Dear fellow swimmers

Next weekend I’ll be stepping out of my comfort zone and heading to Car Fest. It’s not the way I’d normally spend a bank holiday weekend. However, the Outdoor Swimmer team has been invited to join the guest speaker team on the 'Adventure Stage' to talk about swimming. Not only that, we’ll be joined by Keri-anne Payne, Vassos Alexander and The Happy Pear. I continue to be surprised about the places and things swimming takes me too. We'll be on the stage at 2pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday – if you’re there, please come and say hello. To mark the event, we've also teamed up with Zoggs and Swim Secure to give three people the chance to win an ultimate outdoor swimming prize bundle worth £400, scroll down to enter.
 

GEAR

Best towel robes 

Roomy sizes, quick-drying fabric and super absorbent: Omie Dale reviews the best towel robes for keeping you snug after a cold water swim.

Read more

EXPLORE

The slowest of journeys

Author of The Slow Traveller Jo Tinsley on how adopting a slow travel mindset can inspire intrepid swims and help you pioneer your own adventure.

Read more... 

OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

How to plan a river swimming route 

A long, lazy river swim is a quintessentially summer pastime. Jonathan Cowie has your guide to planning a safe river swimming route. (Premium content). 

Read more... 

SPONSORED CONTENT

What is the biggest open water swimming challenge you can think of? 
 

The English Channel is the Mount Everest of swimming – but that doesn’t mean it is out of your reach. Swimming the English Channel as part of a charity relay team is a great way to push your limits and achieve something truly worthwhile. 

Swim charity, SwimTayka – now recruiting for their Channel Relay teams in 2024 – are ready to take on the challenge for 2024. Are you ready to make a difference to the lives of people around the world? 

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. 

EVENTS COMING SOON 

(sponsored content)

AUGUST

THE DYFI (13km)
20 August 2023 | Aberdovey
Find out more...  

SEPTEMBER

GO SWIM LOCH LOMOND (250m, 750m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 10000m)
2 September | Loch Lomond, Balloch
Find out more...  

GAELFORCE GREAT FJORD SWIM (750m, 2km, 3.9km)
9 September | Connemara, Ireland
Find out more...  

THE BIG BRUTAL SWIM (2.5k, 5k and 10k)
10 September | Llanberis, North Wales
Find out more...  

SWIM WALES CHALLENGE SERIES (500m, 1.5km, 3km, 4x500m relay)
16 September | Llys-y-Frân, Pembrokeshire
Find out more...  

GO SWIM LOCH MORLICH (250m, 750m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 10000m)
16 September | Aviemore
Find out more...  

MARINERS MILE (500m, half mile, 1 mile)
23 September | Cheshunt
Find out more...  

SWIM CASCAIS '23 (1km, 1.9km, 3.8km, 5km, 10km, 20km)
23 September | Cascais, Portugal
Find out more...  

ULTRASWIM 33.3 #2 MONTENEGRO (33km, 6 swims over 4 days)
29 Sep-3 Oct | Herceg Novi, Montenegro
Find out more...  

SWIMTHEISLAND – GOLFO DELL'ISOLA (800m, 1.1km, 1.8km, 3.5km, 6km)
30 Sep-1 Oct | Bergeggi, Italy
Find out more...  

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 an ultimate outdoor swimming bundle worth £400 

Ahead of our appearance at Car Fest 2023 next weekend, we’ve teamed up with Zone3 and Swim Secure to offer you the chance to win one of three ultimate outdoor swimming bundles worth £400

Enter to win... 

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

While next weekend I’ll be doing lots of talking about swimming at Car Fest, this weekend I have lots of actual swimming to do. On Saturday I’ve got a 4km pool training session and then on Sunday I’m meeting a group of swimming friends for a leisurely 7.5km swimming adventure along the Thames, hopefully with a little current assistance. This will be followed by breakfast and coffee. If it all goes to plan, will be finished in time for a rather exciting football match. Despite the football distraction, I hope you find some time for swimming too.

Finally, can I bring your attention to some work we’re doing behind the scenes on our website listings. As well as the original events listings, this also include details of open water swimming coaches, venues, guided swims and swim travel opportunities. 

Have a great week.

Simon Griffiths 

Founder & publisher 

Lead photo: Colin Nicholls