Cold Water Swimming
Brave the chill with tales, tips, and techniques for embracing the exhilarating world of cold water swimming. We recommend beginners read this article on the benefits and risks of cold water swimming.
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Discover the wonder of winter in Estonia
While many countries endure winter, Estonians celebrate it. Ella Foote heads to snow covered Estonia to understand why it should…
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IISA World Swimming Championships 2025, Molveno, Italy
It wasn’t just ice that was broken at the sixth IISA World Championships in Molveno, Italy, many ice swimming records…
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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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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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“Wool socks, onesie, tea!”: What are your winter swimming rituals?
From star jumps to car saunas, the winter swimming community has a variety of ingenious ways to warm up after…
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The Festive Dip List 2024
What better way to clear your head after Christmas than to run full pelt into the sea? Plan your swim…
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Winter swimming: how to make the most of cold dips and hot saunas
How does hot and cold affect the body? What's the proper way to use a sauna? Why is contrast therapy…
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The Flushed Dippers: the effects of cold water and menopause
Open water swim coach Marianne Johnson has recently launched a weekly open water swimming group for peri- and post-menopausal women.…
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Winter swimming: embrace the chill, but stay safe
Why you need to consider the whole experience, not just your time in the water
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How to train for winter swimming events
Racing in cold water is very different to dipping, says Simon Griffiths
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How to layer up after a cold swim
With numb fingers, damp skin and scant shelter, it can be hard to get dressed and warm after a cold…
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The winter swimming gloves and booties debate
Outdoor Swimmer readers share their opinions and advice on the use of neoprene accessories for cold water swimming
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This isn’t winter swimming
Swimming outdoors in autumn is glorious, but it's very different to swimming outdoors in the depths of winter.
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The power of hot and cold: from sauna to sea
Finnish author Katja Pantzar shares the benefits of contrast therapy for helping you glow inside and out.
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Best neoprene accessories for open water swimmers
Swim socks, fleece-lined caps and baselayers: as temperatures drop, we review some of the best neoprene accessories (and natural rubber…
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All you need to know about cold water swimming
Should you wear knickers? What is after-drop? Ice swimmer Jonathan Cowie answers the questions you never knew you needed to…
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Chilly challenges
Rowan Clarke takes a tour of this year’s winter swimming events, competitions and challenges.
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Risk and reward in winter swimming
"There is no space for either bravado or cold-shaming in winter swimming," says Simon Griffiths.
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Should you wear neoprene gloves and booties for cold water swimming?
Neoprene gloves are clumsy and annoying but so are numb fingers. So should you protect your extremities or put up…
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Should you winter swim in a wetsuit?
A wetsuit might keep you warmer but is it worth the additional hassle when the water is cold?
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Living better with long Covid
Rowan Clarke finds out why cold water might be prescribed or contraindicated in people with long Covid.
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Swimming the temps down
Marathon swimmer Sarah Thomas shares her advice for acclimatising to the cooling water temperatures this autumn.
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Planning for colder swims
Channel swimmer Sophie Etheridge shares her top tips for preparing for the cold water season ahead.
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Best changing robes 2024: tried and tested by outdoor swimming experts
With autumn water temperatures approaching, now is a good time to invest in or update your changing robe. Our outdoor…
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Swim safe, swim without your ego
Often the most dangerous thing about our swimming is ourselves. Ella Foote changes her approach to long-distance swimming.
