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.

What are the best pool drills for improving open water skills?

You can still work on your open water skills when you're training in an indoor pool. Swimming coach Cassie Patten…
Finish the season strong

Paul Newsome looks at how to perform your best in end-of-season events and challenges.
How to become a long distance swimmer

How do you prepare your mind and body for long-distance swimming? Watch our webinar with Olympian and world record holder…
Starting out – basic guide to swimming outdoors

Getting started with anything new is often the hardest part but with little kit and some basic knowledge you can…
How to stay fit between races and on holiday

A bit of preparation and flexibility will go a long way to maintaining your fitness between races and on holiday,…
How to balance your training between open water and the pool

Jason Tait says doing the right mix of pool and open water will help you race faster.
Top tips for overseas swimming events

Simon Griffiths shares some practical tips to help you get the best from your swimming trip abroad and avoid some…
How I train: Team Mermaids

Open water swimmers Katie Kenny and Manda Read juggle jobs, families and busy lives but still manage to fit in…
Getting back on track with swim training

Marathon swimmer Sarah Thomas has advice on getting back on track after an unplanned break from swim training.
How being a multisport athlete can enliven your swimming

Athlete Jennifer Strong McConachie shares why being a multisport athlete has improved her strength and stamina in the water, and…
The art and science of tapering

Swim coach Paul Newsome explains the science of tapering – and how to arrive in peak condition for your next swim challenge
How to swim a marathon (in 12 weeks)

In the run up to this summer’s WaterAid Swim Marathon, Gear Editor Jo Tinsley took on the challenge of swimming 26 miles…
How I train: Monika Mittaz

This summer Monika Mittaz will attempt to swim the 38km-length of Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland. We spoke with Monika in…
What are sneaker waves?

Also known as a sleeper wave, a sneaker wave is a disproportionately large coastal wave that can appear without warning.
Tips for multi-day swimming challenges

How to get through multi-stage races, training camps or swimming holidays
Race day tactics for open water swimming

Positioning, drafting and the final sprint: Open water coach and Founder of Swim Smooth, Paul Newsome, shares his race day…
How to train for the swims on SwimRun

Swimming in swimruns is different. Simon Griffiths looks at how to prepare for it.
How to navigate challenging conditions with confidence

Swimming in rough water needn’t be something to fear, says Paul Newsome.
Six ways to get more horizontal while swimming

Improving your body position will help you swim faster for less effort
How to fuel your long-distance swim, plus energy gels tried and tested

Swimming in open water poses unique challenges in terms of energy needs. Read our tips for staying fuelled on long-distance…
How to invent your own swimming drills

We use swimming drills to help us focus on and improve our technique. There are lots to choose from but…
Swim faster next year

Focus on general fitness and health for long-term improvements in your swimming
How to fall in love with swimming

If you want to be a lifelong swimmer, it’s a big help if you love swimming. That might sound obvious,…
What’s the motivation behind your open water swimming goal?

When you set your open water swimming goals, what really matters is your underlying reasons.
Preparing for a swim event abroad

Entering a swim event abroad? Paul Newsome, Head Coach at Swim Smooth, tells us how to arrive on the startline…