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.

How I train: Andy Donaldson

Andy is a Scottish-Australian marathon swimmer and a three-time world record holder with records including the fastest time to complete…
Going long distance

Paul Newsome, Head Coach at Swim Smooth, shares his smarter approach to training for long-distance swims.
Winter freestyle refresher, part 5: putting it all together

Reflecting on the various components covered in his front crawl refresher series – body position and balance, breathing arms and…
A mile to a marathon

Have you swum in mass participation events but feel ready to take your swimming to the next level? Coach Kate…
“How do I keep up my fitness through winter?”

Swimming coach Cassie Patten recommends a dryland programme for outdoor swimmers to maintain fitness levels through the winter months.
Freestyle Refresher, part 4: Unleashing the power of your legs

Simon Griffiths has the fourth part of our guide to reviewing and refreshing your front crawl stroke this winter –…
Easy foot stretches for swimming

Liz Lowe is your guide to stretches that can build strength and increase mobility in your feet, improve your kick…
7 benefits of working with a swim coach

Helen Webster explains how spending time with a swim coach can benefit everyone, from open-water newbies to seasoned outdoor swimmers.
Should you train in open water or a pool?

Simon Griffiths explores the pros and cons of open water and pool training.
Back to basics: how do I get my face in the water?

“I’m struggling to get my face in the water when swimming at my local lake, and I would love some…
Top tips for festive dips

Christmas morning dips, New Year's Day swims and loony dooks: a madcap dash into the sea is fast becoming a…
How to remove your neoprene accessories fast

Check out these tips we’ve curated from the Outdoor Swimmer team and social media to avoid getting colder than necessary…
Winter freestyle refresher: body position, action and reaction

Here we look at your body position in the water, and how your body responds to various actions.
What is the bilateral breathing ladder, and is bilateral breathing really necessary?

We share some top tips for improving your bilateral breathing – and even if you can't get it right, it's…
How do I motivate myself to train through winter?

Swimming coach Cassie Patten believes the winter months are prime time for focusing on technique and maintaining fitness levels.
How can I pace myself when swimming long distances?

Giving a talk before Swim Serpentine, swim coach Cassie Patten advised swimmers to start out steady and build into their…
How and why should I practise kicking?

I wear a wetsuit and barely kick my legs when I swim in open water but I’ve been told I…
Winter Freestyle Refresher: Breathing for front crawl

How to identify areas for improvement and work out what to do. Your winter freestyle refresher by Simon Griffiths.
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…
How to ditch your wetsuit for winter swimming

"For a 10-minute winter swim, I'm not sure wearing a wetsuit is worth it. What do you think?" Simon Griffiths…
Swim support you can trust

Are they qualified? What experience do they have? In this growing world of outdoor swimming, we share some advice for…
How do I improve my technique to avoid Swimmer’s Shoulder?

Swimming coach Cassie Patten answers a reader question about how to improve their swim technique to avoid further shoulder pain.
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…
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.