July 2024
July 2024 - Complementary sports
The best sunscreen for swimmers
What's the best sunscreen for outdoor swimmers? The unique combination of water reflection, continuous immersion and abrasive wetsuit friction requires…
Water shoes: what footwear do you need for wild swimming?
Lightweight, insulated or easy to slip on pre- or post-swim – read our guide to water shoes and neoprene socks…
Stretches using a towel
Try these simple stretches before and after a swim, with the aid of something you're always guaranteed to have in…
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…
Guardian angel on a SUP
Lucy Young supports her friends’ swimming and gets a core workout from her stand-up paddle board.
Embracing Slow Swimming
Writer Georgie Duckworth dips her toe into a swimming event designed for those who like to take it slow
Swims that shaped me: Jonathan Cowie
Contributing editor Jonathan Cowie shares the swims that have shaped his life over the years, from his first ever open…
A life-affirming and life-changing adventure in Croatia with Ultraswim33.3 #3
Mariana Santos shares her experience of this beautiful but challenging event on the Croatian coast.
July in the swim community
NOWCA introduces outdoor swimming to Blenheim Palace, and a Mental Health Swims host shares his inspiring story.
The best water sports equipment for outdoor swimmers
Fancy bringing a new water sports element into your outdoor swimmer adventures? We test the best water sports equipment and…
10 SUP and wild swimming adventures in Wales
Lisa Drewe, author of 'Paddle Boarding Wales', chooses her favourite places to SUP in Wales – all great for wild…
What are swimming drills?
"What are swimming drills? I have heard lots about them and there’s hundreds of YouTube videos about them, but I…
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.
The Fell Foodie’s Moules Mariniére recipe
Mussels are the perfect food to enjoy outdoors while overlooking open water. The Fell Foodie Harrison Ward shares his recipe…
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…
For our towel holders
There’s a beauty in finding alternative ways to enjoy water, says Rowan Clark. Why not show your towel holder some…
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…
Try other water sports to improve your swimming
Simon Griffiths shares how varying up your aquatic activities can bring many benefits your swimming, including how you read the…
