THE DIP | How to be a more horizontal swimmer | What to eat before and after a swim

THE DIP | How to be a more horizontal swimmer | What to eat before and after a swim | Energy gels tried and tested

Published: Sat, 05/11/24

Updated: Sat, 05/11/24

Your weekly edit from

Dear fellow swimmers

It's heartening to hear stories about water lovers of all kinds – from anglers and canoeists to outdoor swimmers – uniting for a common cause, to protect our precious blue spaces from pollution. Scroll on to read about the seven water-based sports including Swim England and British Triathlon, forming the Clean Water Sports Alliance to demand the government go “further and faster” in tackling pollution. Sadly, alongside this news is the announcement that the Boulters to Bray swim has been cancelled because of pollution fears – read on for Simon's take on this.

Also in The Dip this week, we share our webinar covering all you need to about nutrition for open water swimmers, and our guide to energy gels – what are they, and why are they particularly useful for long-distance swims? We also share how you can get tickets for an exclusive screening of Disney's Young Woman and the Sea in London on 28 May.

If you're free on Sunday and looking for more inspiration to be a river campaigner, Henley Mermaid Jo Robb is giving a talk about how ordinary people took on the polluters in their fight for the Thames. It takes place Sunday 12 May, 11am, at Braziers Park in Wallingford. Click here to book your ticket.

Finally, if you missed the chance to read a copy of the April 'Travel' edition, we're now offering 40% off!

Don't forget to check our training Tip of the Week at the bottom of this newsletter!

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NUTRITION

Watch our webinar about nutrition for swimmers: all you need to know

What should you eat before, during and after your swims? Watch our Q&A hosted by Simon Griffiths and James Phillips from Precision Fuel & Hydration.

GEAR REVIEW

Energy gels: tried and tested

Your expert guide to energy gels: what are the benefits for long-distance swimmers, how and when to use them, plus we put six energy gels to the test.

OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

How do I prepare for a 6.5km swim in 10 weeks?

Reader Debbie is doing the Brownsea Island swim in June – a distance of 6.5km. How does she train for the event with only a few weeks to go? Coach Cassie Patten provides a training plan. (Premium content)

STAY INFORMED & SWIM RESPONSIBLY

WETSUITS: YOUR EXPERT GUIDE

Do I need a wetsuit for outdoor swimming? How do I swim in one? Watch our Outdoor Swimmer x Zoggs series where we tackle issues and questions all swimmers have.

EXCLUSIVE SCREENING OF DISNEY'S YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA

Disney’s Young Woman and the Sea opens in select cinemas on 31 May but we can offer readers the opportunity to see it at a special screening in London on 28 May.

SPORTS UNITE FOR CLEANER WATERS

Seven national governing bodies of water-based sports have announced they are forming an alliance calling for clean open water across the UK.

BOULTER'S TO BRAY SWIM CANCELLED

We ask: Is it appropriate to cancel a river swimming race because of pollution fears two months ahead of the event? Simon shares his thoughts on the matter.

Expand your swimming horizons and achieve your swimming dreams.

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MAY 2024 - THE GEAR ISSUE

16 pages of gear reviews from swimwear to wetsuits and shorties.
“Help! I don’t understand training jargon" Olympian Cassie Patten has your guide.
How to plan ahead and make the most of event this season.
The history of swimming kit and Channel grease.
Learn how to swim in challenging conditions with confidence.

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WIN GREAT PRIZES

WIN an adventure bundle from Seashell – worth £450

Whether you’re plunging into the ocean or exploring hidden waterfalls, this package has everything you need: an adult changing robe; a kids changing robe, 25l drybag, two towelling robes and two merino beanies.

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WIN a team entry to a 24hr Swim Relay

Level Water is giving you the chance to win a free team entry, for four people, to a 24hr Swim Relay of your choice! There are six events to choose from, all at beautiful lakes across the UK.

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EVENTS COMING SOON

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...

24HR SWIM RELAYS (24hr challenge)

8 June | Shepperton

15 June | Clevedon

22 June | Bedford
Find out more...

BHF BOURNEMOUTH PIER TO PIER SWIM (1.4 miles)

29 June | Bournemouth
Find out more...

Browse our full list of events. To promote your event here, please email stuart@outdoorswimmer.com.

TIP OF THE WEEK: BE MORE HORIZONTAL

Lifting your body into a more horizontal position in the water will help you swim faster for less effort. Practice floating face down every time you swim and experiment with stretching out your body and holding a light tension in your core. Once you get a feel for this while floating, try to bring it into your swimming. For more tips, see 'Six Ways to Get More Horizontal While Swimming'.

Simon, Ella and the Outdoor Swimmer team

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