THE DIP | How do I get my face in the water? | Too cold to swim?

THE DIP | How do I get my face in the water? | Too cold to swim? | How to have a happy public lane swim

Published: Sat, 02/17/24

Your weekly edit from

Dear fellow swimmers,

Can we ask you a favour? If you ever swim in the Thames catchment area, please take a look at Thames Water’s EDM map. This map tracks when combined sewer overflows are discharging sewage into the Thames or one of its tributaries, which is something you might want to know if you’re planning a swim. Unfortunately, a lot of the monitors have stopped working, including the one I’m most interested in, which monitors discharges into the Hogsmill at Kingston. If you live or ever swim in the Thames catchment area, could you take a look at the map for relevant CSOs and, if they are not working, message Thames Water on social media or send them an email to complain? There’s a small chance that if enough people contact them it will make a difference. Thank you!

Meanwhile, in this week’s newsletter, we get an insight into winter swimming in Austin, Texas; we give advice for those struggling to get their face in the water while swimming outdoors; and explore how to have a happy lane swim in your local pool.

Remember to scroll down to enter our competition to win two entries to the Great North SwimRun 2024.

(Sponsored content)

Enter the Arla Great North Swim

The Arla Great North Swim returns to the beautiful setting of Windermere in the Lake District on Friday 7 June – Sunday 9 June in just 4 months’ time and we’d love to see you there!

Entries are selling fast with 4 slots already sold out. Due to popular demand, we are opening an additional slot on Saturday 8 June. You can now sign up to the Swim250 at 3.30pm.

Enter now to secure your place!

ENTER NOW

READERS' SWIMS

A winter swimming mind

In what ways are our minds always winter swimming? Lindsey Holmes shares lessons learned by winter swimming at the 1,000ft Barton Springs pool in Austin, Texas.

BACK TO BASICS

How do I get my face in the water?

“I’m struggling to get my face in the water when swimming at my local lake, and I would love some advice!" Simon Griffiths has advice for relieving anxiety in open water.

OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

Too cold to swim?

How the Little Ice Age could be at least in part responsible for Europe’s swimming drought in the Middle Ages. Elaine K Howley investigates. (Premium content)

STAY INFORMED & SWIM RESPONSIBLY

HAVE A HAPPY POOL LANE SWIM

Jonathan Cowie shares his advice for how to make your training sessions in public pools happy and effective.

THE BOATHOUSE, CORNWALL

Our weekending series continues with a windy winter trip to north Cornwall with a swim outside the bedroom window.

HEAD ABOVE THE WATER

A new film explores Alex Staniforth’s journey of identity and discovery while completing Britain’s ultimate swimrun.

AFTERMATH AT THE LIDO

Reader Laura Davies’ poem beautifully captures the aftermath of a January storm at Tooting Bec Lido.

Expand your swimming horizons and achieve your swimming dreams.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

FEB 2024 - THE PROTEST ISSUE

Vote with your feet: how swimming can bring about political change
Meet the team behind the world’s first biodegradable wetsuit
Nurture nature: the swimmers giving back to their swim spots
OSS’s Inland Access Group shines a light on the legalities of swimming so you can dip with confidence.

GET THE FEB ISSUE

WIN GREAT PRIZES

WIN two entries to the Great North SwimRun 2024!

We’ve partnered with the Great North SwimRun to offer you the chance to win two entries for the short distance (12.6km) for you and your friend on 8 June 2024.

Enter now...

(Sponsored content)

EVENTS COMING SOON

THE COOL MILE (1 mile)
6 April | Tal y Llyn, North Wales
Find out more...

SWIMATHON 2024 (400m to 30.9km)
26-28 April | various location
Find out more...

KESWICK MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL (750m, 1.5km, 3.6km)
17-19 May | Derwentwater, Lake District
Find out more...

ULTRASWIM 33.3 #3 CROATIA (33.3km over 4 days)
17-20 May | Stari Grad, Croatia
Find out more...

GAELFORCE GREAT RIVER SWIM (5.8km, 3.1km, 800m)

18 May | Lanesborough, Co. Longford, Ireland
Find out more...

GREATER MANCHESTER SWIM! (500m, 1 mile, 3 miles)

18 May | Dock 9, Salford Quays
Find out more...

BEST Fest 2024 (7 swims over 7 days: 5k, 1.9/3.8k, 1.5k, 2.5k, 3k, 7/10k and 4x500m)
25 May | Colonia Sant Jordi, Mallorca, Spain
Find out more...

Great North Swim (250m, half male, 1 mile, 2 miles, 5km, 10km)

7-9 June | Windermere, Lake District
Find out more...

24-hr Swim Relays (24hr challenge)

8 June | Shepperton

15 June | Clevedon

22 June | Bedford
Find out more...

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

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

It’s perhaps a little early, but I’m enjoying some early signs of spring at the river. The water temperature is close to double digits, a pair of Egyptian geese already have a brood of goslings, and the daffodils on the river bank are out. I was actually able to warm up in the sun after yesterday’s dip. If you share any swimming signs of spring pictures on social media, please tag us.

Have a great week.

Simon Griffiths

Founder & Publisher, Outdoor Swimmer

MAIN IMAGE: Boston Light swimmer Irene Hesnius breaks the ice, 1926. Read more in ‘Too cold to swim?’ (Premium content).

Email policy

IN LINE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS, WE WILL ONLY SEND YOU EMAILS IF YOU HAVE AGREED TO RECEIVE THEM FROM US. IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO HEAR FROM US YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME USING THE LINK BELOW. PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT NOR WILL NOT PROVIDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO ANY ADVERTISER OR OTHER THIRD PARTY.

Privacy Policy

6 Maida Vale Business Centre
Mead Road
Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 7ER
UNITED KINGDOM

Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options