CHALLENGE

Ambitious challenges conquered by outdoor swimmers.

Our oldest mixed relay across the English Channel

David Rock and his swim buddies tell us about their record-breaking (pending ratification) oldest mixed 4-person relay across the Channel,…
Unsinkable: Alan Corcoran’s swim of the length of Ireland

Alan Corcoran swam the length of Ireland in memory of his father. He spoke to Jonathan Cowie about his experience.
What does it take to swim an ice mile?

If you’ve ever seen a swimmer at the end of their ice mile, you’ll appreciate what an incredible feat of…
“I learnt to swim from scratch then took on an English Channel relay”

Hafsa Mughal went from complete beginner to English Channel relay swimmer, all in the space of five months. Now an…
UltraSwim33.3 makes a splash in Montenegro

Today marked the first day of UltraSwim33.3, a brand new swimming event that has attracted 120 athletes from 23 countries…
Event Review: Dock2Dock – London Royal Docks

Readers Pim Kalisvaart and Nicky Rough share their experience of swimming Dock2Dock, a London event that offers open water swims…
A record-setting relay in Windermere

Niamh Lewis reports on a Windermere relay beset by challenges, including a broken down support boat.
Jessika Robson becomes youngest person to swim the North Channel

At just 17-years old, Jessika Robson has become the youngest person to swim the North Channel (pending ratification), with a…
My Dart 10K swim

Carine Evans shares her experience of taking part in an iconic swimming event, the Dart 10K in beautiful Devon.
The Black Tri Tribe: an environment to thrive

Ahead of their London Triathlon on Sunday 10 September, we spoke to the Black Tri Tribe's founder Kelly Smith about…
Messing about on the river: an event review of the Thames Marathon

Ben Lane reports on his 13km swim in the infamous Thames Marathon, where "a good mindset, a certain level of…
Tricks of the mind: swimming in the Faroe Islands

Ben Lane undertook a magnificent swim in the Faroe Islands. Here he shares the mental and physical challenges of exploring…
All the Lakes Without a Break

Outdoor Swimmer catches up with Matt Dawson after he set a new record in the Lake District
Join in The Big Swim with Team GB Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing

On Wednesday 26 July, Olympic long distance swimmer Alice Dearing will be launching The Big Swim challenge in partnership with…
Getting the Henley high

An event for newbies, elite swimmers or the simply curious. Digital Journalist Jo Tinsley reports back on this year’s Outdoor…
The Barbados Open Water Festival is back

Swim in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea at the The Barbados Open Water Festival, returning 8-12 November 2023.
Registration opens for 2023 Swim Serpentine

At noon on Thursday 8 June, 2023 Swim Serpentine opened for registration and within two hours, spaces had almost all…
No training? No worries! Six ways to make the most of an event when you’re unfit

If you’re wavering about signing up for an event because of worries about your fitness, whether it’s your first mile…
Why do an open water event?

Do I have to be a fast swimmer? Do I need to swim front crawl? Will I get pushed under…
The Dart 10k is back on for 2023

After an uncertain year, the Dart 10K is set to return this September after finding a “very elegant solution to…
Event review: Scottish Winter Swimming Championships

Rowan Clarke heads to Loch Tay for her favourite winter event: the Scottish Winter Swimming Championships
Adaptive swimmer: Sophie Etheridge

Hope is such a small word, but it has huge potential and infinite possibilities, says adaptive swimmer Sophie Etheridge as…
A Catalina Channel swim in memory of Jody Jones

Later this year Mark Johansen will attempt to swim the Catalina Channel, from Catalina Island to Los Angeles, to honour…
MySwimathon opens today

Join the world’s largest annual fundraising swim at a venue of your choice and at a time that suits you…
How to get the most from a swimming event

You won't regret signing up to an event, says Simon Griffiths. Here's how to make the most of the experience.