How do I feel less heavy in the water? | How the cost of living is impacting your swimming

How do I feel less heavy in the water? | How the cost of living is impacting your swimming | Freediving photography

Published: Sat, 04/15/23

YOUR ESSENTIAL WEEKLY EDIT OF OUTDOOR SWIMMING

#swimwildandfree

Dear fellow swimmers,

The cost of living crisis continues to impact swimming. Earlier this year, we reported in our annual Trends in Outdoor Swimming update that around a third of swimmers had made changes to their swimming habits or plans to save money. This week, we saw research from pool operator Better Leisure that says 37% of the UK have stopped swimming regularly due to the cost of living. This is bad news for both pool operators, and for the millions of people missing out on the benefits of swimming.

We also know from our survey that some of you feel the cost of Outdoor Swimmer, at £6.95 per month, is unaffordable in the current economic climate. Unfortunately, a large part of that is driven by print, paper and postage costs, which have all gone up, while we have held our cover price. We have therefore created Outdoor Swimmer EXTRA to enable you to read the award-winning content from the magazine on our website. This is available for the first 100 people who sign up for £2.99 per month, increasing to £3.99 thereafter.

In other good news for swimmers, we’re delighted to see that four new sites in England will become dedicated bathing waters this summer (although we’d have liked to have seen many more) and the Lyme Splash Water Polo Sea Championship is back.

Scroll down too to read the stories behind our otherworldly ‘Underwater’ cover and to enter our competition to win an Orca Zeal Hi-Vis wetsuit.

Swim Wild and Free

Simon Griffiths
Founder & Publisher

P.S. Do you have any questions you would like to answer in our “Back to Basics” section in the magazine? We’ve recently looked at what swimmers wear on their feet and what they carry in tow floats. Send your questions to info@outdoorswimmer.com.

FEATURE

THE STORY BEHIND OUR ‘UNDERWATER’ COVER WITH LEXI LAINE

Ethereal, peaceful and otherworldly – freediving photographer Lexi Laine shares the stories behind our April cover.

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NEWS

A THIRD OF BRITS HAVE STOPPED SWIMMING BECAUSE OF THE COST OF LIVING

A new study has revealed that 37% of the UK have stopped swimming regularly due to the cost of living. This is despite findings that nine in 10 Brits feel positive benefits being in or near water

READ MORE →

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OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

HOW DO I FEEL LESS ‘HEAVY’ IN THE WATER?

Swimming coach Cassie Patten answers a reader question about heaviness in the water, and improving stamina for an upcoming swimming event.

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NEWS

THE LYME SPLASH 2023 WATER POLO SEA CHAMPIONSHIP IS BACK!

The Lyme Splash is now fully supported with both events – the Water Polo Sea Championship and the Lyme Regis to Charmouth Challenge Sea Swim – returning for 2023.

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NEWS

FOUR NEW BATHING SITES FOR OUTDOOR SWIMMERS IN ENGLAND

Four outdoor swimming spots in England will become designated bathing water sites in time for the start of the bathing season in May.

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April 2023 – UNDERWATER | Read it on digital or in print from anywhere in the world. Purchase a single issue or subscribe to a monthly magazine and save up 20% each month.

OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA
THE COLOUR OF COLD: SWIMMING IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

With water temperatures averaging 13 degrees Celsius and air temperatures seldom above 32 degrees, Cape Town, South Africa, is a playground for open water swimmers. Capetonian and marathon swimmer Sam Whelpton shares her experience of swimming off the southern tip of Africa with her partner, extreme swimmer Ram Barkai.

NEWS
JOIN IN THE BIG MIDWIFE DIP TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE MIDWIFE ON 5 MAY

A group of maternity staff from East Kent are having a celebratory dip on 5 May, the International Day of the Midwife. Here’s how you can join in.

COACH
MOVE OF THE MONTH: KETTLEBELL SWING

This full body exercise works muscles in both the upper and lower body as well as the core. Vivienne Rickman is your guide to the kettlebell swing.

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COMPETITIONS

COMPETITION
WIN AN ORCA ZEAL HI-VIS WETSUIT!

Boost your confidence as you launch into open water swimming! The new Orca Zeal Hi-Vis wetsuit offers the perfect combination of buoyancy, elasticity, visibility and thermal insulation, for complete confidence in the water.

The magazine for outdoor swimmers by outdoor swimmers.

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