My Swim Story...

Editor’s Letter

This month the clocks fall back, and we

TRENDING

Climate Games Download the Climategames app to log

View From The Water

Simon Griffiths looks at how to swim for health

Adaptive Swimmer: Sophie Etheridge

I AM A CHANNEL SWIMMER Imagine sitting on

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)

WILD LIFE

Windermere

ISSUE

Sarah Thomas: Marathon Swimmer

It was a cold Sunday morning in the

BODIES OF WATER

Rowan Clarke explores the healing powers of cold water for our physical health

SWIM PEOPLE

DR MARK HARPER • ELAINE HOWLEY • JOE MINIHANE CAROLINE SAXON • BETSY KIUNISALA MEDALLA • JONATHAN COWIE

COMBINATORY PLAY LEADS TO COLD WATER CURE

Why does swimming in cold water feel so good? How does cold water swimming benefit our physical and mental health? Why do I want to pee so badly when immersing in the cold? Dr Mark Harper’s new book answers all your questions and more. Interview by Ella Foote

SURVIVAL SWIMS

When the stakes are high enough, even untrained swimmers can endure longer than they might expect.

Solo Swimmer

Iswim for my health. Not just my mental

Outdoor Swimmer Beginner: Minreet Kaur

Thanks to my mum, swimming has given me a new lease of life in my forties

Prioritising Rest

This month has been particularly difficult for me.

THE FIRST SOLO SWIM FROM ENGLAND TO BELGIUM

WORLD FIRST

First person to swim the English Channel over six consecutive decades

This summer Jersey longdistance swimmer Sally Minty-Gravett swam

Fifth ocean conquered

Bárbara Hernández Huerta has completed the North Channel

Tit Tales

Stories from The Bluetit Chill Swimmers community

NANDUN YUNG PUSO – “THE HEART IS THERE”

The Philippines is undergoing an open water renaissance thanks to swimmer, event organiser and coach Betsy Kiunisala Medalla. By Jia H Jung

Free Body Culture

The revolution will not be clothed.

HEALTH

HYPOTHERMIA • MENTAL HEALTH SWIMS RECIPE • LIZ LOWE • SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

James Mead on finding balance

When it comes to health, we sometimes forget

Learn the signs of hypothermia

STAY SAFE

RECIPE

ANNA SOUTHWELL – LOVES CAFE, WESTON SIMPLE ROASTED

PRESCRIBING SWIMMING

A new study has launched to explore the benefits of prescribing outdoor swimming for mental health. Ella Foote finds out more

Preventing ear infections

Why the smallest bit of swim kit is the most important

BODY CARE: EAR BUDS

If you are a regular swimmer, ear buds should be an essential piece of kit. Protecting your ears ensures you protect yourself from infection and complications in the ear canal. Which pair is best? Ella Foote finds out

COACH

YOU ASK, WE ANSWER • MOVE OF THE MONTH OPEN WATER SKILLS • MYTH BUSTING • ISURVIVED

You Ask, We Answer!

QUESTION: I am a 45 year old male

TRAINING

OPEN WATER SKILLS

I survived Transient Global Amnesia

In my 70th year I swam both Best

MYTH BUSTING

You only get the benefits of cold water immersion if you don’t wear a wetsuit.

WINTER WARRIORS

Whether you are a skins swimmer or a wetsuit warrior, some well-chosen neoprene can help you extend your swimming season.

GEAR

NEOPRENE ACCESSORIES

NEOPRENE

BEST FOR BRAIN FREEZE Finisterre Nieuwland 2e Yulex

CHALLENGE

HERM 360 EVENT REVIEW • EVENT LISTINGS

HERM 360: EVENT REVIEW

Simon Griffiths takes a spin around the Channel Island of Herm

LET’S SWIM!

UK AND INTERNATIONAL EVENT LISTINGS

EXPLORE

SWIM GUIDE • GUERNSEY

SWIMMING GUIDE

Ray Farr of Swim with Ray: The Punchbowl

SWIMS FOR ALL IN GUERNSEY

From beaches to adventure swims, Simon Griffiths explores Guernsey’s many swimming options

SWIM LIFE

PHOTO COMPETITION • SWIMTERPRIZE • WATCH, READ, LISTEN PATRONS •LETTERS • MY SWIM STORY

READER PHOTO CONTEST

Enter our monthly reader photo competition for a

Living well, with little

Ella Foote meets writer Nancy Campbell and discovers to live well we need very little

BAGS OF JOY

Wild swimming gifts designed by Alice Palace. Jonathan Cowie finds out more

Watch Read Listen

SWIMMING SCREENTIME Vindication Swim An upcoming biographical drama

Patron Page

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

YOUR LETTERS

What has inspired you about outdoor swimming this month? Email: editor@outdoorswimmer.com Twitter: @outdoor_swimmer Instagram: @outdoorswimmer