Features - Outdoor Swimmer Magazine

Review: Don’t Be Prey

A documentary about one man’s quest to rebuild his life through swimming the Oceans Seven
Why gift experiences? Our top 5 gift ideas

Looking for the most thoughtful, meaningful and sustainable gifts this season? We explore why the best presents don't always come…
Behind the scenes: How we perfected post-swim layering

What's the ideal clothing for outdoor swimmers post wild swim? Ask our Gear Editor, Jo who designed our new clothing…
Endurance swimming and activism: a towpath perspective on the Thames Relay

Between the 1st and 4th of September, 2025, a team of world-class swimmers swam a non-stop relay down the River…
Bárbara Hernández completes historic English Channel double

Known for both her cold water and long distance swimming exploits, Bárbara Hernández has completed the longest swim of her…
How to develop a swim product – the Otion® story

From brainwave to making waves – how SwimForTri and Drag2Zero created an innovative technical swim paddle from scratch
World of Water: Meet the swimmers behind our lead feature

The world we live in is messy, turbulent and, at times, downright scary. But around the world, outdoor swimmers, kind,…
Lanzarote: swim, sea, sun and in sync with the UK

With mild temperatures and golden rays, Lanzarote is the perfect winter escape for a quick sunny break. Ella Foote heads…
Watch our interview with Olympian and Channel Swimmer Dan Wallace

Dan Wallace tells us what he learned on his journey from Olympic swimmer to cold water and the English Channel
Islas Desertas and back again: a 60km swim through the Atlantic Ocean

We spoke with Mayra Santos shortly after she completed an epic marathon swim from Madeira to Islas Desertas and back…
Surfers Against Sewage calls for action after survey finds poor water quality at popular inland bathing sites

Water quality monitoring shows many popular bathing sites would fall short of acceptable pollution limits but there are plenty of…
This little piggy went to Essex

So much more than a bed a breakfast, but not as impersonal as a hotel, Ella Foote heads to Piglets…
Somerset Swim Retreats

Simon Griffiths took a weekend off racing for some welcome rest and recreation in the South West of England… but…
In memory of Naomi Crowder

Just days before she was taken ill, Naomi told a friend that one of the best days of her life…
Two modes swim training

Simon Griffiths explains why it's beneficial to have two modes for your swimming training, which can sometimes mean leaving the…
Watch our Q&A with English Channel swimmer Sophie Etheridge

For our recent subscriber and patron event, adaptive athlete Sophie Etheridge shared her experience of completing the longest ever one-way…
Swimming in Zürich

The most obvious appeal for swimmers in Zürich is the lake: 40kms long and just 3kms at its widest point,…
Intuitive swimming: the power of the present

Have you trained for hours without seeing results? Brian Holliday wants you to move with the water rather than fight…
Poison in the pool: a history of chlorine

How a deadly chemical became the world’s preferred means of keeping swimming pools clean and tidy. Elaine K Howley investigates.
Andy Donaldson: Oceans Seven Record Holder and Mental Health Advocate

A passionate representative for mental health, Andy Donaldson spoke openly with writer Amy Monkman about his past struggles and the…
A pool of one’s own: the rise of natural swimming pools

With an increased interest in outdoor swimming there is a new demand for privately-owned natural swimming ponds. Ella Foote takes…
Save our pools

Rowan Clarke investigates why it’s more important than ever to fight for your local swimming pool.
Watch our Q&A with urban swimming expert Chris Romer-Lee

For our recent subscriber and patron event, architect, urban swimming expert and author Chris Romer-Lee shared stories of sea pools…
A record-setting relay in Windermere

Niamh Lewis reports on a Windermere relay beset by challenges, including a broken down support boat.
My Dart 10K swim

Carine Evans shares her experience of taking part in an iconic swimming event, the Dart 10K in beautiful Devon.