Readers' Swims
Immerse yourself in fellow swimmers' personal narratives, sharing their swimming stories and memorable experiences.
-
A cross-country swim along St Patrick’s Stream
Lose yourself in nature on this sleepy spur of the Thames. Paul Mackenzie from Adventure Swims pioneers a cross-country swimming…
-
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…
-
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
-
“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.
-
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…
-
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…
-
“He asked me to marry him in the pouring rain”
When nurse Amy Bilbrough joined the Sheffield Outdoor Plungers, she didn't expect romance to blossom. She shares her heartwarming story…
-
It’s all about starting: my training for the double Windermere crossing
In July 2022, Rachael Hunt completed the double Windermere crossing, a total distance of 21 miles. She shares her story…
-
Jersey to France relay swim
In July, Audrey Burkley joined Sally Minty-Gravett and novice swimmers and breast cancer survivors Anne King and Angela Harvey-Jones on…
-
Swimming from Korakas to Skala Sikamineas
On 1 October 2022, Jim McAuliffe swam from the lighthouse at Korakas to the fishing village of Skala Sikamineas on…
-
Phil Warren first to cross the Bristol Channel swimming breaststroke
Earlier this year, Phil Warren set himself the challenge of swimming all four crossings of the Bristol Channel in one…
-
Seasons of change: from sea swims to cold water dips
Nora Clarke heralds the start of the ‘dipping season’ in Norway with this moving tribute to cold water swimming, and…
-
The Cross Bay Swim: What Price Glory?
Edward Chessman may be the last person to have crossed the finish line at the Cross Bay Swim, but he…
-
Will you join Eleanor in her swimming challenge?
Eleanor is looking for people to join her in her swimming challenge – to swim 70 miles before her 70th…
-
Lake Geneva calls the Crawlers
The Kingsdown Crawlers take on a five-person relay swim in Lake Geneva, completing the 78km length in 26 hours and…
-
Around the Isle of Wight on the Blindside
Mark Critchlow was registered Severely Visually Impaired in December 2011. Since then he has taken up outdoor swimming and completed…
-
Swimming and grief
Rachel Hall never considered swimming as a therapy, until a sudden loss four years ago.
-
From lengths to loughs: a leap from the pool to the open water
When her local swimming pool closed during the lockdowns in 2020, 16-year-old Jessika Robson didn't despair – she turned to…
-
Setting the Thames alight
A beautiful adventure at the annual 13-kilometre Thames Marathon Swim
-
Diary of A Wandering Swimmer – a crawl from a llyn
Kate Gillwood takes part in an event and makes an ungainly exit By Kate Gillwood Kate Gillwood was born in…
-
Diary of a Wandering Swimmer – Yorkshire Lily Pads
Our Wandering Swimmer finds a delightful dipping pond in Yorkshire
-
Swimming Just like Johnny (Weissmuller)
By Glyn Marston It’s funny how easily it is to be taken back to your childhood, a scenario that feels…
-
Diary of a wandering swimmer – a clear sweetie
I can see my feet so clearly it almost looks like they aren’t even in water at all.