FEATURES

In-depth features that celebrate the vibrant outdoor swimming community, spotlighting extraordinary individuals and their stories.

A new Dart 10k

You think you’ve swum the Dart10k? Think again. We find out how this iconic open water river swim has been…
Going against the Flow in France

Le Flow des Gabarriers, an incredible 33km journey down the River Charente in Southwestern France, is a highlight of Ben…
Swim your own swim: Meet Moody Mermaids founder Vicky Staple

Moody Mermaids was born out of the idea that you are only a swim away from a good mood, says…
From weirdos to a way of life

A lot has changed in 21 years, especially in the swimming industry. Andrea and Pete Kelly, who run Swim the…
Finding a wild pool

The best swimming spots aren’t always marked on a map. Learn how to read the river, seek out hidden pools…
Squats: A fundamental movement for life

Squats aren’t just for the gym. This simple, fundamental movement can build lower-body strength, power and mobility, helping you swim…
Round the river bend at Vansbrosimningen

Rowan Clarke battles wardrobe malfunctions and upriver swimming at Sweden’s oldest swimming festival
Back to Bantham: rediscovering the joy of event swimming

After spending years volunteering for the Outdoor Swimming Society’s Bantham Swoosh, Ella Foote returned to Bantham to take part in…
Lev Goldberg conquers second of North America’s Great Lakes in historic quest

The five North American Great Lakes – Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario – comprise the largest group of freshwater…
Brightlingsea: my local lido

Jharna Kumawat didn’t realise how valued a local lido could be until she discovered the community behind it
One man and his tow float

Dr Mark Christie is a Senior Lecturer of Sport and Physical Activity Development at University of Cumbria; his professional career…
My summer of lidos

A regular at Parliament Hill Lido, Sally Goble loves a pool. This summer, she embarked on a personal challenge –…
Three crossings, one challenge: meet the Viking Triple Crown

Inspired by Viking maritime history, the new challenge brings together the English Channel, SwimÖresund and Beltquerung in one ambitious goal…
King of the Thames: a classic river swim gets a fresh twist

Simon Griffiths takes to the Thames to experience SwimQuest’s new 3km swim from Hampton Court to Kingston
Beyond the pool: why strength training matters for swimmers

Why the swimming pool is the ultimate training environment – and why the gym should be part of every swimmer's…
How pool swimming can make you a better open water swimmer

Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing shares what can be gained in open water from work in the pool
What do you think about when swimming?

Swimmer, coach and copywriter Gert Hardeman completed the 6km event at Vidösternsimmet in Sweden. He shares what went through his…
It’s Swimple: opening up private water to everyone

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to rent a private pool like you rent private accommodation through Airbnb? Ella…
Fastest man in the pool

He’s one of Britain’s greatest sprinters but put him in open water and Mark Foster admits that without a pool…
London’s cool new pool

Earlier this summer, before the heatwaves and hosepipe bans, Sea Lanes opened a cool new pool tucked into Canary Wharf,…
Why swimming pools matter to outdoor swimming

As public swimming pools face rising costs, closures and dwindling investment, communities are fighting to save them. Rowan Clarke explores…
Learning to love the pool

There are plenty of benefits to pool swimming, but learning to love it can be a challenge, says Simon Griffiths
Lidos: where outdoor swimming meets accessibility

Two historic lidos in Derbyshire offer the perfect compromise between pool training and open-water swimming – and provide some valuable…
Hector Pardoe completes record swim of Lake Como

Two-time British Olympian, Hector Pardoe, has swum the entire 47.54km length of Lake Como, in a new Record time of…
19-year-old American Maya Merhige successfully swims the Strait of Gibraltar

Marathon swimmer Maya Merhige aims to be youngest swimmer in the world to complete Oceans Seven while raising funds for…