You Ask, We Answer

Get answers to your most pressing outdoor swimming questions. Learn how to overcome challenges with technique, fitness, health conditions, and more. Top coaches and medical experts address common concerns like injury prevention, open water anxiety, nutrition needs, and staying safe in cold water.

How do I transition from a swimsuit to a wetsuit?

Reader Jenny Knights is new to outdoor swimming and has her first open water next month. Swimming coach Cassie Patten…
What should I eat during a marathon swim?

Jelly Babies, caffeine gels or peanut butter sandwiches? Swimming coach Cassie Patten and veteran long distance swimmer Colin Hill are…
Returning to long-distance swimming after a break

After a period of time swimming simply for pleasure, Editor Ella Foote has decided it’s time to take on some…
How to avoid neck pain in head-up breaststroke

Swimming coach Cassie Patten shares her tips for avoiding neck pain during head-up breaststroke.
Myth busting: will I get Weil’s disease from open water swimming?

Is Weil’s disease a risk when swimming in open water? Simon Griffiths unpacks the fact from the fiction, and advises…
Why is early morning swim training so hard?

Morning training is a fact of life for many swimmers. There are ways to make them easier.
How can I keep my fitness levels in open water?

Swimming coach Cassie Patten shares her advice for how to maintain fitness levels in open water.
How do I stop myself swimming too fast?

Part of our “You Asked, We Answered” series You asked One thing I have noticed about my swimming training: I…
How to swim safely with weeds

“You will get dragged down by weeds!” Just one of many anxious thoughts that might go through a swimmer's mind…
Can I train for a long distance swim outdoors in winter?

We received the following question from Ian in Northern Ireland: I’ve entered a long swim in 2022 and I’m wondering…
How can I prepare for a long swim when I can’t do long training sessions?

Another entry for our occasional “You Asked, We Answered” series This summer, I have a series of long swims planned,…
Does outdoor swimming make Raynaud’s worse?

Raynaud’s symptoms generally disappear when you warm up, but many swimmers are concerned that a repeated triggering of symptoms could…
How to tell if you’re hypothermic when swimming in cold water

You asked I am a fairly experienced winer swimmer and recently converted to wetsuits in order to get more swimming…
How dangerous is lightning to swimmers?

Can you swim in a thunderstorm? Are you safe beside the water? How can you avoid lightning strikes when swimming?…
How can I control my asthma in cold water?

We asked three expert swimmers for their advice on managing asthma when open water swimming. “My question concerns outdoor swimming…