Top Tips

Pick up knowledge to improve your outdoor swimming. Learn how to plan routes, train with others, complete events, and overcome obstacles like nerves or fitness level. Get guidance on skills like bodysurfing, underwater swimming, and adapting your stroke for rivers and seas. Experts and seasoned swimmers share their top tips so you can swim safer, stronger, and with more joy.

Two modes swim training

Simon Griffiths explains why it's beneficial to have two modes for your swimming training, which can sometimes mean leaving the…
How to maintain swim fitness without pool training

No pool? No problem. Jonathan Cowie explains how you can maintain your swim fitness with some dry land training, including…
Starting out – basic guide to outdoor swimming

Getting started with anything new is often the hardest part but with little kit and some basic knowledge you can…
Boost your outdoor swimming confidence by doing an event

It sounds counter-intuitive but doing an open water swimming event can boost your swimming confidence.
How to train with other people

While your training buddy won't necessarily be doing the same strokes as you, swimming with other people can be enjoyable…
How to plan a river swimming route

A long and lazy river swim under the dappled light from riverside trees is a quintessentially summer pastime. Jonathan Cowie…
How to complete the Great North Swim and Swimrun

Pick the right distance, plan your nutrition, be confident in your kit and pace yourself. Simon Griffiths shares insight from…
What’s the cause of my hip pain while swimming?

Swimming coach Cassie Patten troubleshoots a reader's hip pain, and shares some tips for preventing further discomfort.
How to use a pull buoy

Pull buoys can help with coordination and arms-only training, and can also make for a very relaxing, even meditative swim.…
How I’m preparing for my next 10km marathon swim

How to build a training plan for a long distance swim that fits around your life.
How to calm first event nerves

Signed up for your first swimming event and feeling nervous? We share some top tips for overcoming those pre-event jitters.
Want to learn more about river swimming? Try kayaking

Whether learning how to find the fastest flow of water or avoiding hazards unique to rivers, Simon Griffiths suggests trying…
How to prepare for an English Channel relay swim

Meet your pilot and eat crisp butties – Lionel Spittle and David Rock share their top tips for preparing for…
How do I avoid back pain in breaststroke?

Swimming coach Cassie Patten answers a reader question about how to improve their breaststroke so it relieves pressure on their…
How to train for bodysurfing

This pool training session will put you in good stead for catching a wave in the sea.
How to swim in the sea

Jonathan's guide to how to adapt your stroke for swimming in waves and chop in the sea.
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…
Training plan for your first open water mile

Take on your first open water mile with this simple 12-week training plan from Olympic open water silver medallist Keri-anne…
Adaptive swimmer: Sophie Etheridge

Hope is such a small word, but it has huge potential and infinite possibilities, says adaptive swimmer Sophie Etheridge as…
What to carry in a tow float bag

Tow floats or tow bags and are now widely used by outdoor swimmers, but what do people carry in them?
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.
Pool skills: underwater dolphin kick

Improve your swimming with an underwater dolphin kick, says Simon Griffiths.
Front crawl tips: don’t get caught out by the catch

There is a lot to work on before you start thinking about the underwater phase of front crawl, says Jonathan…
Tips for swimming underwater

Relax and take it slow: Simon Griffiths shares some tips for underwater swimming.