FEATURES

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

Round the river bend at Vansbrosimningen

Rowan Clarke battles wardrobe malfunctions and upriver swimming at Sweden’s oldest swimming festival Sweden is an outdoor swimmer’s dream. Water…
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…
Trans swimmer Lev Goldberg conquers second North America’s give 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 –…
The Viking Triple Crown

A New Nordic Challenge for the Open Water Swimming World
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…
Dryrobe® celebrates partnership with RNLI with limited-edition robe

This limited-edition Dryrobe® Nexus commemorates the brand's partnership with the RNLI and celebrates 25 years of RNLI lifeguard service on…
Finding glimmers: Megan Hayes on healing through wild swimming

Researcher, writer and relentless optimist Megan Hayes is author of five books. Her newest, 'Glimmering: Healing in 21 Wild Swims'…
Peanut butter cookie dough bars: the perfect post-swim treat

This recipe by Isabelle Kilroy is a great way to meet some of your unsaturated fats daily intake while enjoying…
Blue Health: The healing power of water

For our latest Virtual Event, we met Blue Health coach and author Lizzi Larlabestier, who shared with us how blue…
WOWSA Awards in partnership with Outdoor Swimmer

Thursday 6 August 2026 is the 100th anniversary of Gertrude Ederle's swim. It's also the day nominations open for the…
Finding my confidence, one length at a time

For Zone3 competition winner Miaya Dangol KC, a leap from a 25-metre pool to open water felt daunting, but expert…