FEATURES
In-depth features that celebrate the vibrant outdoor swimming community, spotlighting extraordinary individuals and their stories.
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When it comes to the use of wetsuits in swimming events, let swimmers decide for themselves
Dorset-based outdoor swimmer Lisa North (pictured above) responds to our article on “The unexpected and unwanted consequences of FINA’s poorly…
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Cappuccino warm-up
It’s fair to say that so far, having had the wettest June since records began, and a distinct lack of…
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My swim story
My swim story began four years ago. I was forced to give up my beloved running after my hip collapsed…
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Something phishy’s going on: Phil Cooper reports on a selective cold water swimming event
Saturday 21 January 2017 saw the 4th annual Parliament Hill Ice Swimming Hootenanny, better known to its possibly masochistic participants…
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The art of pace versatility
From what I’ve observed, many swimmers have about three or four gears for their swimming: all out sprint, hard training…
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Why we’re swimming from Oxford to Henley
On 14 July, five of us, open water swimmers from the Openwaterclubs Oxford and Henley, will be donning our wetsuits and setting out on…
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Six swimming films for Valentine’s Day
If you’re not allowed to go swimming on Valentine’s Day, why not show your loved one you care by making…
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Arran to Troon in TrooNautics style
On 1 October, The Arran TrooNautics, a team of 13 swimmers, completed the first 16 mile relay swim from the…
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Seven things to think about for open water swimming races in rough conditions
The first indication I had that the Spetses Swim* would be a little rougher than I’d anticipated was in the…
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Q&A with Keri-anne Payne
The 10km open water swim on Monday will be the third Olympic appearance for TeamGB’s Keri-anne Payne. She finished second in 2008 and fourth…
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Five minutes with… Chris Mount
On Saturday morning, Chris Mount, a 28-year-old outdoor instructor, will set off from Lechlade-Upon-Thames to attempt to swim 137 miles down…
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Macmillan All Out Swim challenge
Meet the swimmer taking on this year's All Out Swim challenge Last year Sam Brett swam 2km at Tooting Bec…
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How long do people have to train to swim the English Channel?
I was asked this question through the website Quora, and this is the answer I gave. If anyone who has…
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Can early morning swimming make you rich?
At the pool this morning I overheard a teacher giving his students a pep talk. It went something like this:…
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Olympic 10km marathon swim preview
The men’s and women’s 10km marathon swimming races at the Rio Olympics take place on 15 and 16 August. It will be…
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Why I’ve signed up for a 31-mile pool swimming challenge
The other day I received an email that said, “would you like to join us in swimming 31 miles, in…
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Turn your average beach holiday into an outdoor swimming adventure
Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to revolve your whole life around swimming, and not every holiday can be an organised…
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Duane and Mike’s Excellent Wild Swimming Adventure
Swimming outdoors comes in many forms, from a life-affirming dip in a tarn on a moor-top to crossing the English…
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How swimming 3.8km taught me to love the sea…
Some opportunities are too good to turn down. So when the organisers of the annual BEST Fest in Mallorca called…
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Macmillan All Out Swim challenge – update June 2016
Back in May we interviewed Samantha Brett, who’s training for the 5k Macmillan All Out Swim challenge. Last year, Sam…
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In praise of masters swimming
Don’t worry, we’re not planning to drop open water swimming and return to the confines of the pool, but with…
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Swimming wild: a guide to river pool swimming
Alice Goodridge shares some top tips for exploring river pools and how to stay safe
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The Monte Cristo Escape Swim
Inspired by the Alexandre Dumas novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, Elliot Newsome decided to recreate the escape of Edmond Dantes from…
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Can we have this in the UK please?
Here’s an idea for how local authorities in seaside towns can support open water swimming. Firstly, identify a suitable swimming…
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What it’s like to be rendered unconscious by jellyfish
Last month, British swimmer Anna Wardley attempted to swim from the island of Menorca to Mallorca, the first part of…
