Readers' Swims

Immerse yourself in fellow swimmers' personal narratives, sharing their swimming stories and memorable experiences.

How outdoor swimming changed my life – and inspired my biggest challenge yet

From finding peace in the water to taking on the English Channel, Karen Bourke is swimming to help more children…
Two siblings, one big challenge: Zach and Ruby’s English Channel journey

Zach and Ruby Tkaczyk, siblings from Cheshire aged 15 and 13, are taking on one of the toughest challenges of…
Out of scrubs, into the water

Consultant doctor Dr. Zoltan Györgyi shares how outdoor swimming became his way to find freedom, resilience and balance beyond the…
Only rhythm remains

Gul Nur Tunca shares his son Tuna’s story of high performance and endurance in elite open water swimming and how…
My swim training: transitioning to front crawl in open water

Armed with her new ZONE3 open water kit, competition winner Miaya Dangol KC is learning front crawl and preparing for…
“Now I have no excuses – I’m excited to start my open water journey”

Our lucky reader (and reluctant swim event newbie) Miaya Dangol won a full set of open water kit from ZONE3…
Swimming my swim

Fourteen-year-old Alexander Sixsmith has found freedom, focus and confidence through open water swimming. Living with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) and…
From health struggles to a life transformed by swimming

After years of chronic illness and recovery from brain surgery, Victoria discovered that swimming – both in the pool and…
Swim away the pain

Can cold water help with chronic pain? Rowan Clarke asks philanthropy writer, author and swimmer, Gillian Best
Three lakes, one swim: solo swimming across the UK

Helen Hislop shares her 59.9km odyssey through Scotland, England, and Wales, revealing the preparation, endurance and awe-inspiring beauty behind her…
Event review: Barbados Open Water Swim Festival

Reader Alison Atfield decided to travel to Barbados alone for a new challenge
Never stop exploring

Raised by the sea in Western Australia, Madoc Lanfear Appleby has found challenge, calm and meaning in open water swimming
Winter joy! Your icy swimming pics

Winter sunsets, bobble hats and that bright red post-swim glow - thank you for sharing your winter swimming photos with…
Freezin’ for a reason every season

Proud stepdad Duncan Baird wonders if his daughter Grace is part mermaid, not just because of the way she glides…
I survived: Ana Little-Saña’s story

US marathon swimmer Ana Little-Saña tells us her experience of taking on the Catalina Channel crossing – a swim that…
How to set a world swimming record

In September 2025, George Taplin smashed the record for a wetsuit swim of the length of Windermere. We asked him…
Lake Windermere complete!

Mental Health Swims Community Engagement Manager Sarah Groves has conquered the length of Lake Windermere. She shares her final report.
My TrygFonden Christianborg Rundt swim in Copenhagen

Denmark lover Steve Marshall shares his experience of taking part in the TrygFonden Christianborg Rundt – a swim around the…
Ricky Holmes’ English Channel relay

Bluetit swimmers are now taking on the Channel in relay crossings. One swimmer, Ricky Holmes, shares his story and how…
Tough training, high anxiety

Mental Health Swims Community Engagement Manager Sarah Groves tells us about her final few weeks of training before her big…
The Midnight Windermere 50

To mark her 50th birthday, Ceri Smith decided to swim across England’s longest lake with 49 other swimmers, Sharon Davies…
How I became the first woman to swim from Red Sands Forts

My journey and introduction to outdoor swimming started in 2018 after I had a harebrained idea: I wanted to swim…
Sidney Russell completes Catalina double

Sidney Russell is a busy mum, swim coach and swim volunteer - yet she still finds time to train for…
Clair Harris celebrates her 60th by completing the 13 Lakes Challenge

Not only did she become the first woman to complete the 13 Lakes Challenge, she also swam without a wetsuit…
Tackling doubt one stroke at a time

Nicola Shepherd has a natural affinity for breaststroke swimming, but often feels like the world is dominated by front crawl…