FEATURES
In-depth features that celebrate the vibrant outdoor swimming community, spotlighting extraordinary individuals and their stories.
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Move of the month: Camel Pose
This is a great spinal exercise for those of us sitting for long hours at desks and computers.
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Beta Cottage, Suffolk: a place to swim, rest and create
Planning swim holidays and trips yourself can be tricky when there are so many wonderful places to stay in the…
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New 84km distance confirmed for Sweden’s longest swim race
This August, swimming buddies Helén Runger and Niclas Renman will swim the length of Lake Vidöstern (21.5km) four times in…
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How to stay swim fit without an event
Swim Smooth coach Paul Newsome shares how to build a flexible training plan for when you don't have an event…
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Men’s swimming costumes: what to wear, where and when
We polled our readers to find out what men prefer to wear in six scenarios ranging from wild swimming, open…
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Stellar lineup of WOWSA nominees
Melanie Barratt, Andy Donaldson, Neil Agius and Caitlin O’Reilly among an inspiring array of open water swimmers shortlisted for this…
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Get involved: The Big Swim 2025
It’s not just about plunging into cold water – The Big Swim is about connection, courage, empowerment and community. Here’s…
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Weekend swim break: Cedar Manor, Lake District
Ella Foote heads to Cedar Manor, Windermere, for an indulgent afternoon tea, fell walks and cool dips in lakeland tarns.
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A unique vision for a community pool
Health worker Amy Morris wishes to create geothermal swimming pools in the middle of the Cotswolds, allowing swimmers to take…
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Portishead Popsicle Party
Portishead Popsicle is a highlight in many swimmers’ calendars and for the second time Ella Foote plunged into Portishead Open…
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Asking the right questions about your swimming
Wherever you’re at on your swimming journey, it’s always important to take a few moments to reflect on the swimming…
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The Rivers Trust: reflecting and looking ahead
Environment charity The Rivers Trust shares their hopes and goals for the year ahead, striving for "a proactive approach to…
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Caitlin O’Reilly: word’s youngest Ocean Seven swimmer
An ultra-marathon swimmer from New Zealand has got herself in the Guinness World Records after becoming the world’s youngest person…
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Swim away the blues: the mental health benefits of cold water swimming
We’ve all heard the stories about how cold-water swimming helps promote good mental health. Rowan Clarke asks why icy dips…
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How to tailor your own swim training plan
Why do swimmers train in different ways, and what’s the best way for you to train?
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January in the swim community
NOWCA reminds winter dippers to swim safely with the help of their handy app, and Mental Health Swims is on…
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Your icy swims: a wintry weekend across Britain
Anyone else missing the icy temperatures we had last weekend? We loved seeing your photos from across the UK, braving…
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“Sufficiently cold and treacherous for her purposes”
Myrtle Huddleston’s Lake Tahoe crossing tested her mettle and her ability to adapt to challenges on the fly.
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Why I swim: Polly Atkin
Polly Atkin can’t get enough sunlight, which is why outdoor swimming is ideal. Here she shares how the outdoor world…
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Swim on in 2025
What has 2025 got in store for outdoor swimming? Rowan Clarke finds out.
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Looking back on 2024: an incredible year of swimming
Looking back over 2024, we asked outdoor swimmers to share their highlights. What were yours? Rowan Clarke reflects on an…
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Pools in peril
Simon Griffiths looks at why pools are in peril and what the consequences might be.
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New year, new plans for Sophie Etheridge
Adaptive swimmer Sophie Etheridge reflects on 2024 and reveals her exciting plans for the year ahead, including her first ever…
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Our New Year swimming intentions
Mastering all four main swimming strokes, improving catch and pull, and practising underwater dolphin kick: the Outdoor Swimmer team share…
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Take part in our Outdoor Swimming Survey 2024
How do you swim? Where? Who with? To build a picture of Outdoor Swimming in 2024, we're asking swimmers everywhere…