Readers' Swims

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

Diary of a wandering swimmer – imported sand, piscinas naturales and a pool to myself

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 – Where the land is low and the water bulls are loud

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 – ‘Sunny Dunny’ home of the red cliffs and long lost lidos

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: last swim with a friend

Kate Greenwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
Diary of a wandering swimmer – Lakes, mountains, poets and a bit of running

Kate Greenwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
Polar Bear Club

Sara Barnes is taking on a five-month cold water challenge The air temperature is 1°C this morning at the edge…
Sweeping views, menacing swans and a rich history

Image: © User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Kate Greenwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three…
My Swim Story – Angela Jones

51-year-old Angela Jones spent five weeks exploring her favourite river, the Wye I have swum all over the world and…
Diary of a wandering swimmer – famous for oysters & surrounded by mountains

Kate Greenwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
Wild Swimming Spot – Waterfall Trail Brazil

Sylvia Knight explored the waterfall trail in the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu nature reserve in Brazil This year, we were…
Club page – Carradale Wild Swimmers

Karen Murphy celebrates one year of the Carradale Wild Swimmers Some days when you swim with the Carradale Wild Swimmers…
Diary of a wandering swimmer – where the crabs are blue

Kate Greenwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
An Estonian cold water swimming Odyssey

Outdoor Swimmer reader Rowan Clarke got talked into a crazy cold water swimming adventure. When I started winter swimming, competing…
Ipswich Life Saving Club

Lifesaving awards are a great way for children and adults to learn water safety techniques and first aid, says David…
My Swim Story – Billie Oliver

Swimming outdoors has given Billie Oliver a purpose in life after the death of her daughter My swim story began…
Snow swims!

We asked you to send in your pics of your frosty dips. Here are our favourites! Send in your swim…
We did it! We swam the length of Lake Windermere!

Finally, after two cafe stops for coffee and scones (it’s not even a two hour drive), Shark and I arrive…
My Swim Story – Nikki Ball

Nikki Ball’s family was brought up in the water. After the death of her brother, a family wild swimming trip…
Taking on the Loch Ness monster

Next week Team Nessie (me, Marc, Alaine, Emma, Rebecca and Erica) is swimming the 22-mile length of Loch Ness in…
My Swim Story – Maurice Walton

Maurice Walton shares his experience to serve as a warning to other swimmers We were swimming in Windermere from Fell…
You’re gonna need a bigger boat!

The last 20 weeks have been non-stop swimming/training/ driving to venues, and so with one week to go till my…
Glow Swimming: a new way to experience open water

As a triathlete, at most events I’m given the same things on registration. Swim hat, timing chip, race numbers and…
Cross-country runner to open water swimmer

After injury forced my reluctant retirement from athletics after 40 years – the last 17 of them as an international…
In the wake of Mercedes Gleitze

I grew up on the Causeway coast of Ireland in a little seaside town called Portstewart. I am now 33, a…
Always try to say yes (to open water swimming)

Tel Aviv, Yaron Davidi and Frank Turner’s wisdom I love music; it’s nearly as important to me as swimming. A…