Readers' Swims

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

How I became a Scilly girl

Lou Walker took part in the first-ever 15k Scilly Swim Challenge in September 2014 – and she’d whole-heartedly recommend it,…
How Rhona McGregor overcame her fears and fell in love with open water

‘Open water swimming! Are you mad?’ Well, that’s what people say when you tell them you spend your Sunday mornings…
Train for the worst and hope for the best – it might happen

Garry Seghers took part in an English Channel relay this summer for Diabetes UK. He shares his experience here. A…
From beginner to Robben Island swimmer in four months

Neither John Gunn nor John Paul Matthews (JP) had much open water experience. In fact, four months ago they were…
Mad Cows come home

On Sunday morning the Cumbrian Open Water Swimmers (COWS), definitely mad, arrived back home, after completing the challenge of swimming…
Nevis to St Kitts: one width breaststroke

Different swimmers can have very different experiences of the same swim. Last week we heard from Liz Torode, who came…
Cliona Saidlear: The Bonus Swim

Cliona Saidlear is taken on a delightful and inspiring swim by two SwimTrek guides – on their day off! Even…
The anatomy of a 12-hour pool swim

Swimming 12 hours non-stop in a 50m chlorinated outdoor pool is not for the faint-hearted. And I’m not alluding to…
Holidaying with Olympians

After deciding to go on holiday to France and northern Spain, I started to look for a swim event I…
Masters Open Water Swimming on the World Stage – Kazan 2015

After winning the 30-34 Age Group at the ASA National Open Water Masters at the beginning of August, Pip Bennett…
Henley Bridge to Bridge

I must admit, when I signed up for Bridge to Bridge it was as a reluctant team member of team…
Raising the bar

Until two years ago I had never done any open water swimming. Yes, I’d swum in the pool, played water…
Swimming with Angels

Standing on the shores of Playa Tamarindo under a nearly full moon on the island of Culebra, I was looking…
Wild swimming for beginners!

Last summer I made it my mission to swim in the lakes of the Lake District. There are 16 according…
Diary of a wandering swimmer – a bit Wuthering Heights

It feels like ages since I have shared a swim. It’s not that I haven’t been swimming. On the contrary,…
Diary of a wandering swimmer – Clova returns

Kate Gillwood enjoys her release from lockdown with a campervan trip, exploring a new swim spot and meeting up with…
Diary of a Wandering Swimmer – an urban gem behind a sea wall

Kate Gillwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
Taming the Hudson – the 20 Bridges Swim, New York

Diego Cantillo reflects on swimming around Manhattan and how he “provoked the god of the waters” to complete the 20…
From nervous swimmer to 70.3 World Champion, at age 70

Linda Spillane shares her story of how, starting from only being able to swim two lengths of her local pool,…
Diary of a wandering swimmer – A year in open water from lochs, orca trails and sea pools to the stacks of St Kilda

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 – less skipping and more colour

Kate Gillwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
Diary of a temporarily not-so wandering swimmer – how to swim 8m in 15 minutes

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 – a weekend of clarity

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 – Swimming in the shadow of a famous castle

Kate Gillwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30…
Identical twins head to head

On 28 of July 2019, I competed in the 65th Magnetic Island to Townsville swim race, a tropical North Queensland…