coverage.
Features
Slow and fast flowing water, shade and friendly locals.
Hazards
Flies rumoured to be mosquitos.
Date of Last Swim
Sadly August 2001
Nicopolis
(A FIVE TRUNK location, worth going to Bulgaria just for this.)
!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!
Location
Adjacent to where the River Rositsa passes the Roman City known as Nicopolis AD Istrum (near the modern village of Nikiup), nearest big town is Veliko Turnova.
Grid Ref
No OS coverage.
Features
Slow and fast flowing water, good jump-in spots and excellant sun-bathing grass on bank..
Hazards
No shade, gets a bit dirty if there has been a storm (just soil- I think), locals bring their horses and clothes to wash here.
Date of Last Swim
Sadly August 2001
Best In Cambodia
Western Baray
(A FIVE TRUNK location even better for being hand dug 1000yrs ago)
Mr Long and Digger in the Western Baray
Location
The beach the locals use is at the western end not far from Road 6 (which ultimately goes to Bangkok). We got a moto rickshaw to take us there and the driver, Mr Long, joined me in the water (despite not being able to swim!!!!)
Grid Ref
No OS coverage.
Features
Small sandy beach with gentle access into the large lake. If that wasn’t enough there are cafes, beach huts and you can hire inner tubes. It may look just like any old lake until I tell you it was constructed 1000 years ago by hand to provide water for the intensive cultivation around Angkor and it is an incredible 8km by 2.2km in size.
Hazards
Occasional boats and a little bit of pollution but nothing to write home about.
Date of Last Swim
Sadly March 2003
Best In Cuba
Salto Del Caburni
(A FIVE TRUNK location despite the long and hot walk to get there)
Location
The pool under the Salto del Caburni (near Trinidad) and requires a 2.5km walk from Topes de Collantes
Grid Ref
No OS and definately no USA coverage.
Features
Large pool with strong currents near the actual fall, easy access and wasn’t very busy.
Hazards
No sun-bathing area, but the only real hazard is the 2.5km walk back through the jungle.
Date of Last Swim
January 2002
La Batata
(A FIVE TRUNK location partly based on its unusual and hidden location)
!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!
Location
The Lonely Planet says La Batata, a large cave containing an underground river, begins at a parking sign just up the hill from Parque La Represa. When you reach another highway, go around the right side of the concrete embankment in front of you and down the hill. Always keep straight or right after this point (avoid trails to the left). Allow an hour each way. Its possible to swim in pools in the cave.
They forgot to mention that you should turn right at the first river you come to or you will walk for hours through uninhabited jungle in the 35 degree heat.
Grid Ref
No OS and definately no USA coverage.
Features
Fabulous hidden cave setting
Hazards
Bat poo!!!!
Date of Last Swim
January 2002
Best In Czech Republic
Telc
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
Location
Fishpond Ulicky is located to the west of a lovely town called Telc in the Czech Republic.
Grid Ref
I’m sure I can find one now that they are in the EU
Features
Surprisingly shallow (and no evidence of fish)
Hazards
Fortunately I had just got out by the time the police man cycled past.
Date of Last Swim
October 2003
Best In France
Pyrennes
(A FOUR TRUNK location with a minus 10 due to coldness)
Location
Hmm location….. Now you have to remember I was there during the France 98 World Cup and I believe we visited this waterfall around the time of the Argentina game. I think its in the Oueil Valley possibly near Bagneres de Luchon.
Grid Ref
No idea
Features
Refreshing swim with excellent views
Hazards
Refreshing = f***king freezing
Date of Last Swim
June 1998
Best In Gambia
Bansang
(A definate FIVE TRUNK location)
Location
Probably at Bansang (30km east of Georgetown) in an area known as the interior which for a country only 40km wide is a bit of an exaggeration. Just follow the local boys who look wet.
Grid Ref
Now thats a question.
Features
The local boys swim here so it must be a delightfull spot to swim (see below)
Hazards
Try not to worry too much about the very strong current, vultures sat on a tree nearby and the knowledge that hippos & crocodiles live upstream (don’t always trust the locals!).
Date of Last Swim
January 1998
Best In Germany
Maschsee, Hannover
Location
The Maschsee is located a mere 500m from the city centre. The official swim spot is at the south end of the lake.
Grid Ref
Hmmm.
Features
As if practically being in the centre of the city isn’t enough some kind sole has put down loads of sand to make a beach. Although they have also build changing rooms, showers, bars and a fence so they can charge you!
Hazards
The bottom of the lake had a very slimey feel to it. Hopefully its not related to the duck poo which abounds on the adjacent grass.
Date of Last Swim
23rd June 2006
Best In Guatemala
Los Vahos
(Hot water = FIVE TRUNK swim)
Location
Los Vahos (The Vapors) is 3km from Parque Centroamerica near Almolonga.
Grid Ref
Now thats a question.
Features
Sauna/steam bath and poolside bar.
Hazards
Locals in Y-fronts (oh and its bloody hot).
Date of Last Swim
March 1999
Best In Holland
River Waal, Nijmegen
(The setting is a FIVE TRUNK, but watch out for the current, and the big ships!!)
Location
Theres sort of a country park type area adjacent to the river to the north of the town. Rather surprisingly you will discover that this means going down a hill (yes thats a hill in Holland!!).
Grid Ref
Hmm
Features
Sandy beach, lots of horse for company and quite (ok very) strong current in the middle of the river. Oh and an interesting bridge crossing the river. It, or probably its predecessor, was one of those captured during Operation Market Garden during WW2. However, this one was not the bridge too far.
Hazards
Lots of excited horses (maybe they don’t see river swimming very often), big boats/ships and a crazed Dutchman added to the excitement.
Date of Last Swim
25th June 2006
Best In Mallorca
Torrent De Pareis
(The setting is a FIVE TRUNK, but unfortunately the swimming only FOUR)
Location
Torrent de Pareis (near Calobra). The rough guide suggest decend from Escorca which requires rock-climbing skills, wetsuits and ropes! I’d suggest you follow the partly tunnelled concrete walkway for 5 mins from Sa Calobra.
Grid Ref
No idea
Features
Nice shingle beach, lots of different pools to choose from, great scenary, and even the option of sea swimming.
Hazards
None really. Well except for falling rocks and occasional coach partee loads of tourist (just pick a pool more than 10 metres from the concrete path and they will never find you.
Date of Last Swim
June 2002
Best In Mexico
Agua Azul
Location
Off the winding mountain road between Ocosingo and Palenque. This fantastic spot is located in the Parque Nacional of the same name.
Grid Ref
No idea
Features
The whole area is exceptionally beautiful and there are plenty of less busy places to swim if you walk upstream away from the tourist bit.
Hazards
Apparently there have been attacks on tourists upsteam (only just read that!), which may explain why there are guards every so often along the path.
Date of Last Swim
March 2005
Misol-Ha
Location
Approximately 18km from Palenque and a 1.5km walk from the main road. You can even stay in some of the most beautiful wooden cabanas in Mexico according to my guide book. Now why didn’t I read that while I was there?
Grid Ref
No idea
Features
A 25m waterfall forms the stunning backdrop to a good pool which is fine for swimming.
Hazards
The signs warns you not to go into the pool in your clothes or shoes because it is deep! So you have been warned.
Date of Last Swim
March 2005
Rio Grijalva In Canon Del Sumidero (Mexico)
Location
This swim in in the town of Chiapa de Corzo (I think) where the boats leave for trips up the canyon. Its about 50km from San Cristobal de las Casas.
Grid Ref
No idea
Features
What more could you ask for steps leading into the water and adjacent bars/restaurants!
Hazards
The water was quite fast flowing and I suppose I should mention the crocodiles!
Date of Last Swim
March 2005
Best In Nepal
On Route To Everest Base Camp
Location
Look for a glacial lake in-between the mountains near Dublha.
Grid Ref
No idea, but somewhere where its cold!
Features
Beautiful scenery with mountain and glacier backdrop.
Hazards
Floating ice and I suppose I should mention the cold…..
Date of Last Swim
March 2004
Rapti River In Chitwan National Park At Sauraha
Location
Go in adjacent to the Jungle Pub (preferably before having a drink).
Grid Ref
Features
Easy access, handy pub and variable depths of water.
Hazards
Surprisingly shallow, quite a strong current in middle and I suppose I should mention that this is the elephants bathing area!
Date of Last Swim
March 2004
Best In Tanzania
Ngo Dong River
(A FIVE TRUNK location and even warm water)
Location
To the south of Gezaulole village.
Grid Ref
Features
Excellent stretch of fairly isolated warm water close to where it enters the sea. The latter affects the depth, although there are always places deep enough for a proper swim. Very tame birds in the adjacent bushes can be viewed if you are quiet.
Hazards
Some people might find the water too warm!!!!! We did have a possible sighting of a crocodile, but it turned out to be a tree branch in the water.
Date of Last Swim
25th October 2006
Best In Vietnam
Ngo Dong River
(A THREE TRUNK location: excellent views but muddy)
(I’m the tiny blob on the right)
Location
My swim was in the very touristy bit of the river at Tam Coc. Its about 9km to the SW of Ninh Binh, not too far from Hanoi.
Grid Ref
Not known
Features
Warm and shallow water, along with breathtaking views.
Hazards
Due to the warm and shallow water the bottom of the river is very muddy. More worryingly is that Vietnam has Schistosomiasis! Also known as Bilharzia! Its transmitted by minute worms tht enter through your skin and attach themselves to your intestines or bladder. The resulting infection often causes no symptoms until the disease is well established (several months to years after exposure) and damage to internal organs is irreversible. STILL least you had a good swim!
Date of Last Swim
February 2003
Perfume River
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
Location
Perfume River passes through the city of Hue in central Vietnam. I chose a spot for a swim c. 6km to the south near the village of Tuan to the north of the car ferry.
Grid Ref
Not known
Features
The bank from the adjacent road is a bit steep, but some kind sole has built concrete steps. Its a bit stoney and gets deep pretty quick.
Hazards
None really, although I did gain a crowd of school children.
Date of Last Swim
February 2003