Eco Pages

Editor’s letter

Welcome to the May issue of Outdoor Swimmer.

READER PHOTO CONTEST

WHETHER WILD SWIMMING, DIPPING IN AN URBAN LIDO, OR EXPLORING WARM FOREIGN SEAS... IF YOU’VE CAPTURED A GREAT SWIMMING IMAGE, ENTER IT INTO OUR MONTHLY READER PHOTO CONTEST

OPEN WATER NEWS ROUND-UP

ENVIRONMENT Untreated sewage and storm water discharged more

Jini Reddy

Ahead of the paperback release of Wanderland: A search for magic in the landscape, author Jini Reddy updates us on how the pandemic has changed her relationship with the outdoors and the places she’s most looking forward to visiting

View From The Water

Founder and publisher of Outdoor Swimmer

Go The Distance

SHARKS AND SPAGHETTI I’m sitting in a condo

Swimming Wild

EXPLORING RIVER POOLS Basking on the sun-warmed rocks

Pattorn Page

Thank you to the following individuals who have joined the Outdoor Swimmer Family as Patrons and Super Patrons

Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

Is red sky at night really a shepherd’s delight? If cows are sitting down, will it rain? These questions and more are tackled in Tristan Gooley’s new book, The Secret World of Weather. Ella Foote finds out more

Swimming for Suffrage

Early 20th century women who found parity with men in the water also sought it at the ballot box. By Elaine K Howley

YOU ASK, WE ANSWER

I am nearly 71 – am I too old to start outdoor swimming? My feet get particularly cold, but other than that I have no particular ailments. I have always felt relaxed in the water but am not a particularly strong swimmer. Advice please! Please be honest and tell me if I am being stupid even considering this

POOL PAGE

Maximise your indoor pool training 

SWIM AN OPEN WATER MILE

› BEGINNERS Take on your first open water mile with this simple 12-week training plan from Olympic open water silver medallist Keri-anne Payne

YOU GOT THIS!

How to use body language to help you feel more confident

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

These strength & conditioning exercises focus on shoulder

DOING THE DOGGY PADDLE

Is your dog an outdoor swimmer? Rowan Clarke and reluctant dipper Luna find out how to swim safely together

KITBAG

TEKRAPOD £115 tekrasport.com A perpetual worry

OPEN WATER ESSENTIALS

Embrace the escape with open water swimming kit from Zone3

Let’s swim!

UK and international event listings

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT CHANGE OF SCENERY THIS SUMMER?

One in ten people in the world still

GREAT SWIM IS BACK!

Embrace the adventure

Green Lights On The Horizon

Remember the days when we could scurry down

THE SWIMMER’S EYE

Whenever I see water, I find myself thinking

Leap into the Lakes

Suzanna Cruickshank, author of Swimming Wild in the Lake District, picks out her favourite swims in the Lakes

Calm before the storm

The relentless march of summer – and visitors – to Cumbria

Your Letters

What’s inspired you about outdoor swimming this month?

TEST VALLEY PARADISE

A joint venture between a land owner and a coach has opened up a unique swim spot

SWIMS AROUND... Aviemore

The Cairngorms National Park in Scotland is the UK’s largest national park – with wild swimming spots aplenty! Here are three favourite local swimming locations, plus cafés, bars and restaurants for a post-swim hot drink or snack

ROSALIND SOUTH

Cancer survivor to swim English Channel relay in memory of her husband