THE DIP | How to keep swimming through the winter | Our go-to gear | No pool? No problem. How to maintain your fitness

Published: Sat, 09/30/23

Your weekly edit from

Dear fellow swimmers,

If you follow any of our editorial team on social media, you might be mistaken for thinking we're not all that keen on cold water swimming, as Publisher Simon and Editor Ella enjoy one last dip abroad before returning to our brisker waters here in the UK. Simon is taking part in the UltraSwim 33.3 in Montenegro – you can see some incredible photos of the first day of this brand new swimming event here – while Ella is touring the tidal pools, hot springs and emerald green lakes of the Azores.

Meanwhile, as the new Gear Editor on Outdoor Swimmer, I've been putting neoprene accessories to the test in my local lake for a future issue, and adding our round up of the best warm boots for swimmers to our website – read it here! I've also been thinking about the kit we simply couldn't be without from thermal swimsuits and tiny-but-tough dry bags to Ella's ever-so-slightly creepy FiveFinger swim shoes. We would love to hear about your go-to gear – share your photos and stories by tagging @outdoorswimmer on Instagram or using our hashtag #swimwildandfree.

GEAR

Outdoor swimming kit we simply couldn't be without

The Outdoor Swimmer team share their ‘go to’ gear – clothing and accessories that are never far from our kit bags.

COLD WATER SWIMMING

Three reasons why you should keep swimming through winter...

...and how to do it! With temperatures creeping downwards, indoor pools become ever more tempting, so why do many of us continue to dip in open water?

OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

How to maintain swim fitness without pool training

No pool? No problem. Here's how you can maintain your swim fitness with some dry land training, including running, HIIT and pilates. (Premium content).

STAY INFORMED & SWIM RESPONSIBLY

INTERVIEW

Watch our Q&A with English Channel swimmer and adaptive athlete Sophie Etheridge, who completed the longest ever one-way solo English Channel swim.

Watch the Q&A

NEWS

This Sun 1 Oct Weston Marine Lake celebrates the 75th birthday of the NHS, followed by a ‘Why Women Swim’ conversation on 8 Oct, hosted by Ella Foote.

EVENT REVIEW

Readers Pim Kalisvaart and Nicky Rough share their experience of swimming Dock2Dock, a London event that offers open water swims from 1.5km to 15km.

GEAR

Insulating, easy to slip on and grippy on muddy riverbanks: keep your feet toasty in our pick of the best warm boots for outdoor swimmers.

EXPLORE

The most obvious appeal for swimmers in Zürich is the lake: 40kms long and just 3kms at its widest point, it is a stunning stretch of clean, cool water with free access to swim...

EVENTS

Today marked the 1st day of UltraSwim33.3, a new swimming event that has attracted 120 athletes from 23 countries to the picturesque shores of Montenegro.

OCTOBER 2023 - BACK TO POOL

Expand your swimming horizons and achieve your swimming dreams. Read Outdoor Swimmer on digital or in print from anywhere in the world. Purchase a single issue or subscribe to a monthly magazine and save up to 20% each month.

(sponsored content)

OCTOBER

PROM'SWIM (500m, 1km, 2km, 5km, 10km)

7 October | Nice, France
Find out more...

GREAT BARRIER REEF OCEAN SWIM SERIES (1km, 3km, 5km)

21 October | Port Douglas, North Queensland
Find out more...

COOL MILE, TAL Y LLYN (1 mile)
28 October | Gwynedd, North Wales
Find out more...

Find an event on our website . To promote your event here, please email stuart@outdoorswimmer.com .

WIN GREAT PRIZES

Win items from the new Speedo X Folk collection

Speedo are celebrating their autumn collaboration with Folk by offering you the chance to win products from the new range.

Enter to win...

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

We hope you are all enjoying our latest October 'Back to Pool' issue, in which we celebrate swimming pools – from natural garden pools and the importance of supporting your local lido to the curious history of chlorine. The issue also comes with a super Outdoor Swimmer Training Guide 2023, with tips from marathon swimmer Hector Pardoe, advice on finding the right swimming coach and a guide to creating your own winter training plan. If you haven't got a copy yet, please consider subscribing or ordering a copy here.

Happy swimming!

Jo Tinsley
Gear Editor

Main photo: UltraSwim 33.3, Lloyd Images

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Mead Road
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UNITED KINGDOM

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