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.
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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.…
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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How to train for bodysurfing
This pool training session will put you in good stead for catching a wave in the sea.
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How to swim in the sea
Jonathan's guide to how to adapt your stroke for swimming in waves and chop in the sea.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Adaptive swimmer: Sophie Etheridge
Hope is such a small word, but it has huge potential and infinite possibilities, says adaptive swimmer Sophie Etheridge as…
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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?