Readers' Swims

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

Diary of a wandering swimmer – moon channel

Kate Gillwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
Diary of a Wandering Swimmer – discovering neuks and crannies

Kate Gillwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
Swimming Loch Tay for their local community

Loch Tay is a 23km long body of fresh water in the central highlands of Scotland. Rarely more than a…
Diary of a wandering swimmer – swimming in a spot I cannot name

Kate Gillwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
Wild swimming spot – Madeira

Ricardo Jardim invites us to swim in the (usually) calm and warm waters off the coast of Madeira island My…
My Swim Story – Angela Barnes

Swimming outdoors helped comedian Angela Barnes combat her mental health issues We did have swimming lessons at school, but as…
Team Vigour

Caroline Connor, proud Team Vigour member, celebrates her clubmates’ achievements this year Team Vigour is based in Glasgow and we…
Sparth Reservoir

Fiona Weir led the campaign to have ‘No Swimming’ signs replaced at Sparth Reservoir Sparth Reservoir is a small body…
Wild swimming spot – Queens Beach North, Scarborough, Australia

Clear water and turtles make Queens Beach North Mark Otter’s favourite swim spot. Just don’t mention the jet skiers… My…
Wild swim spot – Denham Waterski Club

Crayfish and grebes are just two of the attractions at Denham Waterski Club – along with hot chocolate and post-swim…
My Swim Story – Katherine Short

Outdoor swimming has been life-changing for Katherine Short I haven’t always been a swimmer but I have always loved the…
Clear water, abandoned submarines and pink footed geese

Kate Greenwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
My Swim Story – Corinna Nolan

Not content with completing an Ironman triathlon, Corinna Nolan became Ireland’s first Ice Ironwoman by also swimming an Ice Mile…
The Wild West Swimmers

The Wild West Swimmers had fun and raised money for charity in their inaugural ten loch adventure. By Greg Hincks…
My Swim Story – Jo Lockhart

If you’re going to do it, do it with style. Jo Lockhart waited until she was on the world stage…
Hellespont: a challenging but achievable iconic swim for your average swimmer

Outdoor Swimmer reader Robin Fry shares his experience of preparing for and completing the Hellespont Swim along with his top…
My Swim Story – Christopher Smith

Ten years ago Christopher Smith couldn’t swim. He is now a qualified sports therapist and plans to swim the Solent…
Stormy weather

Outdoor Swimmer reader Jacqui Hargrave is training to swim the 10-mile length of Windermere this summer.
Wild swimming spot – Dancing Ledge, Dorset

Anthony Cook and ‘support team’ escaped the hum of the South-East to the tranquillity of a deserted sea pool I…
My Swim Story – Mike Dawson

MS sufferer Mike Dawson is aiming to become the first person with MS to swim across the English Channel Swimming…
Cappuccino warm-up

It’s fair to say that so far, having had the wettest June since records began, and a distinct lack of…
My swim story

My swim story began four years ago. I was forced to give up my beloved running after my hip collapsed…
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…
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…
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…