THE DIP | Tow floats: which to buy and what to carry in them | How do I keep my fitness through winter?

Published: Sat, 02/03/24

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Dear fellow swimmers,

As well as swimming, I also enjoy swimrun. In 2023, I did 6 swimrun events. You can read those event reviews at swimrunner.world. Last week I recorded an interview for The SWIMRUN Show where we spoke about swimrun training, whether or not to use paddles, and should you specifically practice swimrun transitions. I’ve already entered my first swimrun for 2024 – The new Studland Swimrun – and you can read our interview with the event organiser here.

Back on the subject of swimming, we’re excited to see that Climate Games has added a new range of projects we can support through swimming challenges. Our February challenge is “Leap Year Laps”, it’s free to take part and contributes to planting and restoring kelp beds in Canada. Find out more and sign up (you need to download their app).

Finally, thank you to everyone who has completed our reader survey so far. If you haven’t done so yet, there’s still time to tell us what you think.

TAKE THE SURVEY

GEAR

Best tow floats for wild swimming

Keep hydrated, protect your valuables and stay seen: a tow float is a trusty companion when you’re swimming in open water. Choose your perfect buoy with our expert guide.

TRAINING & TECHNIQUE

How do I feel less ‘heavy’ in the water?

Swimming coach Cassie Patten answers a reader question about heaviness in the water, and improving stamina for an upcoming swimming event

OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

“How do I keep up my fitness through winter?”

Swimming coach Cassie Patten recommends a dryland programme for outdoor swimmers to maintain fitness levels through the winter months. (Premium content)

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WHAT TO CARRY IN YOUR TOW FLOAT

Tow floats or tow float dry bags are now widely used by outdoor swimmers, but what do people carry in them?

GB ICE SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Cold water swimming returned to the beautiful and historic Sandford Lido with the 2024 GB Ice Swimming Championships.

CELEBRATING DIFFERENT ABILITIES

Emma Jane Lancaster hasn’t let surgeries, medical conditions and a colostomy stop her swimming.

WHAT IF I CAN'T COPE WITH THE COLD?

Even if you feel prepared, swimming in cold water can still cause panic. Helen Davis explains how to thrill to the chill.

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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.

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EVENTS COMING SOON

ULTRASWIM 33.3 #3 CROATIA (33.3km over 4 days)
17-20 May | Stari Grad, Croatia
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GAELFORCE GREAT RIVER SWIM (5.8km, 3.1km, 800m)

18 May | Lanesborough, Co. Longford, Ireland
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GREATER MANCHESTER SWIM! (500m, 1 mile, 3 miles)

18 May | Dock 9, Salford Quays
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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
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Great North Swim (250m, half male, 1 mile, 2 miles, 5km, 10km)

7-9 June | Windermere, Lake District
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24-hr Swim Relays (24hr challenge)

8 June | Shepperton

15 June | Clevedon

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

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you’re a print subscriber, you should have received our February issue by now. We hope you love it. If you’re not yet a subscriber and want to see what you’re missing, you can read articles online as part of Outdoor Swimmer EXTRA.

Meanwhile, I’m heading to Dublin and looking forward to finding some new swim spots.

Have a great week.

Simon Griffiths

Founder & Publisher, Outdoor Swimmer

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