Long distance training
COACH,  EXTRA,  FEATURES,  September 2025,  Top Tips

A year-round approach to training for long swims

Simon Griffiths looks at a year-round approach to preparing for major endurance challenges

Part of training for long swims is – perhaps obviously – doing long swims. But training for hours on end isn’t always productive or practical.

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I started Outdoor Swimmer in 2011 (initially as H2Open Magazine) as an outlet for my passion for swimming outdoors. I've been a swimmer and outdoor swimmer for as long as I remember. Swimming has made a huge difference to my life and I want to share its joys and benefits with as many people as possible. I am also the author of Swim Wild & Free: A Practical Guide to Swimming Outdoors 365 a Year, I provide one-to-one support to swimmers through Swim Mentoring and I'm the creator of the Renaissance Swimmer project.