Happy New Year!

The start of a new year is a

PATRONS

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

• TRENDING •

FUTURE LIDOS APPEAL Future Lidos supports over 170

New year, new plans

A new year, new plans, new swims, new

View from the water

Simon Griffiths looks at why pools are in peril and what the consequences might be

2024 SWIM REVIEW

Rowan Clarke looks back over a year of outdoor swimming

SWIM ON

What has 2025 got in store for outdoor swimming? Rowan Clarke finds out

SWIM PEOPLE

SWIM ON 2025 • POLLY ATKIN EL AINE

POLLY ATKIN

Polly Atkin can’t get enough sunlight, which is why outdoor swimming is ideal. Here she shares how the outdoor world feeds her soul and her work

“SUFFICIENTLY COLD AND TREACHEROUS FOR HER PURPOSES”

Myrtle Huddleston’s Lake Tahoe crossing tested her mettle and her ability to adapt to challenges on the fly

Staying Safe with the NOWCA Wild App: A Must-Have for Wild Swimmers

Wild swimming is a thrilling way to connect

VOLUNTEER FOR MENTAL HEALTH SWIMS

Are you a kind, empathetic human who is

COACH

Image: Bruno Teves BEGINNER SWIMMER • SARAH THOMAS

BASIC SWIM TRAINING

Why do swimmers train in different ways, and what’s the best way for you to train?

STAYING SWIM FIT WITHOUT AN EVENT: BUILDING A FLEXIBLE TRAINING PLAN

When you don’t have an event on the

Asking the right questions

Wherever you’re at on your swimming journey, it’s

CAMEL POSE

PERSONAL TRAINING WITH VIVIENNE RICKMAN

‘No mud, no lotus’

LIZ LOWE

GEAR

Image: Zone3 COLD-WATER SWIMSUITS • SWIM HATS •

THERMAL SWIMWEAR

CHILLY SWIM Shark Bite, £159.99 THEY SAY... This

HOW TO CHOOSE A SWIM CAP

WHY WEAR A SWIM CAP? Primarily worn to

KIT WE LOVE...

SHOWERS PASS CLOUDBURST HOODIE, £199 One thing you’ll

CHALLENGE

SEVEN OCEANS • PORTISHEAD POPSICLE • EVENT LISTINGS

WORLD’S YOUNGEST OCEANS SEVEN SWIMMER

A young ultra-marathon swimmer from New Zealand has

PORTISHEAD POPSICLE PARTY

This annual event is a highlight in many swimmers’ calendars and for the second time Ella Foote plunged into Por tishead Open Air Pool for its winter event

LET’S SWIM!

UK AND INTERNATIONAL EVENT LISTINGS

WEEKENDING: CEDAR MANOR

Weekend escapes with a swimming opportunity – this month Ella Foote heads to Cedar Manor, Windermere, for an indulgent afternoon tea and cool dips in the Lake District

BETA COTTAGE – A PLACE TO SWIM, REST AND CREATE

Planning swim holidays and trips yourself can be tricky when there are so many wonderful places to stay in the UK, Ella Foote discovers staying in a swimmer ’s home-from-home is a good place to start.

SWIM LIFE

FELL FOODIE• SWIMTERPRIZE WATCH, RE AD, LISTEN •

FELL FOODIE

Harrison Ward, better known as Fell Foodie, is an outdoor cook who loves to recreate restaurant-style meals on minimal equipment (usually a camp stove) in remote locations

ENVIRONMENT

Disco scallops ISSUE If you love the

WHILE YOU’RE AT THE WATER

ROCK SAMPHIRE (CRITHMUM MARITIMUM)

Reflecting and looking ahead

The reflection and looking ahead that accompanies the

COMING SOON

Breaking Waves: Discovery, Healing and Inspiration in the

Unsung: Series 2 Episode 3

Over half a million of us took a

Watch Read Listen

SWIMMING SCREENTIME Kendal Mountain Festival on tour Each

DIPTRIBE

Meet diptribe® – ethically -made togs reflecting a passion for open water

OUT WITH THE OLD

This time of year my parents always want