A DUNFERMLINE man is encouraging people to take the plunge and try open-water swimming.

James Daw, who moved to Dunfermline 14 years ago, has launched a new wild swimming coaching business in the hope of building people's confidence in open water so they can appreciate the many benefits it has to offer.

He told the Press: "Sometimes when people get in the water they can feel quite tense and not relaxed.

"The approach I take is, we do it at your speed so you're relaxed and you know that you're totally safe. Then, once you're into it, you can really feel the benefit of it and just chill and feel the beauty of the water, how it sort of holds you as you lie floating."

A regular swimmer at both Lochore Meadows and Aberdour's Silver Sands, where he conducts his swim lessons, James also swims with the Master's Squad at Dunfermline Amateur Swimming Club and has completed many swim adventures across Scotland and Europe – including swims around and across the Forth.

He also holds a number of qualifications, such as his Level 1 Swim Coaching qualification from Scottish Swimming, Open Water Swim Coaching and Open Water Safety qualifications from the Swimming Teachers Association and his Safer Stand-Up Paddleboard qualification from British Canoeing.

James will be offering a range of services through his business, including introductions to cold water swimming, cold immersion therapy, sessions to improve open-water swimming techniques and triathlon training.

He continued: "I don't quite know what happens to the body but after a swim, you just feel much more relaxed, and so I think swimming in open water must release endorphins as everyone is on a high after a swim.

"You just come away with a great glow and I think that's what makes it addictive. A lot of people are just looking for someone to take that first step with.

"There's quite a few things I've got to offer so it would be great to get the opportunity to help people with that."

For more information on James' experience, coaching style and training sessions, visit www.roundtheislandswimcoaching.co.uk or follow the business on social media.