What’s in our kit bag?

Editor’s letter

Things may still be looking pretty tough out there

Reader Photo Contest

Whether wild swimming, dipping in an urban lido, or

This issue’s theme: Sunrise Swim

See overleaf for this month’s winning photos

OUTDOOR SWIMMER SURVEY SHOWS BOOM IN WINTER SWIMMING IN 2020

Are you still swimming outside this winter? If so

SWIMMERS NEEDED FOR 2021 UK RELAY

In 2018 hundreds of swimmers around the country came

5 Things to do in January

Last year might have been a write off, but early signs

NEWS IN BRIEF

The Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) has confirmed that

ART OF SWIMMING

I am 15 years old and the founder of Murray Prints.

WOBURN LIDO, MILTON KEYNES

This lovely pool was first established in 1911. But

THE MAORI WHISKEY SMUGGLERS

In September 2020, New Zealand Maori brothers Nick and Alex Ravenhall embarked on a unique swimming challenge: to become the first people to swim across the Corryvreckan in Scotland with whisky smuggled in their wetsuits to make the world’s first ever whirlpool whiskey

Write in… Have your say

A bundle of cold water swimming joy!

#SWIMWILDANDFREE

Share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #swimwildandfree

Sarah Thomas

AN ICE MILE CAN BE A GLORIOUS ADRENALINE RUSH. IT CAN ALSO BE A TERRIFYING ADVENTURE INTO HYPOTHERMIA

View from the water

SIMON GRIFFITHS REVEALS WHAT HAPPENED WHEN HE SWAM FOR 30 DAYS IN A ROW IN THE THAMES IN NOVEMBER

Murie’s World

THERE IS GREAT PLEASURE TO BE FOUND IN NOT BEING ORDINARY, SAYS SWIMTREK FOUNDER SIMON MURIE

QUEEN SCALLOPS

Welcome to the United Queendom, land of swimming and seeing molluscs.

Patron Page

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

A NIGHT BY THE LAKE

Pete Kelly finds solitude and stillness in a night under the stars

Living the dream

Luke Chamberlain chats to Geordie adventurer and open water swimming coach Fenwick Ridley about doorstep adventures, ‘ice crossings’ and his lifelong passion for the outdoors

Thin places

History, nature writing and the Troubles. Kerri ni Dochartaigh’s new book recounts how nature and swimming kept her sane and helped her heal.

Swimming into battle

From a ten-mile underwater swim with a reed snorkel to the aquatic Japanese martial art Nihon eiho, Elaine K Howley explores the military history of swimming

STAY SAFE

We spoke to Samantha Hughes, National Water Safety Partner for the RNLI, for advice on how to stay safe in the water this winter

COACH CASSIE

Olympic medallist Cassie Patten answers your swimming questions

TRAIN LIKE A CHAMPION

Keri-anne Payne explains how to make your training more interesting to ultimately make you fitter and faster

GOALS AND VALUES

How to motivate yourself to achieve your goals

PUSHING OFF Getting started as an outdoor swimming coach

With a marine lake as an office, Rowan Clarke has an enviable job that flourished during lockdown. She shares her tips on getting started as an open water coach

REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC

One thing we’ve all had lately is a little more time

California dreaming

The Golden State isn’t all about surfing. Californian ocean swimmer Katie Godec recommends her favourite wild swimming destinations

Retreat to the wild

Jonathan Cowie gets back to nature on a cross-country swimming retreat in Devon

Lobster Squad!

Suzy Hegg safely thrilled to the chill at the inaugural #LobstersquadUK Cold Water Team Championships