This week we have been thinking about community. Around the world, groups of swimmers meet on river banks, lake shores and beaches. Long distance swimmers and wild dippers are joined together by their love of the water. Even though Outdoor Swimmer magazine has always been created remotely, our team are joined together by our love of open water swimming. Our readers tell us the same thing – community is an essential part of the experience of swimming outdoors.

A subscription to Outdoor Swimmer magazine is so much more than receiving a magazine every month. As a subscriber you become part of our global swimming community – with a special fabric badge to sew on your kit. You will receive invitations to our subscriber evenings with swimming experts and adventurers. Subscribers not only save up to 20% on the cover price, but also access exclusive discounts and offers from your favourite swim brands and event companies. Oh, and did we mention you get a beautiful magazine full of swimming inspiration delivered to your door every month as well as free access to the latest digital edition! Subscribe today and start your subscription with the new Rivers issue, designed to inspire, enhance or reignite your love of rivers.

“I love Outdoor Swimmer and your commitment so much: now I live swimming very differently than before, with an inner peace and awareness, thanks to your magazine!”

“Reading Outdoor Swimmer magazine reminds me how joyful, alive and fluid I feel in the ocean. I can be in the warmth of my house and the sense of freedom, immersion in nature and oneness with the elements is brought back to me by reading one of your articles.” 

“As a newbie to both open water swimming and your magazine, I just wanted to say I love both so far!”

“Outdoor Swimmer magazine is keeping me motivated in the water. I feel so confident.”

What's in the new Rivers issue?

• Check out the piece from The Rivers Trust about how we can help care for our waterways 
• Learn about Yvette Tetteh’s epic 450km swim down the Volta river system in Ghana
• Unsure on how best to swim in rivers? Head to our training pages
• We meet Patrick Barkham who has written a biography about wild swimmer and Waterlog author Roger Deakin 
• Find out how you can stay at Roger Deakin’s Walnut Tree Farm and swim in the moat!
• Learn how to take your time and enjoy slow travel
• On test: men's trunks 
• Plus all the regulars, including health news, outdoor swimming news, training, swim locations, technique, travel, event listings, gear news and kit reviews.

Until next time...

As well as subscribing or buying a copy of the magazine, you can connect with our community by checking out outdoorswimmer.com and following us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. We love to hear your swimming stories, so if you have a story to share please get in touch.

Jonathan Cowie, Contributing Editor