Dear fellow swimmers,

The water temperature in my local spot on the Thames dropped below 10 degrees for the first time this season. While it’s just a number, it feels like a significant barrier – the start of proper winter swimming. The flow has also increased to about 50 times the rate we had in the summer. It’s now almost too fast to swim against the current so we’ve taken to swooshing downstream. It’s fun but we’re also alert to the increased risks. We know CSOs have been discharging (99.5 hours for the one in Esher over last weekend) so we only swim head up, we watch out for debris and obstacles we could get pinned against, and of course we need to limit our time in the water. While that may make winter river swimming sound dangerous, I’m convinced there are benefits to assessing physical risks, taking responsibility and learning to manage them ourselves. It helps to be as informed as you can be, so if you haven’t done so yet, please dive into the cold water section on our website.

Continuing on the theme of preparing for the cold, read on to find out how to ditch your wetsuit for winter swimming, discover a new cold-water swimming retreat in the Lakes, understand how to train for a winter event and try out Speedo's new Therma Change Robe. 

COLD WATER SWIMMING

How to ditch your wetsuit for winter swimming

“For a 10-minute winter swim, I’m not sure wearing a wetsuit is worth it. What do you think?” Simon Griffiths answers this reader question.

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EXPLORE

Join this cold-water swimming retreat in the Lake District

This new cold-water swimming retreat at boutique hotel Rothay Manor promises to shine a light on the mental and physical benefits of cold-water immersion.

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OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

Winter Freestyle Refresher: Breathing for front crawl

How to identify areas for improvement and work out what to do. Your winter freestyle refresher by Simon Griffiths. (Premium content)

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Sponsored content

Welcome the wild – introducing Speedo’s new Therma Change Robe

In the run up to its Wild Swim range launch in early 2024, Speedo has brought out a functional, stylish and genuinely weatherproof changing robe that provides an exceptional level of warmth without the weight you would expect. Allow us to introduce… the Therma Change Robe.

"Like many outdoor swimmers, I often feel great getting out of the water and then begin to feel the cold to my bones around 10 to 15 minutes later. This is where the Therma Change Robe really came into its own as a post-swim coat, and you can tell there’s been some real thought and insight behind the robe’s thermal design." Jo Tinsley, Gear Editor

Read our review or click below to find out more. 

STAY INFORMED & SWIM RESPONSIBLY

*SOLD OUT* NOV 2023 - COLD WATER 

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*You can also read our sold out November issue on Outdoor Swimmer EXTRA. 

WIN GREAT PRIZES

Kendal Mountain Festival package

We’ve teamed up with the Kendal Mountain Festival to offer a special festival package including tickets for two, a VOITED drycoat and limited edition blanket and an annual subscription for you (or a friend).

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Davy J bonded swimsuit

As we venture into cold water season, we’re giving readers the chance to win one of Davy J’s gorgeous Long Sleeve Bonded Swimsuits

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UNTIL NEXT TIME...

Thanks for reading our weekly email newsletter (and making it to the end). We’re currently planning 2024 and we’d love to know what you’d like to read more of – and what you’d be happy to drop. We’ll be sending out a survey soon but if there is anything you’d like to feed back to us or suggest, please reply to this email.

Simon Griffiths
Publisher and Founder, Outdoor Swimmer magazine 

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Lead photo: Jumpy James