View from the Water

Gain a fresh perspective as swimmers share their unique viewpoints and reflections on the world from the water's edge.

10 degrees is not twice as warm as 5 degrees, but it’s useful to assume that is

Regular readers will have noticed that we’re sometimes a little fussy at H2Open about our choice of words. We don’t…
Should we, as open water swimmers, be concerned about pool closures?

Swimming Pool News report that more than 300 public swimming pools have closed down within the last 18 months. The…
Don’t be a ninja swimmer

Every now and then, when driving, you come across a cyclist out in the dark, in black clothing, face mostly…
Swimming: the last refuge?

About twice a week I get up early to swim. I go to the pool (or maybe a lake in…
Can we please stop using ‘brave’ to describe open water swimmers?

How many times in the national and regional press have you read the word ‘brave’ to describe people going about…
What have railways and reservoirs got in common?

There was a story on the BBC website recently about people campaigning to keep railway level crossings open. National Rail,…
Nine New Year’s resolutions suggestions for open water swimmers

We decided it was that time of year to draw up a list of suggestions for New Year’s resolutions for…
What if Michael Phelps were an open water swimmer?

Michael Phelps’s return to competitive swimming at the Arena Grand Prix in Arizona has been greeted with excitement by both…
You know you’re an open water swimmer when…

You see these types of lists circulating on Facebook from time to time; “you know you’re a whatever when…” There’s probably one…
Beautiful lakes, clean rivers and a refreshing attitude to open water swimming

Last week, courtesy of Swiss Tourism and Human Race, I had the opportunity to spend four days in Switzerland. This…
What’s the difference between pool and open water swimming?

One of our advertisers asked me yesterday if I could say in a few words what the difference is between…
Things fall into place

One of the pleasures of writing about open water swimming is the opportunity it gives me to meet and talk…
Keeping it up as temperatures plummet

Earlier this week we posted a short message on our Facebook page checking people hadn’t been caught out by Sunday’s…
What goes through the mind of a cold water swimmer?

What do you think when going through a cold water swim? Is it anything like the following, or something completely…
Why people get pulled out at open water swimming events

This weekend we went to the Great North Swim in Windermere. At the beginning of many of the waves the…
Do you really want to swim an Ice Mile?

From an open water swimming perspective, this winter feels different. Previously, except for a few determined individuals, the ‘season’ effectively…
Get naked

This weekend I visited an open water swimming venue I haven’t been to since last year. The first thing I…
Seven reasons to be thankful for open water swimming

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in the United States and you may have noticed a number of Facebook and blog posts listing…
Susan Taylor, and the dangers of open water swimming

The plan this week was to write more about the Henley Mile Suits versus Skins challenge that took place on…
Is drafting over-rated?

Elite swimmers race in packs for a simple reason. If you swim behind and to the side of another swimmer,…
The Pied Piper of Cold Water Swimming

Last Saturday South London Swimming Club hosted the bi-annual Cold Water Championships at Tooting Bec Lido. Around 600 people turned…
January 31st Resolutions

Here’s an idea we can’t claim for ourselves but overhead in a conversation: instead of New Year’s Resolutions, how about…
Why don’t triathletes like open water swimming (and what can they do about it)?

We’ve recently spent two weekends at triathlon events (the Bike and Triathlon Show in Manchester and the Triathlon Show in…
Experience and reality in open water swimming

I recently read Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. It’s a book about the way we think and I wasn’t expecting…
Don’t be intimidated by triathletes

We’ve had a few phone calls and emails recently from people who would like to explore open water swimming but…