FEATURES

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

Swimming spot: Black Moss Pot, Lake District

Suzanna Cruickshank is your guide to the high temple of places to wild swim in the Lake District
A year of full moon swimming

When a bout of Covid left her unable to celebrate her 40th birthday on New Year's Eve, Menna Jones decided…
Ice Mile Extreme

After a three-year delay Becca Harvey conquered an ice mile swim in Loch Insh, Scotland. A film has documented her…
Don’t Panic About SIPE

Swimming Induced Pulmonary Oedema is a risk swimmers should be aware of. It's not a reason to stop swimming.
Swimming 40 lakes in Switzerland

For her 40th birthday, Julia Weber gave herself a gift: a challenge to swim in 40 lakes in Switzerland in…
Andy Spencer completes 365 daily swim challenge in memory of his father

Thames ferry captain Andy Spencer has completed his year-long swimming challenge in memory of his father Francis
Should you stay in cold water for one minute per degree of water temperature?

‘One minute per degree’ is a rule often touted among cold-water swimmers, but is it a reliable guideline? Heather Massey…
Move of the month: Floor Angels

Vivienne Rickman is your guide to a stretch that ease tightness in shoulders after a cold-water swim.
The story behind our ‘rest & reflection’ cover by Beth Squire

Woodland bathing, feeling immersed in nature and embracing the simple joy of swimming outdoors: Beth Squire shares the story behind…
Book review: The Crossing

In the run up to his first Channel crossing, veteran charity athlete Gyn Marston reviews The Crossing: the curious story…
New year, new outdoor swimming kit

Thinking of splashing out on a new piece of outdoor swimming kit for 2023? We have your guide to five…
Swimming spot: The Punchbowl, Brecon Beacons

Open water swim coach Ray Farr is your guide to one of her favourite swimming spots in the Brecon Beacons
Open water swimming taking off in New York City

Add New York City to your swimming bucket list in 2023, including a swim around the Statue of Liberty.
“Once in the water, I flow”

Janet MacLeod shares her account of being an older woman swimmer: strong and fearless, solitary and communal, life-long and evolving.
Ice swimmer beaten by a flight of stairs

In the morning, adaptive athlete Sophie Etheridge took her first ever ice swim, posing with the obligatory ‘holding a piece…
The texture of water: an essay by Anna Koska

Illustrator Anna Koska reflects on how the "cool embrace" of the sea helped her feel cocooned and safe in her…
Reflections and intentions for 2023

We asked the Outdoor Swimmer team, contributors and our community to share reflections on 2022 and their open water intentions…
Reflections on 2022: a year of adventures with the Henley Mermaids

Laura Reineke of the Henley Mermaids reflects on an incredible year of swimming adventures, and looks forward to swimming the…
Take the Outdoor Swimmer Christmas quiz 2022

2022 was a year of great lake swims, a much-anticipated lido opening and more North Channel crossings than you can…
The Swimmer: “There’s no ego or judgement, just warm company”

The Swimmer is an informal swim-run from north to south London, taking in the capital’s best parks, pools and ponds…
How to avoid ear infections while swimming

Why the smallest bit of swim kit is the most important for preventing ear infections Swimming costume, goggles, hat, towel……
New Year’s Day Dips 2023

What better way to celebrate the start of 2023 than with a refreshing New Year's Day Dip?
How to do butterfly stroke

Ella Foot and Kari Furre are your guides to the butterfly stroke.
The Cape Recife Lighthouse swim

At the southern entrance to Nelson Mandela Bay, Cape Recife Lighthouse guards one of the most dangerous points along South…
Black Swimming Association crowned National Lottery UK project of the year

TV sports personality Jason Mohammad presents National Lottery UK Project of the Year award to the Black Swimming Association at…