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.

Anatomy of a winter swim

Winter swimming has the capacity to absorb an enormous amount of time for very little actual swimming. However, that’s not…
What does hypothermia look like?

We spoke to the experts to prepare this best-practice guide to spotting hypothermia and rewarming cold swimmers when swimming in…
‘I want to swim an ice mile, how do I train for it?’

What is an ice mile? An ice mile is a one-mile swim under International Ice Swimming Association rules in water…
Should you accessorise for cold water swimming?

Is it better to use gloves and socks for comfort in cold water, or toughen up and deal with it?
8 things to consider before swimming in cold water

Co-founders of SwimQuest Swimming Holidays, John Coningham-Rolls and Alice Todd share some important tips for what to consider before a…
How to acclimatise yourself to cooler water

Before we had swimming pools, everyone one swam outside. After generations of plodding up and down between lane ropes we’ve…
Understanding the dangers of cold water shock

Our editorial assistant and rookie cold water swimmer experiences cold water shock for the first time If you have ever…
Open water safety tips from the RNLI

We speak to Samantha Hughes, National Water Safety Partner for the RNLI, for advice on how to stay safe in…
What clothing do I need for cold water swimming?

What should you wear on your head? Do you need a changing robe? Outdoor Swimmer’s Jonathan Cowie answers some frequently…
Chilly Challenges

It’s no secret that outdoor swimmers love a swimming badge. Some of us will do anything to earn one, not…
River swimming in winter

First light. The Thames is flowing into London at about 400m3/s. That means nearly 1.5 million tons of water per…
6 Tips for Cold Water Swimming

Since lockdown restrictions eased, I’ve noticed a new wave of open water swimmers taking to our rivers, seas and lakes.…
What makes people want to plunge themselves into cold water?

John Weller and Lola Culsán meet swimmers at the ponds on Hampstead Heath What makes people want to routinely plunge…
What happens to your body when you enter cold water?

The social, physical and mental health benefits of cold water swimming are well known, but what happens to your body,…
Cold water swimming advice from an Ice Mile expert

In a few weeks, Outdoor Swimmer’s very own English channel soloist and ice kilometre challenger, Joanne, will be heading to…
How to keep acclimatised for winter swimming while in lockdown

With lockdown restrictions closing outdoor pools and open water swimming venues, many swimmers are wondering if this is the end…
Winter swimming – all your questions answered

Seasoned winter swimmers Outdoor Swimmer editor and contributing editor Jonathan Cowie and Ella Foote were joined by Dr Heather Massey,…
How to tackle your first cold water swim post-lockdown

There was a celebratory mood at Brockwell lido this morning. After a month of no swimming, the unheated outdoor pool…
Winter lido swimming tips

With winter now well and truly here, you may have already decided to bid farewell to outdoor swimming until next…
Ice swimming for mental health – Gilly McArthur

Wild days and wild swims in the Lake District with Gilly McArthur. By Jonathan Cowie “Walking round the supermarket with…