Dear fellow swimmers

Should we ignore people who write spiteful and misleading things about outdoor swimming? Responding gives the trolls the clicks they feed on and it validates the author’s work due to the creaky logic of traffic and engagement. But ignoring their nonsense is harmful too. If the mainstream narrative of outdoor swimming is that it’s dirty and dangerous – and that swimmers are deranged – then thousands of would-be swimmers will be put off and miss out on something magical.

I therefore felt compelled to respond to Eva Wiseman’s article in the Guardian last weekend. I doubt she will read it and I don’t care; it won’t change her mind. But if it encourages one person to try outdoor swimming who might otherwise have been discouraged, then it was worth writing. We expect one of your well-meaning friends sent you the link to Eva’s original article – why not send this back?

Also in this week’s newsletter: meet a 1000+ community of empowered swimming mamas; explore the joys of night swimming; and examine the benefits of nose breathing when swimming breaststroke.

In other news, Ella (our current editor) and Jonathan (our previous editor) went to Ice Swim in Morocco, an International Ice Swimming Association event. They both won medals and we’re super proud of them, as it’s important to us as a team to be active in the outdoor swimming community. I was also racing last weekend, but in a warm indoor pool in Crawley – also fun, but not nearly as adventurous.

Finally, we’re delighted to launch our February issue, which explore the theme of 'CHALLENGE' in all its nuances with stories of the first blind woman attempting to swim the Channel, Jasmine Harrison's pioneering full length of the UK swim, an investigation into how how open water challenges shape outdoor swimming and a remarkable new challenge comprising five 5km swims aimed at swimmers with disabilities called the Para V. 
 

Warm wishes

Simon Griffiths

Founder & Publisher

P.S. I recently received this message from a subscriber, which made my day: “Please be aware that you, your staff and magazine are keeping me motivated in the water. I feel so confident.” Can we make you feel the same way? Read more about the benefits of subscribing.