Dear fellow swimmers

After a hectic July, I’m taking a couple of weekends off from swimming and swimrun events. I’m enjoying having more time to enjoy some relaxed open water swimming rather than training or racing (although I do have FOMO for the Thames Marathon this weekend). This week, for example, I met up with Will Watt, one of the creators of RuckRaft, and we swam a 1km lap of Tagg’s Island, a residential island on the Thames near Hampton Court. He swam with his son, we took our time and lots of pictures. It all seemed very fitting with the ‘play’ theme of the August issue of Outdoor Swimmer, which I hope you’ve all read. If not, then it’s all available on Outdoor Swimmer Extra for just £3.99 per month and as a taster you can read my column on restoring playfulness to your swimming for free. 

GEAR

Pants vs shorts

Do you favour quick-drying, performance-focused trunks and jammers or the modest coverage of shorts? Jonathan Cowie and Joe Minihane weigh up the pros and cons.  

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EVENTS

Best prescription goggles

Simon Griffiths has your guide to the latest prescription goggles on the market, plus expert optometrist advice on how to make the right choice for you.

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OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

What’s the cause of my hip pain?

Swimming coach Cassie Patten troubleshoots a reader’s hip pain, and shares some tips for preventing further discomfort. (Premium content). 

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Join the Aspire Relay Channel swim team
 

We are looking for individuals to join Aspire Relay Channel swim teams and take on the 22-mile swim in 2024. At Aspire, we are as passionate about swimming as you are and will be with you all the way, from sign up to feeling the sand between your toes on a French beach. Dive in and help support people paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury. 

For further details email our event co-ordinator, Andrew. 
 

STAY INFORMED & SWIM RESPONSIBLY

AUGUST 2023 - PLAY

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. 

GET EVENT READY

Dive into the ultimate open water swimming experience at the Swim Wales Challenge Series! 

 

Whether you are a seasoned swimmer or just at the start of your journey, join us at the breathtaking Llys Y Fran reservoir on Saturday 16th September!

With a range of distances, including 500m, 1.5km, 3km, and the thrilling 4x500m Team Relay, there’s something for everyone. The event incorporates the Swim Wales Open Water Championships and GB Masters Open Water events, before our range of participation swims.

Sign up now and get 20% off a relay entry!
 

EVENTS COMING SOON 

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AUGUST

THAMES MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON (5.5km, 13km)
13 August 2023 | Marlow
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GO SWIM LOCH TAY (250m, 750m, 1.5km, 3km, 5km, 10km)
19 August 2023 | Kenmore, Aberfeldy
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BEAT THE TIDE 4K (4km)

19 August 2023 | Aberdovey
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THE DYFI (13km)
20 August 2023 | Aberdovey
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SEPTEMBER

GO SWIM LOCH LOMOND (250m, 750m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 10000m)
2 September | Loch Lomond, Balloch
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GAELFORCE GREAT FJORD SWIM (750m, 2km, 3.9km)
9 September | Connemara, Ireland
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THE BIG BRUTAL SWIM (2.5k, 5k and 10k)
10 September | Llanberis, North Wales
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SWIM WALES CHALLENGE SERIES (500m, 1.5km, 3km, 4x500m relay)
16 September | Llys-y-Frân, Pembrokeshire
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GO SWIM LOCH MORLICH (250m, 750m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 10000m)
16 September | Aviemore
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MARINERS MILE (500m, half mile, 1 mile)
23 September | Cheshunt
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SWIM CASCAIS '23 (1km, 1.9km, 3.8km, 5km, 10km, 20km)
23 September | Cascais, Portugal
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ULTRASWIM 33.3 #2 MONTENEGRO (33km, 6 swims over 4 days)
29 Sep-3 Oct | Herceg Novi, Montenegro
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SWIMTHEISLAND – GOLFO DELL'ISOLA (800m, 1.1km, 1.8km, 3.5km, 6km)
30 Sep-1 Oct | Bergeggi, Italy
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OCTOBER

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

7 October | Nice, France
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GREAT BARRIER REEF OCEAN SWIM SERIES (1km, 3km, 5km)

21 October | Port Douglas, North Queensland
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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 a £150 Budgy Smuggler voucher and a subscription to Outdoor Swimmer

Budgy Smugglers exude the very essence of outdoor swimming play – as shown on this month’s cover – and are available in vibrant designs for both men and women. 
 

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

The summer in Britain feels like it’s flying by. July was something of a washout with a number of swimming events being impacted by unsuitable weather. But the rest of August is looking a little better. If you’re hoping to do any longer distance swimming adventures or events, then it’s time to turn these plans into actions. We probably only have between six and 10 weekends left, depending on where you are, before water temperatures and daylight hours start restricting our summer swimming fun. September is a busy month for events. I’m doing Go Swim Loch Lomond and Swim Serpentine, and then heading out to Montenegro for UltraSwim33.3 . If you haven’t done a swimming event before, then give one a try. They can be great confidence boosters and are often defining points in your year. Take a look at our Event Listings to find one that suits you.

As always, we love to hear about your swimming adventures. Please tag us on social media when you share your stories and get in touch via email. We may even share your swim story in Outdoor Swimmer magazine.
 

Swim wild & free
 

Simon Griffiths 

Founder & publisher