CHALLENGE

Ambitious challenges conquered by outdoor swimmers.

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.
30 Bays in 30 Days

Liz Stonebridge established the ‘30 Bays in 30 Days’ sea swim challenge in Guernsey in 2013 to raise money for…
Ten outdoor venues where you can join this year’s Swimathon

Take part in this year’s Swimathon – the world’s largest annual fundraising swim with distances ranging from 400m to over…
The Lyme Splash 2023 Water Polo Sea Championship is back!

The Lyme Splash is now fully supported with both events – the Water Polo Sea Championship and the Lyme Regis…
Marathon Swims 2023 is now open for entries

Marathon Swims 2023 is back at the London Aquatics Centre, inviting swimmers to take on the ultimate challenge – a Marathon…
Andy Donaldson: Flying the flag for mental health

Oceans Seven challenger Andy Donaldson tells us why he's raising money for the Black Dog Institute, a mental health charity…
Create your own challenges

Not all challenges are to enter, or to follow, some are created ourselves. Alison Gilchrist set herself a series of…
Swimmers converge on Lake Bled for the IWSA World Championships

A winter swimming event held in Slovenia’s picture-perfect Lake Bled: Simon Griffiths reports from the 13th IWSA World Championships.
5th International Ice Swimming Association World Championships in Samoëns

In beautiful Samoëns, 500 swimmers from 42 countries descended for the 5th International Ice Swimming Association World Championships (IISAWC). An…
Adaptive Swimmer: Sophie Etheridge

“Spring is the time of plans and projects” (Leo Tolstoy). Adaptive Swimmer: Sophie Etheridge on how to plan and train…
How to do an Ice Mile

Michelle Lane completed an ice mile in February 2023, after 3 years of training and waiting. She shares her experience…
A Highland fling at SwimWild’s WinterFest

Author and wild swimmer Emma Simpson persuaded her husband to join her for a long weekend in the Scottish Highlands…