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Editor’s letter

Well, what a difference a couple of weeks makes! Amid

SWIMQUEST

READER PHOTO CONTEST

GOVERNMENT RELAXES LOCKDOWN MEASURES ON OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

In May, the UK government announced that some sports

NEWS IN BRIEF

The Royal Parks, in consultation with the Serpentine

AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE RNLI

“Despite our warnings that there were no lifeguards

Downstream

An audio series of authors reading from their books. Click to listen.

ART OF SWIMMING

“I love working with clay, and I love to be in, on

PELLS POOL, LEWES

I have swum in Pells Pool just three times but in the

COVID-19 AND OPEN WATER COACHING

We chat with Open Water Coach Rowan Clarke about her approach to returning to the water in the current circumstances. Rowan swims and coaches at Clevedon Marine Lake near Bristol

# SWIMWILDANDFREE

Share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #swimwildandfree

VIEW FROM (NEAR) THE WATER

Outdoor swimming is back, but it will look very different

CUTTLEFISH

The redheads of the cephalopod realm.

Swimming dreams

While in the UK, some restrictions on outdoor swimming have been removed, and venues are cautiously re-opening, we are still a long way from outdoor swimming as we used to know it. Orca asked the Outdoor Swimmer team about what we miss, what swimming means to us and where we’re dreaming of swimming again

A TRIBUTE TO WATER

Author Lenka Janiurek’s new book, Watermarks: Life, Death and Swimming, is a personal tale with a watery twist. Ella Foote dives in to find out more.

A SWIMMING LESSON

A swimming short story

THE HIDEAWAY

Pete Kelly savours the seclusion of a secret hideaway and the slower pace of life in lockdown

The innocent truth of skinny- dipping

Missed the outdoors? Now could be the perfect time

A different channel

Kate Gillwood meets four women whose love of swimming shaped their careers

Escapades Across the English Channel

The English Channel has long beckoned to swimmers and less aquatic adventurers alike.

SOURCE TO SEA

Laura Sanderson is on a quest to tackle micro plastic pollution, Ella Foote finds out more.

The Bold and the Beautiful

What happens when the world’s biggest daily ocean swimming group comes to a sudden stop?

MY SWIM STORY

Last month, Cassie Patten told us how she got involved in open water swimming . This issue we hear how she went from her first open water event to winning a World Champiship medal before setting her sights on the Beijing Olympics

POST- LOCKDOWN RACING

How to race in open water with no training.

INCREASE EFFICIENCY! REDUCE DRAG! INCREASE SPEED!

Physiotherapist Darren Wigg explains how to use Swimming Specific Pilates (SSP) to swim more efficiently and reduce injury

GETTING BACK TO SWIMMING

Gather around, gather around…Well no closer than two metres please! 100% Swimming Coach Paul Fowler helps you back into the water

LOOKING AFTER OURSELVES: THRIVING AND SURVIVING

Sport psychologist Helen Davis takes us through a six-step exercise to help you thrive and survive when faced with difficult situations

THE BEGINNERS’ GUIDE TO WETSUITS

Everything you ever wanted to know about wetsuits, from choosing the right size to putting one on while remaining socially distanced. Plus, we review the best wetsuits for under £275

HOW TO PUT ON A WETSUIT

Socially distanced, self sufficient wetsuit fitting. By Jason Tait, South West Swim

Share the passion, inspire your friends

Now is the time for outdoor swimmers to help support

TRAVEL ZONE

In association with

TRAVEL IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS

For many of us, summer is showing its face (in the

Stay home and swim!

SwimTrek founder Simon Murie looks at some favourite UK swimming spots and their nearest European equivalents

Running in rubber and other shenanigans

Jude Palmer looks at the practicalities of running in full swimrun gear

Transitioning to Swimrun

Matt Hill, based in Stockholm, shares his top five tips for swimmers tempted to try swimrun

Make do… & improvise!

Jude Palmer looks at cheaper alternatives to swimrun kit