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Editor’s letter

Welcome back to the open water, albeit in a slightly

SWIMQUEST READER PHOTO CONTEST

Whether wild swimming in Scotland, dipping in an urban

SWIM ENGLAND IN ‘DISMAY’ AS GOVERNMENT FAILS TO ANNOUNCE REOPENING DATE FOR POOLS

Swim England chief executive Jane Nickerson has expressed

NEWS IN BRIEF

UK RANKS NEAR BOTTOM OF EUROPEAN WATER BATHING QUALITY

Virtual swim races

Cancelled swim events are hosting virtual races over the summer so you can still take part and claim a winner’s medal!

ART OFSWIMMING

Based in Bournemouth, Rhiannon loves the sea and anything

Greenbank pool, Street

The small, heart of Somerset town of Street is best

ED ACCURA ON HIS NEW FILM: BLACKS CAN’T SWIM

We chat with co-founder of the Black Swimming Association Ed Accura about his upcoming film Black’s Can’t Swim - a feature film documentary about a Black British person’s struggles and fears with not being able to swim.

Write in… Have your say

With a restart to the season for many, it’s easy to

# SWIMWILDANDFREE

Share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #swimwildandfree

VIEW FROM THE WATER

Simon Griffiths ponders the health risks of swimming in the Thames

PORBEAGLE Not a threat but threatened.

Being mistaken for a relative is unfortunate when that

Surrey Outdoor Swimmers

The River Thames is now busier than ever with swimmers.

JINI IN WANDERLAND

Author Jini Reddy is in pursuit of the divine and explores this in her new book Wanderland: A Search for Magic in the Landscape. Ella Foote finds out more.

Swimming While Black

We love to say that open water swimming is for all. But is that aspirational rather than a statement of truth?

Caught in the turmoil of history

This year’s pandemic postponement isn’t the first time the Olympic games have been disrupted by world events.

RETURNING TO VENUES

What to expect when you get back to swimming at open water venues

ON TOP OF MY WORLD

Cassie Patten on her achievements at the Beijing Olympics and a bittersweet medal in the 10km marathon swim

TAKE YOUR TRAINING OUTDOORS

With pools still closed, use your local open water venue to improve your fitness and open water skills.

MIND THE GAP

Big changes have been made at open water venues across the country which has enabled coaching to return to the water. 100% Swimming Coach Paul Fowlershares his experience.

“IF YOU SAW ME SWIM IN THE RIVER, YOU WOULD NOT KNOW THAT I AM A SWIMMER"

Sport psychologist Helen Davis helps a record-breaking pool swimmer feel comfortable in the open water

WHAT IS SIPE?

Sarah Spencerand Dr Lindsay Forbes shine some light on swimming-induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE) - a poorly understood but potentially deadly condition

TRAVEL AND THE NEW NORMAL

R elaxing of lockdown. Air-bridges. An end to quarantines.

Wild swims of Central England

THE MIDLANDS AND CENTRAL ENGLAND HAVE A DIVERSE RANGE

Turquoise Dreams

Jonathan Cowie explores the Palawan archipelago in the Philippines

South African Sunrise

Monica Needstravelled to Cape Town for a unique trip exploring to South Africa’s challenging waters

Team Work

U p until now, all the swimruns I have done have been

Socks or no socks?

Mike Alexander explores the options of what to wear on your feet for a swimrun

“I LOVE PUTTING ON EVENTS THAT CHALLENGE PEOPLE AND THAT ARE DIFFERENT”

Simon Griffithsmeets swimrun and adventure race organiser John Yelland of Mad Hatter Events

HOW TO CHOOSE PRESCRIPTION SWIMMING GOGGLES

Simon Griffiths learns about goggle prescriptions and why you shouldn’t swim in contact lenses

WHAT’S IN OUR KIT BAG?

Wetsuits, shoes, shorts, training tech, prescription goggles, drink bottles and tow floats on test

Share the passion, inspire your friends

Now is the time for outdoor swimmers to help support both fellow swimmers and our broader community.

I’ve found my tribe

A racing mishap aged 11 madeHeidi Stenhouse of Wimborne, Dorset, the outdoor swimmer she is today