CONTRIBUTORS

Editor’s letter

This issue we are putting the ‘out’ in

READER PHOTO CONTEST

OCTOBER PHOTO CONTEST – SWIMMING IN THE RAIN

OPEN WATER NEWS ROUND-UP

ENVIRONMENT Environmental campaigner swims coffin along River Wye

How to acclimatise yourself to cooler water

Before we had swimming pools, everyone one swam

Developing A Running Habit

View From The Water

BACK TO THE BEACH

Go The Distance

AUTUMN ADVENTURES

Swimming Wild

Eco Pages

PHOSPHORESCENT SEA PEN A sea pen is not

LOCATION SHARING

Summer is over and again this year with

RETIRING WETSUITS

Patching and repairs can extend the life of

WHILE YOU ARE AT THE WATER...

Catch spoots for supper

Access all areas

Emma Pusill reports on the positive changes happening at lidos despite the practical difficulties of increasing accessibility

WE SWIM PROUD

The LGBTQ+ experience of outdoor swimming.

Crowning Glory

Marathon swimmer Courtney Moates Paulk recently achieved her long-awaited ambition of becoming the first person in history to complete the Double-Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. She chats to Outdoor Swimmer about overcoming disappointment, breaking records and what her future in marathon swimming holds

UNLOST

Finding yourself in the wild outdoors

Witch’s Brew

How swimming was used as a divining rod by witch-hunters.

The Numerology of Lottie Schoemmell

During the Dark and Middle Ages, witches were

YOU ASK, WE ANSWER

Watching the men’s Olympic 10k marathon swim, I was struck by the difference in strokes – Florian Wellbrock’s smooth stroke versus Marc-Antoine Olivier’s more agressive style. What is the best freestyle stroke style for open water and should my open water stroke differ from how I swim in the pool?

POOL PAGE

Maximise your indoor pool training

SENSORY MANAGEMENT

Simple steps to block out swim anxiety

DRILL AND PRACTICE

The key to improving your stroke is practising relevant and effective drills.

CHILLY CHALLENGES

Rowan Clarke finds out how to add to your swimming badge collection with a winter swimming challenge

Let’s swim!

UK and international event listings

BRECA SWIMRUN JERSEY 2021

Simon Griffiths traveled to Jersey for the UK National Swimrun Championship

SCILLY SWIM CHALLENGE

Rowan Clarke ventures to the Isles of Scilly for an iconic swim challenge

Autumn Reads

Our pick of new books to take with you on your travels this autumn

Autumn Adventures

Kathy Rogers, editor of The Outdoor Swimming Guide, picks out eight swim spots to explore this autumn

Sauna Culture

Embrace the löyly with a cold water swim followed by a traditional sauna this winter

NIGHT SWIMMING

Swim experiences to tick off your bucket list

Patron Page

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

Your Letters

What’s inspired you about outdoor swimming this month?

#SWIMWILDANDFREE

Share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #swimwildandfree

HERD about these great bags?

Nancy Powell created a business to suit family life as well as swim suits and wet towels

The South Lakes

From England’s largest lake to small tarns nestling under fells, the South Lakes has something for everyone – whether you are a marathon swimmer or wild dipper

THE SILENCE OF THE TARNS

A night on the fells and a morning dip

LES SLINN

Regaining fitness after cancer treatment and focusing on the positives