Britain’s drinking culture has become ingrained in our society. We push our friends to try their first drink at the age of 18, abide by light-hearted slogans such as ‘Wine O’Clock’, and even book big ‘drinking holidays’ with pals; there’s no doubt that enjoying an alcoholic drink is the norm for many Brits. 

This is something local lady Tiffany Gale is trying to challenge. Sober Sea Swimmers came about in September 2024 as a result of Tiffany’s own questions around sobriety. Her firmly rooted passion for wellness and outdoor activity became a driving force behind the project.

“I’m really passionate about exploring the grey area of drinking,” Tiffany told Falmouth Life. “What is the gap between hitting rock bottom and just having a drink? Sometimes it only takes a death in the family or something to happen in our lives to make us turn to the bottle, and for these people, sometimes AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) groups don't align with them.”

This is something Tiffany herself has battled with. She was not what would be considered an alcoholic, yet felt compelled to turn to alcohol at the weekends in order to blur a stressful week at work, or to have fun. 

“I don’t have a very good relationship with drinking,” she continued. “I wanted to try a different way to combat my habits, but there was nothing locally. I connected with others through online groups, and that’s when I realised that it would have been helpful if I had local people with a similar outlook around me. Lots of my family and friends drink, so if you’re trying to stop something, like drinking or smoking, and there’s people around you doing it all the time, it’s really hard to quit.”

With this in mind, Tiffany started Sober Sea Swimmers, a group that welcomes anyone who is free for an evening swim in the sea to come along, beat their habits, and connect with others in a similar position. With some 200 members on the Facebook group, they meet twice a week for a swim and a chat.

Sober Sea Swimmers has recently been granted CIC status (Community Interest Company), which means Tiffany will be able to apply for funding to run community workshops and programmes to support others in their journey navigating sobriety. 

Tiffany added: “If you’re not drinking, it’s like you’re so odd in society. I think we’re very confused with our relationship with alcohol in this country. It has become the norm. This group celebrates the joy of being sober. I still go out with my friends and have fun, then head home when I’ve had enough. I wake up in the morning and go for a run, or go paddleboarding or swimming. 

“It’s all about knowing that you can break unhelpful behaviours and create new habits that will make you feel good. This group is about sea swimming, nature, community - most importantly - and building connections.”

Sober Sea Swimmers will be running a mass group swim on 10th May, and invite anyone curious about sobriety, cutting back on their alcohol consumption, or simply finding peace in nature, to come along, bring your own picnic and connect with your community. 

For more information, join Sober Sea Swimmers on Facebook.

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