The wonder team!

What makes an outdoor swimming challenge so brilliant for mind, body and soul? We chose the most fun, inclusive, joyful event and found eight excellent challengers to make a team. Discover who they are and what they will be doing.

They wanted to take part in a unique swim challenge. The Outdoor Swimmer Shepp Shifters is a team of subscribers taking part in the Wild Swim Relay at Shepperton (London) on the 7th and 8th of June.

What makes the event so unique?

Well, it’s a challenge unlike any other. Not only does it have no time or distance goals, but it also involves swimming through the night, tents, music, lights, firepits and camping.

It sounds more like a festival…

It kind of is. Dubbed by one of last year’s participants as ‘the Glastonbury’ of outdoor swimming, it’s a real celebration of the outdoor swimming community. The community and social aspects of swimming outdoors are a huge benefit for overall well-being.

Will there be beer?

Don’t be ridiculous. Swimming and booze don’t mix. There will be plenty of cake, though.

But what’s the challenge if there’s no distance or speed goal?

The challenge is swimming for 24 hours as a relay team. Each team member will swim for one hour at a time, including swimming through the night.

Night swimming sounds pretty hardcore…

Swimming from 1am to 2am is no joke. But, you can swim heads-up breaststroke, stay in your depth, chat to other swimmers – or get your head down and enjoy the magic of night swimming.

…Or sleep floating on your back?

Maybe not sleep. You can do that in your tent while your teammates are swimming. But you could float around as much as you like. The point is, you set your own challenge for each hour that you swim. That might be swimming a certain distance, it might simply be staying in the water for an hour.

So, who are the Shepp Shifters?

They are eight marvellous swimmers from around the UK, each with their own story about why they swim outdoors and what it means to them.

When will we get to meet them?

Over the next few weeks, they’ll be sharing their training blogs, stories and photos. They’re all passionate about swimming, being inclusive and joyful – that’s what this is all about.

Is this the point that you give Level Water a plug?

Absolutely. Level Water is all about inclusivity, too. Through the 24-hour Wild Swim Relays and its River Swim Series, Level Water raises funds to provide children with disabilities with swimming lessons. Our team will be raising money for them through sponsorship.

And will you be swimming?

Of course! Some of the Outdoor Swimmer team will be taking part. But mostly, we’ll be looking after our team – making sure that they’re happy, warming them up after their swims and keeping them topped up with cake!