You Ask, We Answer
Get answers to your most pressing outdoor swimming questions. Learn how to overcome challenges with technique, fitness, health conditions, and more. Top coaches and medical experts address common concerns like injury prevention, open water anxiety, nutrition needs, and staying safe in cold water.
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What are the best pool drills for improving open water skills?
You can still work on your open water skills when you're training in an indoor pool. Swimming coach Cassie Patten…
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What are swimming drills?
"What are swimming drills? I have heard lots about them and there’s hundreds of YouTube videos about them, but I…
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Getting back on track with swim training
Marathon swimmer Sarah Thomas has advice on getting back on track after an unplanned break from swim training.
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What are sneaker waves?
Also known as a sleeper wave, a sneaker wave is a disproportionately large coastal wave that can appear without warning.
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“How do I prepare for a 6.5km swim in 10 weeks?”
Swimming coach Cassie Patten answers this reader Q about how to prepare for the around-Brownsea Island swim in June –…
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“I feel dizzy when swimming”
Swimming coach and Olympian Cassie Patten has advice for if you find yourself feeling dizzy when swimming – and how…
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Watch our entire video wetsuit series – everything you need to know about wetsuits
Do I need a wetsuit for open water swimming? How do I choose the right one? And how do I…
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How can I avoid cramp when swimming in deep water?
British freestyle swimmer and open water coach Cassie Patten has advice for avoiding cramps when swimming in open water and…
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How can I train to swim long distance front crawl?
British freestyle swimmer and open water coach Cassie Pattern has advice for a 79-year-old swimmer training to swim the Henley…
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Is it safe to swim in cold water when pregnant?
Can colder temperatures of open water have a negative impact on pregnancy? Cold water experts Dr Mark Harper and Dr…
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“How do I keep up my fitness through winter?”
Swimming coach Cassie Patten recommends a dryland programme for outdoor swimmers to maintain fitness levels through the winter months.
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You ask, we answer: How can I get back into swimming after an illness?
"Do you have any tips on getting back into swimming after a virus?" Swim coach Cassie Patten has advice for…
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Back to basics: how do I get my face in the water?
“I’m struggling to get my face in the water when swimming at my local lake, and I would love some…
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How do I perfect my swimming catch?
There's more to swimming fast than having a perfect catch but it's worth working on
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What is the bilateral breathing ladder, and is bilateral breathing really necessary?
We share some top tips for improving your bilateral breathing – and even if you can't get it right, it's…
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How do I motivate myself to train through winter?
Swimming coach Cassie Patten believes the winter months are prime time for focusing on technique and maintaining fitness levels.
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Life in the slow fast lane: how to train in a public pool session
“I’m struggling with pool swimming in public sessions: how can I get a proper swim done?” Simon Griffiths has advice…
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How to ditch your wetsuit for winter swimming
"For a 10-minute winter swim, I'm not sure wearing a wetsuit is worth it. What do you think?" Simon Griffiths…
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How do I improve my technique to avoid Swimmer’s Shoulder?
Swimming coach Cassie Patten answers a reader question about how to improve their swim technique to avoid further shoulder pain.
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How to master bilateral breathing
"I’ve been told I need to do bilateral breathing for open water swimming but I can’t! What should I do?"
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What’s the cause of my hip pain while swimming?
Swimming coach Cassie Patten troubleshoots a reader's hip pain, and shares some tips for preventing further discomfort.
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How do I avoid back pain in breaststroke?
Swimming coach Cassie Patten answers a reader question about how to improve their breaststroke so it relieves pressure on their…
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Why do an open water event?
Do I have to be a fast swimmer? Do I need to swim front crawl? Will I get pushed under…
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“Am I too old to start open water swimming?”
Swimming coach and Olympic marathon swimmer Cassie Patten has advice for a 71-year-old reader who’s considering trying open water swimming…
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How do I overcome my self-consciousness to enter a swimming event?
Swimming coach Cassie Patten answers a reader question about to feel less self-conscious when outdoor swimming, and how to be…
