How to... Spot a Clean River

Editor’s letter

Welcome to the tenth anniversary issue of Outdoor

TEAM TALK Race pace or leisurely dip?

"Much as I enjoyed winter dipping, I am

Get in touch…

Email me at editor@ outdoorswimmer.com or connect on

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CONTRIBUTORS

Stacey McGowan Holloway Stacey is a healthcare scientist,

SEPTEMBER PHOTO CONTEST – UNDERWATER SELFIE

andreahall.co.uk Congratulations to Lauren Newcomb for winning our

OPEN WATER NEWS ROUND-UP

ENVIRONMENT Campaign launched to address 'serious' risk of

Combined Sewer Overflows the basics explained

In March, data released by the Environment Agency

The Attributes of Lifelong Swimmers

View From The Water

THE JOY OF CREWING

Go The Distance

EXPLORING TIDAL POOLS

Swimming Wild

Eco Pages

BLUE-RAYED LIMPET A maximum of two centimetres long

ARMCHAIR EXPLORER

WILD LIFE Illustration: Alice Goodridge Tidal A brutal

WATER ON TAP?

While at home you might be closer to

CAN YOU CYCLE TO YOUR SWIM?

Some swimmers live within walking distance of their

WHILE YOU ARE AT THE WATER...

Go on a bat walk September isn’t just

THE CLIMATE SWIM

Stacey McGowan Holloway joined UN Patron of the Oceans Lewis Pugh for a 10-day training camp in Iceland to prepare him for his most dangerous, and most pressing, swim yet

The Challenges of a Sustainable Startup

Whilst sustainability can be defined as meeting our

10 YEAR

TEN YEARS AGO A NEW MAGAZINE HIT THE NEWSSTANDS. H2OPEN WAS THE FIRST (AND IS STILL THE ONLY) PRINTED MAGAZINE IN THE WORLD DEDICATED TO OUTDOOR SWIMMING. IN 2017, H2OPEN BECAME OUTDOOR SWIMMER AND SWITCHED ITS PUBLICATION FROM SIX ISSUES A YEAR TO 12. TEN TEARS AFTER THE FIRST ISSUE OF H2OPEN, OUTDOOR SWIMMER IS STILL AN INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE MADE BY SWIMMERS FOR SWIMMERS. CURRENT EDITOR JONATHAN COWIE SPOKE TO FOUNDER, PUBLISHER AND ORIGINAL EDITOR SIMON GRIFFITHS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF THE MAGAZINE AND THE GROWTH IN OPEN WATER SWIMMNING OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS

How to be a responsible outdoor swimmer

Crowds, litter, anti-social behaviour: we have all seen the headlines and social media posts about the problems associated with increasing numbers of people at popular bathing spots. What can you do to alleviate the problems?

Swimming as Collector’s Item

Move over Babe Ruth, marathon swimmers have also frequently appeared on trading cards

Water as Home

Ella Foote swims with author and poet Nina Mingya Powles to talk about her new book, Small Bodies of Water

YOU ASK, WE ANSWER

I was watching the Olympic marathon swim and I was amazed at the feeding stations. I loved the mixture of carnage and beauty of the efficiency those swimmers take on fluid. I have done several long distance swims but never really thought to take on much nutrients. What do you suggest and how would I practise doing this?

POOL PAGE

Maximise your indoor pool training

THE POWER OF SMILING

A simple smile can help you through a tough swim

KEEP YOUR TOYS IN THEIR BOX?

Pull buoys, kickboards and paddles... When it comes to training toys, Tracey Baumann and Emma Levy recommend caution

GEAR

OPEN WATER ADVENTURE KIT

RESPONSIBLE BODYCARE

Tried and tested products that you can use in and out of the water, by Ella Foote

Let’s swim!

UK and international event listings

GIVE IT A GOWER

Luke Chamberlain takes on his first swimrun at Breca Gower in Wales

SWIMMING WITH WILDLIFE

Connecting with the natural world is one of the joys of outdoor swimming. Simon Murie explains how to interact responsibly with wildlife

Retreat, reset

Rowan Clarke escapes real life with a swim-yoga retreat on Anglesey

Your Letters

What’s inspired you about outdoor swimming this month?

SWIM LIST

Swim experiences to tick off your bucket list

Swimming is better with friends...

Lindsey Gallacher has created the perfect gift for your favourite swimming pal

SWIMS AROUND... Bristol

From lidos and lakes (both freshwater and marine) to an ancient river swimming club, Bristol and its environs is a haven for wild swimmers

Against the current

Verity Green overcame Ménière’s Disease to become the first deaf British female swimmer to cross the Channel. By Becky Horsbrugh

TREASURE HUNT

The elation of a day to oneself exploring the fells

Patron Page

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