Team Vigour is based in Glasgow and we swim/train at Pilmuir Quarry throughout the year. When it begins to get icy cold we head to Bardowie sailing club where we have the luxury of changing facilities! We also swim at Loch Lubnaig and Loch Venachar near Callander where we can have 6-8 hour swim sessions in preparation for the season ahead.

Team Vigour is like an extended family of people from all walks of life who share the same passion for outdoor swimming and all that goes with it. You don’t have to be a great swimmer, you just need to have oodles of enthusiasm.

The constant flow of laughter and chatter in and out the water is evident at every swim session. This is why we all return week after week after week, no matter what the weather throws at us!

During the summertime over 50 swimmers will descend upon the quarry and the sight of all these swimmers bobbing around is really quite overwhelming!

This year has been a very successful one in terms of personal achievements from within the Team Vigour camp. There are too many to mention but they are all personal to each and every swimmer no matter what the distance. Darryl Boult, Caroline Connor and Scott McQuade conquered the length of Loch Lomond, all 22 miles of it. Phia Steyn completed the amazing feat of Loch Awe and Loch Ness within eight weeks. The Beatson Cancer charity team of David, Laura, Jessica, Jan, Karen, Hilary, Derek, Jonathon, Emily, Catherine, Paul and Jenni also completed the length of Loch Lomond and the amazing camaraderie between the whole team was inspirational. Kim Riddoch competed in the 10k length of Loch Earn swim in September along with David Barlow. Laura Ormiston swam over 7km, the longest distance she has ever covered. Grahame Connor and Greg Duffy beat their confidence demons by taking part in the Great Scottish Swim in August and Rob Towart, who swims endlessly no matter what the conditions, also completed the 10km at Loch Earn and the Great Scottish swim.

These stories are only a selection of the members of Team Vigour but what drives us all is the positivity and confidence of each team member. We are all there for each other, whether it’s a few words of encouragement or just having a good laugh, that’s what makes

Team Vigour one of the best outdoor swimming clubs in the world! Who else can have the option of swimming in Scotland’s first ever ice mile, swimming across the Firth of Forth and then swimming the length of various lochs across Scotland!

We welcome all newcomers to the sport, visitors to the area and even if you just want to take a look at what goes on, please come along and join in the fun and meet new friends.

Team Vigour goes from strength to strength each year and I can bet you that you will read about even more adventures next year.

Tell us what’s going on at your club: Tell us what’s going on at your club: editor@outdoorswimmer.com with the subject ‘Club News’ with the subject ‘Club News’