PATRONS

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

TRENDING

SAS PADDLE-OUT DAY Outdoor swimmers and other water

GEAR

ADVENTURE BAGS • SWIM TRAVEL • KIT WE LOVE

CHALLENGE

MY SWIM STORY • EVENT LISTINGS

EXPLORE

WEEKENDINGS • ZEST LIFE • WILD SAUNA • FRITTON LAKE

SWIM LIFE

ENVIRONMENT • SWIMTERPRIZE

Welcome to the June issue...

There was a time, not that long ago,

Embracing the challenges

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love

View from the water

Simon Griffiths laments the closure of Henley Swim

THE MAIN EVENTS

Are events still the route into outdoor swimming?

ALL THE LIDOS

1. London fields lido 2. Northcroft Lido 3.

SWIM PEOPLE

SWIMTERVIEW • ALL THE LIDOS • SWIM HISTORY

IT STARTS WITH A MILE

Jharna Kumawat started her event swimming in the Serpentine in London and is now training for Ullswater end to end, this month she shares her events story

MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY

Rowan Clarke meets elite swimmer, Becca Mann, about

THE SWIMMING KING WHO WASN’T

ELAINE K. HOWLEY

MARKING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

On 12 May, Mental Health Swims had the

More water in Staffordshire!

We’re so excited to have officially opened our

COACH

WILD & RECREATION • POOL & TECHNIQUE • YOGA • CHALLENGE & ENDURANCE

WILD & RECREATION

This month why not celebrate midsummer with a sunrise or sunset swim, says Editor Ella Foote who is also an open water swim coach, swim guide and teacher

THE GREAT BRITISH SKINNY DIP

The Great British Skinny Dip is celebrating its

Sensory swimming

This is what you can see, hear, smell, touch and taste at the water’s edge this month

TRAINING POOL & TECHNIQUE

Following on from last issue where we focused on training hard, fast and more powerfully in the build-up phase, now it’s time to reflect, visualise and change the dynamic of training before we head into the main event. This is where the pool can help you to successfully focus on more specific technique, injury prevention and into a productive taper phase

CHALLENGE AND ENDURANCE

Learn to sprint on an endurance swim Simon

Can you have your cake and eat it? What to eat on event day

Whether you’re taking on a shorter swim or a more ambitious distance, carefully consider your pre- and post-swim nutrition, says personal trainer Vivienne Rickman

THREE WAYS TO IMPROVE ROTATOR CUFF MOBILITY

Liz is a fitness professional living in Somerset. She runs outdoor bootcamp sessions, circuit training and yoga workshops in Freshford, near Bath. Liz can also be booked for personal training sessions. Visit her website, lizlowe. journoportfolio.com , to find out more.

You Ask, We Answer!

Training and coaching ideas, questions and frustrations – let our experts help you swim better!

HEALTH

HEALTHY EATING • WHAT’S UP DOC • EVENT PSYCHOLOGY

Healthy meals

We are thrilled to be working with Chef and Food Writer, Claire Thomson and sharing healthy meals for longer swims from her new book, One Pan Beans . Each month Claire will share a recipe that will keep you full and satisfied for all kinds of swims. You can also follow Claire on Instagram, where she is known as @5oclockapron

What’s up, Doc?

Embedding movement into our everyday lives, with Age UK

EMBRACE POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY:

Transform Your Mindset for Event Day Success As

ADVENTURE BAGS

Whether you’re after a wet-dry bag, a robust carry-all or a lightweight duffle that packs away into your hand luggage, we’ve got you covered

KATHMANDU PACK&GO DUFFLE (30L), £50

Pro: Lightweight & packs down small Con: Only

YETI CAMINO CARRYALL 35L, £150

BEST FOR ROUGH GROUND Pro: Large main compartment

RED LIGHTWEIGHT WATERPROOF CROSSBODY BAG 7L, £39.95

Pro: Small, practical and waterproof Con: Not for

BUDDYSWIM 30L DRY BACKPACK, £60

Pro: Completely waterproof for carrying wet kit Con:

SWIM TRAVEL

Clever packing hacks, versatile layers and a post-swim pick me up

HOW TO PACK FOR SWIM TRAVEL

Your swim travel essentials – and how to carry them – as recommended by the Outdoor Swimmer team

Adventure shoes

PASSENGER Venice Roam Sandal, £39.95 For their size

Meet our reviewers

One luxury item I pack for my swim trips...

KIT WE LOVE

LAND&WATER FACE MOISTURISER, HYDRATE & RESTORE, £32 This

SWIMMING AROUND THE WORLD

How to make the most of your next foreign swim

THE GREAT RIVER SWIM, IRELAND

Simon Griffiths swam 12km down the River Shannon with Gaelforce Events

LUKE RICHARDS

From sinking to swimming, Luke Richards learns how to go the distance

MONSTERS AND THE UNKNOWN

Mental Health Swims Community Engagement Manager Sarah Groves updates us as she finishes week 12 of training

Let's swim!

UK AND INTERNATIONAL EVENT LISTINGS

EBBA, HEREFORDSHIRE

Digital editor Abi finds an idyllic swim retreat in the Welsh Borders, just a short drive from the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye

FINDING A ZEST FOR LIFE IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

Digital editor Abi Whyte unwinds and recharges on a spring yoga and swimming retreat on the shores of Windermere

WILD SAUNA

As saunas pop up alongside beaches, riverbanks and lakes across the UK, author Emma O’Kelly chooses 10 of her favourite locations from her new guide book for swimmers looking to balance cold dips with a dose of heat

FERAL AND FREE AT FRITTON

Every swimmer loves a hotel with a pool, but Fritton Lake offers so much more for open water enthusiasts, Ella Foote discovers more

ENVIRONMENT

What you can do if you spot blue-green algae, ways to use water wisely and why sharks aren’t the villains of the sea. Environment Editor Jo Tinsley reports on the things that matter to us as swimmers

THE RIVERS TRUST

IT’S TIME TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE USING WATER WISELY

CHAMPION OF THE WATERWAYS

In 2022, Dorset swimmer Oly Rush became the

Watch Read Listen

Things I love this month: Ocean with David

Outside the Lanes

Record-breaking swimmer Becca Mann shares how she turned

IS A RIVER ALIVE?

Robert Macfarlane Rivers are not mere matter

HOW TO HAVE A MAGNIFICENT MIDLIFE CRISIS

Kate Muir For millennia, women have been

THE SWIMMING GROUP

Bella Ellwood-Clayton An addictive psychological thriller with

LAND BENEATH THE WAVES

Nic Wilson A moving, honest and revealing memoir

Listen to this!

Freestyle Media Podcast From the Pool to the

RYDE

Larnia Ryder is the founder and innovator of Ryde, a sustainable and inclusive outdoor clothing brand. Finding a robe that could have multiple uses gave her the inspiration to start the business

PAUL EAGLESTONE

Coach Paul Eaglestone has put his winning formula into print.His new book, Free Speed is out now, we find out why readers will love it