Beginner's Guide to Outdoor Swimming

presents BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO OUTDOOR SWIMMING

PART1 WHERE TO SWIM TECHNIQUE & SKILLS KIT GUIDE EXPERT ADVICE 4 Editor's letter Welcome to the world of outdoor swimming! If you haven't yet taken the plunge into swimming outdoors, part 1 of our two-part guide in association with ProWetsuit.co.uk, Europe’s swim wetsuit specialist, will introduce you to the joys of the open water as well as giving you practical advice on how to start your swimming journey, improve your stroke technique and train for your frst open water event. Plus, we've got tips and advice from all kinds of outdoor swimmers – whether you want to swim your frst mile or cross the English Channel. So take a deep breath and dive in – the water's lovely! Part 2 includes a training plan for your frst open water 10 mile, the joys of mass participation events and developing open water skills. Happy swimming, Jonathan

Why Swim 4 Outdoors? Swimming outdoors Beter offers so much more than Breaststroke the pool. 24 Follow our nine steps to an efficient breaststroke Wild Swimming technique you can be Guide proud of. 10 Top tips for taking a swim on the wild side. Thrill to the 18 Chill Outdoor 28 The joys of cold water Swimming Kit swimming. 18 Everything you need to get started. Swimming Holidays Front Crawl 32 Take the plunge with a basics guided tour, training camp 20 Start your journey or event. towards becoming a more efficient and faster 20 swimmer. 28 Founder & Publisher Simon Griffiths Editor Jonathan Cowie Contributing editor Alice Gartland Art Editor Juliet Boucher Sub Editor Stuart Churchill Contributors Daniel Start, Dan Bullock, Terry Laughlin, John Coningham-Rolls, Jonathan Knot

Cover image Daniel Start, Wild Things Publishing Printed in the UK by Pensord Press Ltd on behalf of ZG Publishing Ltd Images: Karen Weir, Daniel Start, Total Immersion, Vermont Cold Water Cold Vermont Immersion, Total Daniel Start, Weir, Images: Karen OUTDOORS? SwimmingWHY outdoors oﬀers so muchSWIM more than the pool, says Simon Griﬃths utdoor swimming is: an adventure, Perhaps the main draw – plain and simple Swimming in a pool can also be enjoyable a community, ftness, wellbeing, a – is that it's very enjoyable. If you haven't too, of course. Tere is something special about race, a meditation, a way of life… experienced outdoor swimming, that can being immersed in water. Perhaps it's because Te rewards of swimming outdoors sound surprising. If you're used to swimming it's the closest we can get to fying. In open water Oare many and varied and this guide is here to pool temperatures for example, entering open you also get the pleasure of being outside – support you to take that frst leap into the big water can give you quite a shock (literally) but immersed in nature as well as in water. blue beyond… with a bit of practice you can tolerate, Swimming outdoors also gives For years, authorities have been warning and even thrive in, a wide range of you more opportunity to play. us against swimming in open water. Tey natural water temperatures. You can leap of rocks, swing say it’s cold and dirty, that there are hidden Swimming in cool water is a from trees into the water and undercurrents and weeds that can entangle whole-body sensual dive through waves. And it you and drag you down, and if you do happen experience. Tere's doesn’t matter if you are to survive the initial swim, you’ll probably get an initial period of nine or 99 years old. ill aferwards. Later we’ll bust these myths and discomfort followed As well as show you how you can swim outside safely, but by a spell of feeling enjoyment and fun frstly we want to answer a more fundamental invigorated and there are outdoor question: why should you swim outside? energised. swimmers who Pica caption here xxx 4 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com OUTDOOR SWIMMING Images: Clare Calder, Siobhan Russell, Simon Willis

OUTDOORS? take up the sport for the challenges it ofers wearing a wetsuit compulsory) but that’s not to rest at every turn. Not so in a lake or the and the satisfaction that comes from achieving the case for all races. ocean. Even the push of from the wall at each things they previously thought of as impossible. A mile equates to a little over 64 lengths of a turn gives you a second or two to rest your A frst step for many new open water standard 25m swimming pool but it’s a totally arms whereas outside they are in constant swimmers is to sign up diferent challenge in motion. Ten, because you don’t have a black for a mass participation open water. Firstly, the line to follow, it’s much harder to swim straight. swimming event. We like SWIMMING IN water temperature will Tese means an open water mile is ‘longer’ than the word ‘event’ rather most likely be cooler a pool mile and for most people will be slower. than ‘race’ as ofen, for the COOL WATER IS than the pool and while Other diferences are limited visibility, majority, these swims are A WHOLE- a wetsuit does ofer rough conditions, other swimmers in close not about racing but about some protection you proximity, depth, distance from the shore overcoming a personal BODY SENSUAL still feel the chill on and the possibility of encountering wildlife challenge and completing EXPERIENCE your face, hands and or swimming through plants. It’s no wonder the distance. A typical feet. A wetsuit can also people feel a huge sense of achievement afer beginner’s distance is a mile and there is a wide feel restricting so combined with the shock of completing an open water swim for the frst range of events in diferent locations and types the cold this can cause some people to panic. time. On the plus side, because you’re not of water around the world ofering this. In the But don’t worry, you can overcome this with a changing direction every 25m, swimming a UK, many swimmers will use a wetsuit for their bit of practice. mile outside can, in some ways, feel easier than frst open water race (some organisers make Secondly, in a pool you have the opportunity in the pool. ➜

outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 5 DELASE GAZO Age: 26 Swim Highlights: Participating in a 4x50m relay at the London Aquatics Relax and focus on Centre during the European feeling natural Aquatics Championships as part of Swim London (an adult learn to swim course) and the Great Newham London Swim. How did you first get into outdoor swimming? I decided to participate in the Swim London programme and open water MICHELLE CASTRO swimming was part of the course. Everything Age: 32 was afraid of open water feel their is a lot to learn I had learned about swimming before Swim Highlights swimming, but not any more… and I want to improve my then came from primary school swimming 2016 was the start of my Favourite Swim Spot technique. lessons. Despite having poor technique, outdoor swimming journey. Tynemouth has a What would you say to I could will myself to 25m because I was I took part in an organised beautiful sandy beach with a someone considering geting armed with the confidence that being able to trip with the “This Girl spectacular historic backdrop into outdoor touch the botom with my feet brings. Can” group from Active of Tynemouth Priory and swimming? What does outdoor swimming mean to Northumberland to swim Castle. Feel the fear – and get in the you? with seals at the Farne What are your top three tips water anyway! Freedom Islands. Outdoor swimming for beginners to outdoor What made you take up outdoor has allowed me to make swimming? Practise geting swimming? new friends and has given in and out of your wetsuit – I've always had this visual in my head of me a newfound confidence it's not as easy as it looks! diving off of a boat into the sea. I couldn't to swim in pools, lakes and Purchase a good pair of really swim, so I couldn't safely enact it. the sea. My aim is to take anti-fog swimming goggles. Participating in Swim London was the first on a swimrun race and work Swim with other like-minded step to realising it. towards an Ironman. people. It makes it more What are your top three tips for What does outdoor fun and there's safety in beginners to outdoor swimming? swimming mean to you? numbers, in case you get into Relax and focus on the swim feeling Outdoor swimming means any difficulties. natural: 'Stroke: 1, 2, 3, breathe... 1, 2, 3, geting out of my comfort What kind of training do breathe.' The transition from the pool to zone. It's about enjoying your you do? open water was easier than I anticipated. surroundings and embracing I am currently having The wetsuit aids your buoyancy. It's mainly nature. Only last year I swimming lessons as I still a mental hurdle to overcome. The rest I want to improve comes with practice. my technique

Distance➜ maters restricted and you sense the water over your Channel between Ireland and Scotland. All Some swimmers like to push the barriers entire body. these swims ofer diferent challenges in terms through ever longer distances. If you’ve The pinnacle of marathon swimming of currents, water temperatures and possibly done a mile, why not try two miles or five challenges is often considered to be the wildlife encounters. kilometres or ten kilometres – the swimming English Channel. This 21-mile swim can marathon. take anywhere from seven hours (the current Ice breakers For the purists though, real marathon world record, held by Trent Grimsey, is 6:55) Another way outdoor swimmers challenge swimming is done without a wetsuit. Not only to 28 hours and 44 minutes (the current themselves is with temperature. Historically, do you have to train you body and mind to do slowest swim record held by Jackie Cobell). the distance, you have to deal with the cold and, For the swim to be recognised as ‘official’ you in the sea, possibly jellyfsh stings. Removing need to do it without a wetsuit and follow your wetsuit and swimming outdoors without specific rules regarding your costume and YOU CAN LEAP OFF one for the frst time can be very nerve- swim cap. ROCKS AND SWING wracking. You lose the warmth and buoyancy Te English Channel is not the only FROM TREES INTO benefts. But it can be incredibly liberating. marathon swim in the world. Others include Your arms and shoulders are no longer the Cook Strait in New Zealand and the North THE WATER

6 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com OUTDOOR SWIMMING

GERALDINE energy generated by other and a small island to swim JASON BETLEY groups of swimmers. There around. TREACHER are so many interesting, What are your top three Age: 47 Age: 37 mad, life-loving people who tips for beginners for long Swim highlights: English Channel, 2014, 13 Swim highlights: Lake participate, and every local distance swimming? hours 59 minutes. Strait of Gibraltar, 2015, Zurich, 26.6km, no wetsuit. group I’ve encountered has It’s easy to get in and swim with Helen Gibbs, in 3 hours 16 minutes, Age group silver in the 2016 been incredibly welcoming. but if you’re planning to get the fastest Britons to make that crossing. British Open Water Swimming I also really like that women some distance under your Catalina 2-way, September 2015, 64 km, 28 Championships. Four-woman and people of all ages are belt then spend some time hours 12 minutes team English Channel relay. genuinely involved. . on your technique before How did you first get into outdoor How did you first get into What made you take up long you ramp up the miles. This swimming? In 2012 I swam the Great East outdoor swimming? distance swimming? I used will help you swim faster, but Swim 2 mile event in a wetsuit. This was I initially tried some of the to do a lot of mountain biking, much more importantly, will afer about a year of steadily gaining shorter mass participation but had to stop because of help prevent repetitive strain fitness in the pool following a rest from events and really enjoyed knee problems. Open water sports injuries. There’s nothing swimming of them. The highlight was a swimming was the obvious worse than succumbing about 22 years. river swim from Hampton replacement. And, then, to a shoulder injury two Despite this Court down to Kingston. There once I’d done a few 3km weeks before your event of being my first was something inexplicably events and felt confident the season. Stretching and proper ‘event’, atractive about swimming about them my addictive/ sports massage can help you I decided with the current in silty water obsessive personality kicked recover and prevent injury. straight down the Thames, where in and I found myself setting You need to give yourself time aferwards people aren’t really supposed goals to swim further and to acclimatise to cold water. that I was to be, and feeling integrated further. In 2013 two friends I’ve found that I get more going to swim into the landscape and the asked me if I’d like to join acclimatisation benefit from the English river, and seeing everything them swimming the Gibraltar longer swims in water that is a Channel. on the river bank from a Strait from Spain to Morocco bit on the cold side than from What does perspective that you don’t the following summer and I shorter swims in very very cold outdoor usually get. said yes because I couldn’t water. For me cold resilience swimming Strike out from What does outdoor think of a good reason to is an ongoing challenge but I mean to shore swimming mean to you? The say no. Completing that persist! you? I find thing I am constantly struck swim, which was 16km for What kind of training do you a wonderful by is the outdoor swimming us, was the point at which I do? satisfaction in having the freedom and community: the enthusiastic felt I’d properly and slightly I’m a member of Out To Swim, confidence in my own ability to strike out by accident become a long which is the London LGBT from shore on a swim that most people distance swimmer. masters swim club, and the would never even dream of. It’s fun whether Favourite swim spot? club sessions give me a good you are cuting serenely through mirror There are so many beautiful mix of aerobic and higher conditions or fighting chop and confusion, spots. I swim with the intensity training. I also train there’s hardly a swim I have ever regreted! Images: Karen Weir, Andrew Kenyon Serpentine Swimming Club in with Wswim, a weekly session What made you take up long distance Hyde Park, which is fabulous for women wanting to get swimming? The prolific and successful long because it feels like an oasis of into club and open water distance swimmer Dave Barra has a saying outdoor calm in the middle of swimming, run by swim coach that ‘If something is worth doing, it is worth London. But my favourite spot Emily Chong. Once a week, and overdoing’. I am right with him on that one. has to be at Mt Maunganui in more if possible over winter, I Favourite swim spot? La Jolla New Zealand. Beautiful golden head to the gym for a strength Cove near San Diego. sand, rugged beach, big waves, session. Blog: swimsequence. Cold resilience is an wordpress.com ongoing challenge a few swimmers have swum year-round in hundreds of ways to enjoy and challenge locations such as Brighton, the Serpentine and yourself and it doesn’t matter if you’re Tooting Bec Lido, even going so far as to break fast or slow, young or old. Tere’s space the ice to get at the water. As autumn turns to for everyone. As for the safety fears, winter and temperatures plunge these swims you can never make swimming tend to get shorter – sometimes as short as a totally risk free but through a bit of minute or two– but fans of extreme cold water planning, common sense and the say they feel great all day aferwards. Many also right precautions you can minimise believe it boosts their immunity against winter the chances of coming to any harm. Te benefts colds. of swimming outside are many and varied and In more recent years, as cold water for some it becomes a life-long passion. swimming has gained in popularity, winter Our aim in this introductory guide to swimming has been formalised into events outdoor swimming is to show you some of the and there is even a Winter Swimming World places swimming might take you if you free Championships. yourself from the confnes of the pool, and how In brief then, outdoor swimming ofers to get there. outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 9 WILD SWIM MING Daniel Start, author of Wild Swimming, shares his tips for taking the plunge

What is wild swimming and why do it? ‘Wild Swimming’ is the ancient art of swimming in natural waters such as rivers, lakes and waterfalls, as well as the sea – the sort of places our great grandparents learnt to swim in and the only places before swimming pools were invented in Victorian times. Today there is something slightly naughty, a little bit adventurous and wonderfully invigorating about wild swimming. Getting in, and out, is as much a part of the ritual as the swim itself. Some like to tiptoe, but I like to jump (if I have checked the depth frst) and it’s the sheer fun of a day spent by the river that makes wild swimming a perfect escape. From Celtic enchanted pools to early Christian river baptisms, through to Wordsworth and Coleridge frolicking in Lake District waterfalls, there has always been a strong tradition of wild water swimming in Britain. Te health and psychological benefts of dipping in natural waters have long been known – and our many spa towns are a testament to this. Florence Nightingale and Charles Dickens both claimed to have been cured by traditional forms of ‘hydrotherapy’. First, a one-of dunk, particularly in cold water, creates intense THE HEALTH AND vasodilation, pumping out muscle PSYCHOLOGICAL lactates, and bringing fresh blood BENEFITS OF to the extremities. Te Turks and Romans understood this DIPPING IN NATURAL with their hot-cold plunge pools, WATERS HAVE LONG and so does Paula Radclife, BEEN KNOWN LOWER DWILI who always took a cold shower WATERFALLS before a race. Second, afer Afon Nedd Fechan, Ponneddfechan, regular swimming, a process Glynneath known as cold adaptation kicks in. Not only does this reduce your body’s sensation of coldness (making even the coldest water quite pleasant), it is clinically proven to boost mode, libido and the immune system – as shown in NASA experiments from the 1980s and more recent studies of year round swimmers imunnity from colds and fu. Finally, a cold dip also provides a psychological kick start. A powerful endorphin shot is ➜

10 Outdoor Swimmer WILD SWIMMING WILD SWIM MING GUIDE

OVERBECK BRIDGE, WAST WATER, LAKE DISTRICT England’s deepest lake under the dramatic backdrop of England’s tallest mountain.

outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 11 PORT MEADOW Oxford

➜ released and this natural high raises mood, elates the senses and creates an addictive urge to dive back in. WILD SWIMMING So why has it taken so long for wild swimming IS THE PERFECT to come back into vogue? Te industrial decades of the 1950s and 1960s decimated our rivers WAY TO COMMUNE with unimaginable pollution, however thanks WITH NATURE to European policy our rivers and lakes are cleaner now than they’ve been in living memory. Hidden havens for wildlife once more, these happy to swim underwater, ride with a current secret corridors into forgotten corners of our and battle with mud. countryside are places to swim with kingfshers and otters. Bobbing along with a frog's-eye view Staying safe of the world, wild swimming is the perfect way To stay safe, never swim alone and remember, to commune with nature, seek inspiration, and if this is your frst time, stay or swim close to be humbled by the immensity and wonder of the the shore. Cold water will dramatically decrease natural world. your range at frst, count on being able to swim a tenth of the distance you can in a warm pool, How to get started so practise in a safe zone and increase your range If you want to get started you need very little slowly. If it’s your frst time swimming in cold beyond some trunks, a small travel towel (or water, enter the water gradually to see how your sarong), and ideally some lightweight aqua body reacts – beware of ‘cold shock’ which can shoes (old trainers work fne). Plan a walk or bring on hyperventilation. When you get out, it run so you arrive hot and sweaty, and with can take longer than you think to warm up, so some practice you should be able to manage 20 have plenty of clothing ready, and ideally head minutes without a wetsuit. For a longer session, straight of on another walk or run. or if you are heading into unknown territory – Other health hazards can include blue-green particularly the sea – you may need wetsuit. A algae, sometimes found in lowland lakes in swim cap will also conserve a huge amount of hot summers (best avoided as it can create a FAERIE POOLS Skye heat, and add to your visibility. Don’t forget a rash), swimmer’s itch (if you spend a lot of time plastic bag in which to bring wet kit back home wading through pond weed where snails breed) again. You don’t need to be an athletic swimmer, and, in extremely rare cases, Weil’s disease. but you should feel confdent in the water, and Tis latter illness is caught from rat urine,

12 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com WILD SWIMMING

mostly around urban waterways. It enters the skin through open cuts and wounds (wear a waterproof plaster if you have a cut). It is easily treated with antibiotics (see your doctor if you develop fu-like fever within a week of wild swimming) but if lef to develop, it can kill. Currents Currents aren’t necessarily dangerous – you’re not going to be sucked under – but they can be disorientating and may take you out into deeper water or close to an obstruction. Even shallow water, if it’s moving fast enough, can knock you over and carry you away. Always consider: if I do lose my footing or get swept MAKE WAVES downstream, where will I get out? In rivers with a strong current, keep an eye downstream, and In urban docks and stunning lochs with Great Swim always plan your emergency exit in case you are carried downstream. Currents can be especially powerful directly under large waterfalls or weirs – never jump directly into the tumult below falling water. In the sea, don’t swim from headlands unless you understand tidal currents, and don’t swim Children, particularly, love playing in water. marked orange or ‘access land’ with free right to in high surf conditions – ofshore rip currents Encourage their love of our outdoor waterholes roam. Lakes and rivers in these areas are ofen can form around cove edges and along sandy but keep a constant eye on all children. Watch wilder and perfect for a dip, as you can get right beaches, in between the surf breaks, and they out for signs of hypothermia (uncontrollable up to the bank or shore. Waterfalls will also be can carry swimmers out to behind the surf line shivering is the frst stage) as this can quickly marked, and many have a plunge pool where the (where they then dissipate). If this happens, exit cloud judgement and lead to slips, trips and falls. water has scoured out a bowl. the current by swimming parallel to the shore, If there is a lot of splashing and jumping going While mountain areas will ofen be dramatic and come back in on the surf. Te same is true if on, try to encourage kids to keep their mouth with waterfalls, gorges and tarns and the you are caught in a fast river – swim to the shore closed, and avoid swallowing the water. Drink cleanest of waters, the water will be cold, or side where the water will be calmer. too much and it will give young tummies belly good for short and exhilarating plunges only. ache and the runs. Lowland areas will have warmer winding rivers Swimming with friends and lakes, better for a longer swim, but with a For safe swimming, never swim alone. Go with a Where to wild swim greater possibility of bugs and beasties. Check friend, and always keep a lookout for each other. Some people like to drif downstream on a the ‘historic river water quality’ using the Even better, go with a group. You can fnd like- river safari, others like to follow a mountain Environment Agency online maps. minded people by searching Facebook for ‘wild brook dipping in every pool or waterfall as Te following list ofers some great places for swimming’ groups (a wide range of regional they go. I like rope swings, river tubing and beginners to have a go. ➜ groups and links are given on wildswimming. places for jumping, while others would prefer co.uk). Or post on the ‘Outdoor Swimming to take a canoe ride, and jump in for a swim Society’ Facebook group, where you can also along the way. Whatever your style you will fnd ‘socials’ and ‘adventure swims’ organised fnd many places recommended in the various through social media. Devon, Cornwall and wild swimming guidebooks, or if you search the the Lake District are particularly active regions. internet for wild swimming places or maps. Outdoor Swimmer magazine publishes a list of To fnd your own places, all you need is an events each month, and these are growing in Ordnance Survey map (ideally 1:25,000) and About the book number every year. Tese can be a great place some map reading skills or download using the Choose from: to meet people. Events such as the Dart 10k and Viewranger app on a smartphone. On smaller Wild Swimming: 300 hidden dips in Bantham Swoosh are very sociable. rivers look for old weirs (marked by a straight the rivers, lakes and Also organise your own friends. Many people line across the river) which create pools in rivers waterfalls of Britain 250 metres 2 miles don’t know how much they like wild swimming otherwise too shallow for swimming. On larger by Daniel Start is until they try. Lure your mates out a on a hot rivers, especially those with locks and boats, available from Wild 1/2 mile 5k day. Suggest a pub walk, but along a well-known it should be deep enough to swim anywhere. Things Publishing. swimming river with good swimming spots Examine the bends of rivers, where the inside £16.99. For more places and safety (e.g. the Tames, Wey, Wye, Ouse, Avon, Dart ofen creates a beach while the outside deepens information visit 1 mile 10k or Wharfe). Ensure everyone brings swimming into a deep pool. Bridges are ofen built where www.wildswimming.co.uk costumes and a lightweight towel or sarong. the river naturally narrows into a gorge, and Once people are hot and active they are more these can make excellent plunge pools for bridge Readers can receive 25% oﬀ and free likely to take the plunge, and if you are lucky you jumping. Bridges, fords and riverside tracks P&P with discount code ‘outdoorswimmer’ Enter today at will fnd other people already enjoying the water, indicate there will be few problems with access. at checkout which will entice the group in. In National Park areas much of the land will be greatswim.org outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 15 UK TOP 10 FOR BEGINNERS

HIGHER GLEN ETIVE POOLS ➜ A dramatic glen with many wonderful pink-rock river pools, easily accessible from the road. Plunge into the frst set of pools or continue down to fnd the deep gorge section. Popular wild camping spot. Turn lef a mile afer Te Kings House Hotel. 56.6252, -4.9052 1 GRANTCHESTER MEADOWS, RIVER CAM, CAMBRIDGE Over two miles of meadows and 2 swimming from Sheep’s Green down to the Orchard Tea Gardens in Grantchester. Once a favourite wild swimming places of the 3 Bloomsbury Group, including SHARRAH POOL, R Rupert Brooke and Virginia DART, DARTMOOR Woolfe. 20 mins walk from the Te Rivert Dart has train station. 52.1907, 0.1046 so many possibilities for swimming. Head upstream to Horseshoe Falls and eventually Sharrah pool. Tere are some good chutes here if you have an inner tube. 50.5301, -3.8396 5 PORT MEADOW, RIVER THAMES, OXFORD Two miles of sandy 4WIMBORNE MINSTER, beaches and grassy RIVER STOUR, meadows, though BOURNEMOUTH watch out for An old Roman ford, cattle. Te idyllic footbridge and countryside views LOWER DDWLI FALLS, R FECHAN, 4popular river pool with the church spires 6WATERFALL WOODS, SOUTH WALES with little beach. Near in the background Part of a series of stunning ‘forest lidos’ the National Trust’s provided much on beautiful trails through the ‘Waterfall Kingston Lacy estate inspiration for Lewis Woods’ in the Brecon Beacons. Tis and beech avenue. Carroll’s Alice in fantastic pool sits under a wide, arced 50.8000, -2.0076 Wonderland. 51.7698, cascade. Park at Pont Melin-fach car park, -1.2881 of the Ystradfellte road. 51.7826, -3.5853

16 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com WILD SWIMMING

JOE MINIHANE Age: 35 I have been a wild swimmer for the past seven years. Swimming outdoors became such an obsession that I decided to retrace Roger Deakin’s book Waterlog, which is an account of his journey Being in open water swimming through the British Isles. is about ‘now-ness' How did you first get into outdoor swimming? I’d been wanting to swim at Hampstead FARLEIGH HUNGERFORD, mixed ponds for some time, but never had the botle. My RIVER FROME, WILTSHIRE girlfriend, now wife, convinced me it’d be the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer’s day. I loved it immediately. England’s oldest surviving river What does outdoor swimming mean to you? Freedom and swimming club, founded in the 1930s, peace of mind. Wild swimming helped me clear my mind of 7 anxiety at a time I was struggling to make sense of myself. above a small weir with lawns, a diving board and rope swings. Tere’s a ruined castle There’s no beter way of being in the moment. Being in open nearby and a great riverside campsite at water is about survival and ‘now-ness’ in the purest sense. What made you take up wild swimming? Beyond that Stowford Farm just upstream, which serves first dip at Hampstead, it was the writing of Roger Deakin delicious cream teas. Tis is a wonderfully that truly inspired me to take it up full time. Waterlog is an friendly and sociable place to wild swim. incredible piece of work, imbued with a joie de vivre that I was desperate to experience for myself. It led me to retrace Roger’s entire journey, initially as a bit of fun, but then more FAERIE POOLS, GLEN BLUE POOL, FRIOG, seriously as a way to rid myself of anxiety. The book of my 8BRITTLE, ISLE OF SKYE, FAIRBOURNE journey, Floating: A Life Regained, is out in April. Favourite swim spot? SCOTLAND A very deep, green– I’ve been lucky enough to Embued with legend and blue rectangular swim all over the UK, so 9 picking one is difficult. For fairy tales, the famous ‘Allt pool in a great quarry Coir a Mhadaidh’ pools and amphitheatre entered by a every day dips, it’s hard to waterfalls are tinged with spooky railway tunnel. Views beat Hampstead mixed I consider pond. It’s a piece of the jade hues due to the volcanic of Cardigan Bay. 300m south countryside in the heart of gabbro rocks and the mystical of Fairbourne church, turn myself more London. But for something peaks of the Black Cuillin lef at telephone box and head spectacular, you can’t beat mountains tower overhead. up into the ruined mine area. of a dipper Great Popplestones Bay 57.2497, -6.2554 T6 52.6891, -4.0413 16 on Bryher in the Isles of Scilly. The water is icy, but than a swimming over the kelp forests with a snorkel on is swimmer unbeatable. What are your top three APPLETREEWICK, RIVER tips for beginners at wild WHARFE, YORKSHIRE swimming? Don’t go alone DALES if it’s your first time. Study the body of water you’re about to enter. And don’t be a hero A pretty river pool with – you don’t need to stay in for ages and could be puting a small island and rapids yourself in danger if you do. upstream. Tere’s a rope What kind of training do you do? I consider myself more of 10 swing on the far side, a dipper than a swimmer, so I don’t really train. . grassy banks and feld for What kit do you use? In summer, a pair of neoprene socks, picnics. Tis is a great spot some shorts and a pair of goggles. The later tend to be pulled off so I can scan the horizon without a foggy view. In to while away summer winter, an old surfing wetsuit, two silicon caps, boots, gloves days. 54.0332, -1.9213 and goggles. Shorts if I’m feeling brave. What would you say to someone considering geting into outdoor swimming? Be prepared and don’t feel like you have to stay in for ages. It takes a long time to build up resistance to cold water and even now I feel it afer a brief dip. And make sure you pack a flask, you can’t beat a warming brew afer a wild swim.

outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 17 OUTDOOR SWIMMING KIT You don't need a lot of kit to get started but a few choice items will help

SWIMMING HAT GOGGLES EAR PLUGS TINTED, POLARIZED OR CLEAR – THE CHOICE IS YOURS

A bright coloured swimming hat to insulate your head and Again it’s all about comfort and ﬁt – not all faces and Help protect your ears if they are susceptible to infection make you visible to other water users. Silicone is more swimming environments are the same. Open water and many swimmers say it increases cold water tolerance. comfortable than latex as and gives beter insulation. goggles tend to have a wider lens than pool goggles. There is no need to wear them if you don’t want to.

WATERPROOF SUN CREAM CHANGING ROBE COSTUME

You can still get burnt while you Comfort and ﬁt are key. Board shorts for men are swimming! will seriously hamper your swimming and are not recommended for anything except dipping.

CROCS TOWEL KEEP WARM, STAY DRY

Pre and post swim footwear helps The freedom of being an outdoor swimmer may mean that Whatever you like! We like big ﬂuﬀy ones to wrap up in navigate pebbly riverbanks your swim location doesn’t have a changing room. A changing afer a chilly swim, but lightweight travel ones are great and beaches. robe keeps you warm and dry and saves your blushes. if space or weight is an issue.

LAYERS! WhateverKIT BAG you like, Layering up is the POST SWIM KIT but consider a dry best way to warm up bag to keep your and a good woolen wet kit separate or synthetic base BOBIt doesn’tBLE have toHAT have a from the dry. layer is key (not bobble, but a woolly hat coton). On top is great to assist of the base layer with warming up add what you like: post swim. hoodies, jumpers etc. Down jackets are a popular toasty top layer.

18 Outdoor Swimmer KIT GUIDE

OUTDOOR SWIMMING KIT 1 2 3 LUBRICANT

Avoid chaﬃng from your wetsuit or swimming costume with lubricant in those likely areas – underarm, neck and edge of wetsuit etc.

NEOPRENE HAT, GLOVES AND BOOTS How to 4 5 put on a

These can all help keep out the cold and extend wetsuit your time in the water. Particularly useful in colder temperatures. Dan Bullock WETSUIT explains how to squeeze into neoprene

STAGE ONE Roll the upper body down, exposing the openings to the legs and gently push in your feet. Work on the very lowest sections to start with and do not move up the leg until the suit fully fits over the ankles, arm. Work the hands all the the join around the neck with onto the calves and up to the way through the sleeves. the Velcro once the zip has knees. been fastened and make you STAGE FOUR sensitive neck skin isn’t in STAGE TWO Once the hands are free, start contact with any rough edges If there is loose material in the the trickier process of sliding or fastenings. legs, the suit will end up tight the arm material up towards the shoulders. A small amount around the torso. It’s beter to Improper SUITS pull the suit into your crotch of bunching around the and expose your ankles rather shoulders is acceptable as this handling of a YOU than vice versa. leaves room for the arms to manoeuvre. wetsuit can easily damage STAGE THREE Once you are happy with the STAGE FIVE it, so keep fit under the crotch, ease the Avoid pulling on the cord to fingernails short lower section of the torso part close the zip as this stresses the stitching in the suit. It’s and remove A wetsuit is not essential but the buoyancy and warmth of the suit up and over your that it provides means it can be a good option for when hips. Pull the suit higher up the usually easier to ask someone jewellery you’re starting out in open water. chest and carefully insert one else to close your zip. Seal outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 19

STEP 1: ront crawl is the fastest and most INTEGRATE YOUR efcient known way for swimmers to STROKE Fmove across the surface of the water. Mastering it, however, Swimming efficient front crawl requires a high degree of takes time and efort as it coordination between the different parts of our body. However, requires a complex series of our survival instinct is to thrash at the water in an uncoordinated moves involving the whole fashion. We need to overcome our instincts in order to improve. body. If you are serious about The fastest way to improve is to reduce drag. Do this by making improving your front crawl, your entire body – from fingertips through torso to toes-as long, stable and sleek as possible. Imagine yourself switching we recommend taking advice constantly between a powerful streamline position on your lef from a coach as receiving direct side to the same thing on your right side. This only works if your and personal feedback will body moves as an integrated, coordinated unit. accelerate the learning process. Meanwhile, the following Make sure head and spine are aligned at all times. This is a guidelines written by Terry particular challenge when breathing. Keep head stable and visualise moving your head-spine line constantly forward Laughlin, founder of Total through the water – like an arrow through the air-eliminating Immersion, will get you started. side to side or vertical movements. Extend each arm forward and slightly downward along imaginary tracks in line with your shoulders. Press back in a straight line (no ‘S’-shaped pull) and relax on the recovery. Aim for symmetry between your two arms. Keep your core engaged to minimise any wobbles or lateral movements. Focus on keeping your legs in the slipstream of your upper body. Kick as litle as possible, with small relaxed movements. Drive your strokes from your core, not your arms

20 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com FREESTYLE BASICS

STEP 2: ARM RECOVERY

The ‘recovery’ in front crawl is the movement that returns the hand from where it exits the water near your hips to where it re-enters in front of your shoulder. It is ofen a neglected part of the stroke as most coaches and swimmers give exclusive focus ﬁrst on the propulsive underwater phase. Ignoring it is a mistake because it plays a critical role in maintaining a balanced, stable core body.

Relax. As the name suggests, recovery is your chance to give your arm a litle rest. Turn off all muscles from elbow down and suspend hand loosely from elbow as you bring your arm forward. A litle-known “rule” of efficient swimming is that any body part moving through the air must move in the direction of travel. Do this by (i) Striving to bring hand forward from exit to entry point by a perfectly straight line; while (ii) barely grazing the water’s surface with fingertips. Aim to have a gap between fingertips and water of 1 to 2 millimetres. Re-enter hand to the water just a bit in front of your head – avoid over- reach. Imagine cuting a slot in the surface with fingertips. Slide forearm Stay relaxed through that slot. and balanced

outdoorswimmer.com 21 Achieve a ﬁrm grip on the water

STEP 3: THE UNDERWATER PHASE

The priority here is to make every stroke count. Not by applying more force to the water but by achieving a firm ‘grip’ on the water, and striving to move your body past your hand. Afer slicing your hand through the ‘slot,’ continue on the same path forward and slightly downward until it reaches full extension. At this point, your hand should be deeper than the lowest part of your body— generally the hips. Your body should form a long, sleek, stable line from fingertips to toes. Next, ‘trap’ the water behind hand and forearm— fingertips pointing down and palm back. Press straight back--with precision rather than force--striving to hold your place, more than push water back. This allows powerful, tireless core muscle--rather than smaller, weaker arm muscles--to take on more of the work of propulsion. Drive forward with your opposite hip to create a sensation of moving your body past your hand rather than pulling hand backwards.

22 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com FREESTYLE BASICS

STEP 4: SEAMLESS BREATHING

Many people struggle to swim more than a length or two of front crawl not because they lack fitness but because of poor breathing technique. Primal survival instincts drive us to try to lif the head to avoid choking on the water. Ironically, this makes choking more likely by causing the body to sink as Mastering front crawl our heads are so heavy. Even is a long-term – but immensely more fundamental than head rewarding – journey. This article is position – and ofen as non- an overview of that process. For a instinctive – is how we move air in and out of the lungs. To complete guide, Total Immersion breathe with ease, keep air Swim with your whole offers a downloadable Effortless exchange constant. Start exhaling body – moving arms, legs Endurance Freestyle Self Coaching as soon as you have inhaled. And and head as an integrated Course. Anyone can improve. It make exhaling the primary focus of part of a whole-body doesn’t require youth, athleticism, the breath, while inhaling simply action, synchronised with ‘happens.’ Finally, avoid overfilling core body rhythms. As your or special talents – only a curious your lungs. Inhale just enough, as if right hand enters the water and open mind and a desire to you were singing. and extends forward, your lef enjoy the process. shoulder rotates out of the water. WORK ON THESE To integrate breath with body FOCAL POINTS: movement, simply let chin follow Keep head aligned with spine. This shoulder to air. is the most fundamental skill in Practise breathing to both sides. efficient front crawl swimming. Your This doesn’t need to be every three head should feel cushioned by the strokes as in traditional bilateral water. Visualise head-spine line as a breathing but could, instead, mean ‘laser’ projecting forward at all times, breathing one length to right, next even when you breathe. length to lef. outdoorswimmer.com 23 BETTER BREA STSTROKE

Follow our nine steps to an eﬃcient breaststroke technique you can be proud of

reaststroke is the world’s most popular nor difcult to practise so will be fun to try stroke, primarily because it’s closest of whatever your level. And, if you’re a beginner, all the strokes to how humans swim this is a great place to start thinking about instinctively. It’s also a great stroke swimming breaststroke. Bfor swimming outside, especially if you want to observe nature and your surroundings, as Four fundamentals it disturbs the water much less than the other strokes. Even if you plan to mostly swim front OVER-AND-UNDER BREASTSTROKE crawl, it’s worth practising breaststroke too as 1(like butterfy) is a ‘wave-form stroke’ in it gives you a chance to work diferent muscles which we travel forward – a bit like a mythical and appreciate the water in a diferent way. sea monster – by surfacing to breathe and However, many people swim breaststroke submerging to streamline. But because you EXPERT ADVICE very inefciently and waste a lot of energy. travel much farther and faster underwater Terry In this article, Terry Laughlin from Total – and spend that time in a restful glide Laughlin is Immersion explains a markedly more efcient – strive to spend as much of each stroke cycle founder and head coach way of swimming breaststroke. Te starting as possible in streamline below the surface. of Total point for this technique is to understand how Minimise time in non-streamlined, above- Immersion and winner elites swim breaststroke faster than you swim surface positions. of six national masters ‘HUG’ THE SURFACE championships since turning 55. freestyle – but this doesn’t mean you need to . Wave forms have two totalimmersion.co.uk aspire to be a world-class breaststroker to learn 2properties: wave amplitude and wave length. from them. Te ideas are neither complicated When you compress amplitude you increase

24 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com BREASTSTROKE BASICS BREA STSTROKE

CRITICAL MOMENTS Each cycle of breaststroke has several critical ‘moments’ during which you can greatly increase length, i.e. travel farther and faster in each 5 eﬃciency by performing several ‘mini-skills.’ Each stroke cycle. Do this by ‘hugging’ the surface moment lasts just a fraction of a second: you’ll need – swimming barely above and barely below. strong and targeted focus to acquire the critical skills. To learn each, swim repeats of 25 metres or How you breathe is key to achieving this, as I less with laser-like focus on just one thing. explain below. KEEP HEAD ALIGNED. Along with 3submerging in each stroke and hugging the surface, a critical skill in maximising forward MOMENT #1: motion – and energy or momentum – is to keep your head aligned with your spine during and afer breathing. Lifing and lowering the STREAMLINE chin increases up-and-down movement in the body. Breathe as if wearing a neck brace. This is the most critical, but easiest, skill. Spend 60 per cent or more of each stroke cycle in streamline below TAKE SMALLER STROKES. As humans the surface by doing the following: 4(not fsh) we’re simply fantastic at burning Get everything beneath the surface; leaving even a energy and creating drag with our pull and sliver of your head above the surface will slow you kick. Unfortunately we are not so good at down. creating propulsion. You absolutely cannot go But don’t dive. Slip barely beneath the water. While in wrong by making your pull and kick smaller. streamline: (i) release head between arms with eyes down; and (ii) streamline feet behind lower leg.

outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 25 BREASTSTROKE BASICS MOMENT #2: CATCH THE WAVE Don’t ‘climb’ back to the surface. Momentum and buoyancy will take you there naturally. Experience this by taking a single stroke – or complete a series of strokes – by holding your sub-surface glide. Feel yourself glide naturally to the surface. Repeat until you’re keenly aware of the moment when your head would break the surface on its own, with no help from your hands.

MOMENT #3: ‘MINI-PULL’ A small, quick, and light hand scull coordinated with the natural forces of momentum and buoyancy maximises propulsive power while minimising muscular effort. Focus on the following: MOMENT #4: ‘HELP’ WITH HANDS. Feel the moment just before your head KICK HANDS FORWARD. Use this as breaks through the surface. At MINI-KICK a cue for stroke timing. Use feet to this moment, use your hands Nearly everyone tries to kick too big kick your hands – and your entire body – lightly and briefly – to ‘help’ and too powerfully, wasting energy and – back to streamline. your head break through in the increasing drag while doing litle for SMALLEST POSSIBLE. A smaller kick direction it’s already going. propulsion. A smaller, lighter and more will create more thrust and less drag. STAY ALIGNED. Your head is precisely directed kick will create far more Strive for the least knee-flexion and moving in the ideal direction to thrust with far less effort than a higher- heel-separation as you ‘cock’ your allow an effortless breath with powered kick. feet for the kick. It’s easy to make this no chin-lif. Keeping head in-line movement too big, nearly impossible to will greatly increase power. make it too small. GRAZE THE SURFACE. Graze Focus on the following: EASY DOES IT. Push back lightly against the surface with your chin as you the water, while maximising backward breathe. And keep your gaze on SNEAK YOUR LEGS. Avoid creating pressure. Avoid kicking out, down or the surface at a spot just two drag by ‘sneaking’ your legs into kicking in. A lighter, more directed, thrust will inches in front of your nose. position. Keep them hidden behind your move you forward more – and move Make your breath ‘sneaky’ – as if torso as you draw them forward. the water around less.

MOMENT #5: Breaststroke creates a large bow wave. from above the surface to below – and Do your best to minimise it while stroking between your shoulders – by extending and breathing. Then return underwater by it forward into streamline. Moving it ‘spearing’ through your bow wave. Here’s forward, rather than down, will add PIERCE how: signiﬁcantly to forward momentum. BARELY BELOW. Get your head – and all THE WATER THREAD THE NEEDLE. Align arms, body parts – barely beneath the surface. head and shoulders to ‘dart’ through the Have someone watch to ensure that you smallest possible hole in your bow wave. ‘disappear’ below the surface during EXTEND YOUR HEAD. Return your head glide – and that your body is aligned,

26 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com THRILL TO THE CHILL

28 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com COLDWATER SWIMMING Images: Cold Water Vermont

John Coningham-Rolls, vice president of the International Winter Swimming Association, explains the joys of cold water swimming

hen autumn and winter are just winter, the overwhelming response was because around the corner and outside it is such fun. As one member explained: “In water temperatures creep winter, swimming is my favourite social activity. downwards, the local pool’s Everyone is always laughing! Te speedy getting balmyW water and heated changing rooms become ready, the knowledge that what you’re doing is ever more tempting. slightly barking, the actual getting-in bit, then So why do some of us continue to plunge the exhilaration of being truly awake, followed into our favourite swim spots throughout the by the wonderful aferglow – you can’t beat it.” cold season? Aside from the famous ‘feel-good Another says: “Te high stays with you for factor’, usually verifed with great gusto by the whole day – it’s great to know you’ve had every cold water swimmer you meet (honestly, an outdoor adventure before breakfast, when if you haven’t tried it, do – you’ll see what we everyone else around you is missing out and mean), research in 1998 by Dr T Grune at the hiding from the elements.” Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Despite the laughs, safety is paramount, and Humboldt University, Germany, also suggests the key point to remember is to never swim that consistent and short immersions in cold alone. Tis being the case, it is a great delight to water may help our immune system. see a growing number of clubs and groups across When we asked members at South London the UK springing into action and embracing the Swimming Club why they swim throughout the idea of winter swimming, making it feasible for more people to participate. Joining a group, or continuing to swim into winter with your current IN WINTER, club, is the best way to approach a winter season of swimming, as this will help you overcome SWIMMING IS initial obstacles such as seeking permissions and MY FAVOURITE checking out weather conditions, as most groups SOCIAL ACTIVITY. already do this for you. Many swimmers ask me if they need to put EVERYONE IS on weight to swim through winter. Although I ALWAYS LAUGHING! always like to point out that thin penguins are few and far between (which I fnd a comforting ➜ outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 29 Images: Laure Latham, Ram Barkai

➜ mantra), the short answer is no. People of all uncommon to fnd that a swim which seemed shapes and sizes enjoy winter swimming but it comfortable one week suddenly seems icy cold does seem to be true that a little padding can the next, especially as we move into October. help some people stay in the water longer. Consequently, you should be mindful of air and Tere are, however, some basic safeguards you water temperatures as we move towards winter need to be aware of. First, be aware of your limits and reduce your swim times and distances and don’t stay in the water for too long: even accordingly. a minute or two is long enough at frst. Take Roughly speaking, we experience advice from those who are more experienced temperatures of between 15 and 20 degrees than you, and if you’re not sure, always do less Celsius in the seas and larger inland waters rather than more. With winter swimming, little around the UK in summer (colder further but ofen allows the body to acclimatise to the north) and, with a bit of training, most shock of cold water, and will help avoid the onset people can swim for an hour or more at these of serious hypothermia. temperatures. In spring and autumn, we might It is also vital to ensure that you have sufcient warm clothing to change into afer your swim. When you come out of the water you will soon learn about your short ‘honeymoon IT IS AT THESE period’ – a few minutes in which you will be TEMPERATURES able to change before you start to feel extremely WHERE YOU below 5 degrees is described as an ‘Ice Mile’ cold. Get changed quickly, from head to toe, but and is a signifcant (and potentially dangerous) leave your swim hat on until the very last REALLY START TO challenge that should only be attempted by minute, fnally replacing it with EXPERIENCE THE experienced swimmers under close supervision. a woolly hat to keep the BUZZ OF WINTER Quick dips are the order of the day for the heat in. If you’re majority of us. struggling, don’t When it comes to swimming attire, whether be shy; ask for have water temperatures between 10 and 15 you opt for a wetsuit or not, a swim cap is vital help from fellow degrees. Experienced swimmers can still sustain to help keep the heat in. To mitigate the cold you swimmers. long distance swims in these waters but most may also want to consider wearing two swim Below 5 degrees people start to fnd this a bit cold, especially hats, or a neoprene cap, plus ear plugs, gloves is the temperature towards the lower end. Between 5 and 10 and booties. Many die-hard winter swimming people refer to as degrees will be painfully cold for most people – enthusiasts will insist that for the best experience ‘ice swimming’ especially when you frst get in the water – but you should face the elements with a just In recent years it is also at these temperatures where you really swimsuit and hat, and you may fnd that many our September and start to experience the buzz of winter swimming. winter swimming competitions do enforce strict October weather in the Below 5 degrees is the temperature people clothing rules. However, please don’t let that put UK has been relatively refer to as ‘ice swimming’. At this temperature you of winter swimming for fun. If you want to mild, which has eased my hands sting and I get the ‘ice-cream head’ swim in a wetsuit, do. If you want to wear gloves the transition to winter. syndrome – a similar feeling to gobbling an and boots, do. Just get out there and enjoy the Tat being said, it’s not ice-cream too quickly. Swimming a mile in water water.

30 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com COLDWATER SWIMMING

VIVIENNE RICKMAN-POOLE Age: 43 than the temperature), depth, to be enveloped in the Swim Highlights: The real highlight of swimming silky sofness. It also means time alone, which I value for me is the change in our seasons, I like to immensely, yet it can equally mean a quite joyous feel the temperatures fall and rise on my skin. time with others. The two experiences are very It’s not something that can be measured on a different. I like both. thermometer, it’s deep, pure and internal. What made you take up wild swimming? I am not How did you first get into outdoor swimming? sure I have ever taken it up, it’s just something I have My mum was a swimmer, a hardy soul from the always done. It is just ‘swimming’ afer all. I have It gives me time and Orkney Islands from a time where swimming only swum more outside since moving to Snowdonia 15 space to refocus happened outside in the sea or harbour pools. years ago. Who wouldn’t want to swim outside when She ensured I was swimming as soon as I was old you live right next to hundreds of beautiful lakes? enough to go in the water. Childhood photos and Favourite swim spot? Llyn du’r Arddu, situated memories are of swimming in streams, rivers, gravel on the flanks of Snowdon. It’s a bit of a walk up to pits and the sea where I grew up in the New Forest. it from the village where I live, so not somewhere What does outdoor swimming mean to you? I visit everyday. It’s location, blue azure water, and It has many meanings, but I would say that most connection to the local area through its many tales of all it gives me time and space to refocus my of love and loss make it an awe-inspiring place. creativity, to give clarity of thought, to explore the What is your top tip for beginners to wild vast nothingness under the surface. It feeds physical swimming? Read a weather forecast and be aware cravings for warmth (this is metaphorical rather of the effects the weather has on bodies of water. outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 31 TAKE THE PLUNGE WITH A SWIMMING HOLIDAY

The growing range of swimming holiday options includes guided tours, training camps and events – and there are lots of great resources to support a DIY trip. By Jonathan Knot

here is an increasing array of options to eight days. Island-hopping holidays in the for making swimming the focus of a Mediterranean remain popular. But Murie says well-deserved break. But what exactly that there is also increasing interest in more is a swimming holidazy, and how do challenging and exotic trips. SwimTrek now Tyou choose the right one? We’ve set out the key ofers adventurous tours like a trip through the options below. Outer Hebrides based on an old-style square- rigged ship, as well as “dream destinations” Guided swimming tours including the Galapagos Islands and the On a guided swimming tour, a specialist Maldives. company leads guests through a series of open And there are now a number of other water swims based in a particular part of the companies ofering swimming tours – each world. with a diferent twist. Some focus on a Te frst company to do this was SwimTrek, particular geographic area – like the Big Blue who kicked of with a Swim (Greece), Gone week-long trip to the Greek Swimming (Wales), or Cyclades islands in 2003. Real Swim Adventures Founder and director EACH COMPANY (New Zealand). And each Simon Murie says that a HAS ITS OWN company has its own tour company can take care PERSONALITY personality and approach. of potentially headache- Gone Swimming’s trips inducing logistics, such AND APPROACH have fexible itineraries, as arranging safety boat decided as a group each support and gaining any necessary permissions morning. On SwimQuest’s trip to Arisaig in from the relevant authorities. “We give people Scotland you can stay in a house with a grand the opportunity to swim in locations that aren’t piano and a games room, while on a Strel that straightforward to swim in if you’re just Swimming Adventures holiday you could be doing it by yourself,” he explains. accompanied by the celebrated long distance Opportunities for swimming tours have swimmer, Martin Strel. grown considerably since then. SwimTrek Swimming tours typically include now runs tours in more than 30 diferent accommodation and some meals in the price, destinations around the world, lasting from one but not travel to and from the destination. ➜

32 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com SWIMMING HOLIDAYS

Images: SwimQuest

outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer 33 Images: Kate Rew SWIMMING HOLIDAYS

that this is a great option for family holidays with her husband and two young sons. The family recently swam its way around Iceland (when her sons were two and three), dipping into 17 hot pots and pools in 10 days, and has also made trips to Wales and Scotland. Rew says that having a concrete goal helps a trip transcend the day-to-day chores that travelling with children entails. “For me having that structure to a trip, that mission, whether it's to swim every day of a trip away or to swim in as many tarns as possible, is what elevates a trip from a holiday to an adventure,” she says. There are a number of good printed and digital sources of information and ideas that can support planning a wild swimming holiday. Printed guide books include as Rew’s Wild Swim (UK) and guides to the UK, France, Spain and Italy and Sydney, Australia, from Wild Things Publishing. There are a growing number of digital Kate Rew's DIY resources, too. The crowdsourced OSS map adventure in Iceland at wildswim.com lists many swimming spots within the UK and abroad, and there is a new function for people to add 'collections' of swims – “like Spotify for swimming”, ➜ Prices range from around £100 to almost Wellness retreats says Rew. And Wild Things Publishing £3000, depending on the destination and length and multi-activity holidays provides some of its books as apps. “People of the trip. Some breaks and retreats offer a more find the apps very helpful as they provide gentle approach to outdoor swimming. a big Google Map for planning and linking Swimming events Trips combining yoga and wild swimming places together, plus you don't need to carry Tere are a growing number of organised are common. The Zest Life runs two- the books,” says the company’s co-director swimming events in the UK and further afeld. day wild swimming and yoga retreats in Daniel Start. Tese range from warm water events like the Anglesey, Wales. Gone Swimming’s ‘Pleasure Start recommends Dartmoor, the Brecon Barbados Open Water Festival, a fve-day of Adventure’ holidays combine outdoor Beacons, Snowdonia, the Yorkshire Dales, celebration of open water swimming, in the swimming with yoga or stand-up paddle and the Lake District as areas with lots of Caribbean, to those in colder temperatures, such boarding (SUP), and Art of Swimming runs good swimming day trips. And while he as the Big Chill Swim in England's Lake District workshops and courses teaching the Shaw believes that wild camping is a great way and the biennial World Winter Swimming Method technique at Champneys spa resorts. to enjoy the “ultimate magic” of a dawn or Championships (in Tallin, Estonia in 2018). For a more active multi-activity option, dusk swim, this is only legal in Scotland Whether they are travelling abroad or staying and Dartmoor. So his advice is to “be in the UK for an event, many participants sensitive – arrive late, leave early, and leave choose to make a holiday of it – something that no trace.” organisers also ofen encourage. SOME BREAKS AND RETREATS How good do I have to be? Training camps If you aren’t a speed demon in the water, and coaching trips OFFER A MORE it shouldn’t hold you back. On guided If you want to improve your swimming, a GENTLE APPROACH swimming tours, it’s common for guests to coaching-focused trip could be for you. Some TO OUTDOOR be split into groups based on speeds. And coaching companies run residential open water some holidays, like SwimTrek’s trip to the training camps. Total Immersion Swimming SWIMMING Dalmatian islands in Croatia, are designed runs these in places ranging from Hawaii to to involve shorter swim distances. A lack Maritius, and Ocean Walker holds a range Swimrun, a sport that began in Sweden of open water experience isn’t a barrier within the UK and overseas. SwimQuest and involving alternating runs and open water either. SwimQuest says that about a third of SwimTrek also each run coaching trips in the swims, is now growing in popularity in the its guests in 2016 had never swum in open Balearic Islands for a range of abilities. Simon UK. Race locations include the Isles of Scilly, water before. Murie says that SwimTrek’s coaching week Wales and Scotland. If you have any questions, holiday for beginners in Mallorca, involving pool and companies and event organisers should be open water swimming, is a good frst foray for DIY swimming holidays able to provide more information. With such newcomers. “Some people use that as a frst Of course, there’s always the option of a wide range on offer in terms of budget, step to coming on a further trip when they feel planning your own trip. Kate Rew, founder of location and level of challenge, the chances more comfortable,” he says. the Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS), finds are there will be something to suit you.

34 Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com