Why do you swim? In the new issue of Outdoor Swimmer magazine we meet cold water swimmers to explore the reasons we take to the water. Ever fancied being a swimming postie? In our monthly history feature by award winning writer Elaine Howley we look at the Tin Can mail – a swimming postal service! And Ella Foote meets film maker Cat White whose new film Fifty-Four Days follows a girl who discovers outdoor swimming when grieving.

Elsewhere in the the new issue we meet environmental campaigner Angela Jones. One of the reasons we all swim is to be close to nature, but could our hobby be damaging the waterways we love? Angela explains how wild swimmers may be inadvertently damaging delicate eco-systems and how some simple actions can stop us adding to the pollution of our waters.

In the Coach section this month, Olympic open water medallist Cassie Patten explains how to plan marathon swim feeding, Dan Bullock serves up pool training sessions that replicate the open water, we look at how online coaching can help your stroke, and Rowan Clarke finds out how to get cold fix all year round with a homemade ice bath!

Here's a taster of what else you can find in the issue:

• Wetsuit Hire: the advantages of not buying a wetsuit
• Meditation: An easy practice for beginners
• Gear: Pool training tech on test
• Events: Comprehensive UK and international race listings

Columnists

• Sarah Thomas: Those who don’t jump will never fly
• Joe Minihane: The power of the light
• Alice Goodridge: Returning to the river
• Caroline Saxon: Does poor preparation lead to poor performance?
• Simon Griffiths: Outdoor swimming and disability
• Jonathan Cowie: Swimming in circles
• Simon Murie: Training for distance
• Pete Kelly: Another turn around the sun

Plus!

• Travel: The best of the Balearics
• Eco Pages: Frogs, underwater photos and kelp restoration
• Event reviews: Ice swimming championships
• Open water news round-up
• Swimming Around… Oxford
• Swim Life: Your letters, poems and photos