PATRONS

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

SWIM PEOPLE

SWIMTERVIEW • MY SWIM STORY SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS • SWIM HISTORY

Welcome to the March issue...

For a long time, I didn’t like to

Sharing the river

There is a moment that only an outdoor

View from the water

Far from being “biologically dead”, the Thames is a great place for wildlife, says Simon Griffiths

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

When it comes to wildlife encounters, how close is too close? asks Rowan Clarke

SWIMMING WITH WILDLIFE

Wonder, responsibility and the fear factor

MONSTERS OF THE DEEP

Why are we so fascinated by deep sea monsters? Rowan Clarke asks writer and academic, Prema Arasu

NEVER STOP EXPLORING

Raised by the sea in Western Australia, Madoc Lanfear Appleby has found challenge, calm and meaning in open water swimming

CHALLENGE

REALLY COLD CHAMPS • BARBADOS • EVENT LISTINGS Image:

Event Review: THE REALLY COLD SWIM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Long distance and ice swimmer Jo Jones reports on this year’s event

Event Review: Barbados Open Water Swim Festival

Alison Atfield decided to travel to Barbados alone for a new challenge

Let’s swim!

UK AND INTERNATIONAL EVENT LISTINGS

VIGILANT FOR THE VODYANOY

Savvy humans placate this devious, eco-conscious water spirit of Slavic mythology

WINGING IT: THE DAY A SWAN BECAME MY PACER

What an unexpected river chase taught Jharna Kumawat about calm, kindness, and keeping strokes tidy

COACH

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

CHALLENGE AND ENDURANCE

Alice Dearing shares her experience about how to deal with wildlife when taking part in events and competition

TRAINING POOL & TECHNIQUE

How to boost endurance and swim stronger in the pool

WILD & RECREATION

Editor Ella Foote is also an open water swim coach, outdoor swim guide and teacher. This month, prepare for the season ahead with a mind and body spring clean

Using the outdoor environment for dryland training

Outdoor swimmers are naturally drawn to being outside.

5 ways to calm the nervous system

Liz is a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and yoga teacher living near Bath in Somerset. Visit her website, freshfordfitness.com to find out more.

HEALTH

POWER OF BREATH • WHAT’S UP DOC

Healthy meals

Chef and Food Writer, Claire Thomson shares healthy meals for longer swims from her book, One Pan Beans . Each month Claire shares 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?

NATURE PRESCRIPTIONS

Breath, water and vibration

Breathing correctly makes us better swimmers, but can working on breath on dryland helps us in the water? Ella Foote joins a Sonic Freedive session at Lime Wood’s Herb House Spa to find out

GEAR

OPEN WATER GOGGLES • KIT BAGS • HOME GYM

OPEN WATER GOGGLES

Whether you’re looking for a performance focused, low-profile style or a wide field of vision for sighting in open water, we’ve found your next pair of goggles

KIT BAGS

Our favourite oversized totes to fit all your open water kit

HOW CAN I SET UP A HOME GYM AS A SWIMMER?

Wanting to build strength and improve technique outside of the pool? Try these simple and inexpensive pieces of home gym kit

KIT WE LOVE

COTOPAXI ALLPA 35L TRAVEL PACK, £220 What I love

EXPLORE

WEEKENDING • SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND

STANWELL HOUSE HOTEL

Weekend escapes with a swimming opportunity – Ella Foote shares her experience of Stanwell House Hotel in Lymington, Hampshire

WILD SWIMMING IN LONDON AND SOUTH EAST ENGLAND

Natasha Sones, outdoor adventurer, wild swimmer and author of Swimming Wild in South East England , shares six of her favourite places to dip

SWIM LIFE

ENVIRONMENT • WATCH, READ, LISTEN • SWIMTERPRIZE

ENVIRONMENT

A swim celebrating community, confidence and collective care for our oceans; the sisters swimming for orcas and the importance of river margins: Jo Tinsley reports on the things that matter to us as swimmers

Watch Read Listen

Ocean: How to Save Earth's Last Wilderness SIR DAVID

LUCINDA SMITH

Artist Lucinda Smith found the water was a great way to escape a stressful job, now it inspires her creativity

RACHEL BOWER

Author and poet Rachel Bower’s debut novel, It Comes from the River , is infused with folklore and watery inspiration