Spring is my favourite time of the year, it is an opportunity for new beginnings and this year as the daffodils bloom on the riverbank where I swim, I have my own new beginning. It is a huge honour to take over as Editor of Outdoor Swimmer. I am excited to start but I am also full of fear about following in the wet footprints of Jonathan Cowie. I have loved working with him for many years and admire what he has done with the magazine. My ambition is to continue to deliver a much-loved magazine, but also explore fresh ideas and perhaps a new look too!

Until then, let’s look at this month’s issue. As well as our popular regular contributors, we meet independent swimwear brands Sei Sorelle and Pretty Sassy Lady to learn more about modest swimwear and hear from our fantastic cover star Aysha Sharif. Elaine K Howley dips into history to tell us about a pioneer marathon swimmer Pauline Jackson and Liz Lowe reminds us how important it is to take better breaths. In this month’s Gear we look at watches, Rowan Clarke reconnects with the cold-water community at the Scottish Winter Swimming Championships and if you fancy a trip to Scotland yourself, check out Stacey McGowan Holloway’s guide to Scottish beaches.

I hope you enjoy the issue! 

Ella Foote, Editor

Here's a taster of what you can find inside:

On the cover

• Modest Swimwear – The women putting the sass and style into modest swimwear

• Open Water Racing and Race – Pioneer marathon swimmer Pauline Jackson
• Hampton 100 – Hampton Pool celebrates its centenary

• You Ask, We Answer – Cassie Patten explains drills
• Pool Page – A challenging training session from Dan Bullock of Swim For Tri
• You Do the Math – What story does your training data tell?
• Breathing Space – Simple exercises for better breathing
• Wetsuit Sustainability – Can brands do what's right for the customer and the planet?
• Training Tech – Sports watches on test

Explore

• Fin-tastic Finland – Wellness and sauna retreat
• The Beaches of Scotland – Top picks for wild swimming
• Swimming Around... South Devon

Columnists

• Simon Griffiths – Swimming in peace and friendship
• Sarah Thomas – Reclaiming the balance
• Alice Goodridge – Wild west coast
• Joe Minihane – The calm after the storm
• Caroline Saxon – What have I learned this winter?
• Simon Murie – The birth of swim tourism
• Jonathan Cowie – Another country
• Pete Kelly – Tales from up north

Plus!

• Eco Pages – Cushion stars and shark eggcases
• UK and international event listings and reviews
• Your letters, stories and photos