Katia Vastiau 

Dear fellow swimmers

Taking an active interest in the weather and understanding it is essential for outdoor swimming – but when you are advised to check the conditions, how many of us actually know what that means? As we created this week’s newsletter, rain hammering down outside the window, we decided to revisit our interview with natural navigator Tristan Gooley, to explore how to predict rain showers, why understanding the wind is important for swimmers and why we should think about air temperature as well as water temperature.

We also revisit our most popular feature ‘How dangerous is lightning to swimmers', review changing mats and speak to members of the Edinburgh Blue Balls about what being part of this supportive community means to them.

In other news, the July issue of Outdoor Swimmer magazine has gone to press and will be arriving with subscribers in a little over a week. Subscribe to the magazine today and we’ll send you a free copy of Enchanted Islands by Laura Coffey, a captivating exploration of myth, magic, love, loss and cold-water swimming! (First 15 sign ups, UK subscribers only).

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FEATURE

Why does it always rain on me?

Is red sky at night really a shepherd’s delight? If cows are sitting down, will it rain? These questions and more are tackled in The Secret World of Weather by Tristan Gooley.

Read more...

GEAR REVIEW

Best changing mats and sitting mats for swimmers

Designed to give you a clean, dry surface to stand on whilst getting changed, changing mats – and their larger sibling, the sit mat – are a treat for your feet.

Read more... 

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OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

How to train for the swims on SwimRun

Swimming in swimruns is different. Simon Griffiths looks at how to prepare for it.

Read more... 

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Swim the Solent with Aspire

Join the Aspire swim team crossing The Solent to The Isle of Wight in 2024. A distance of 2 ½ to 3 miles (tide dependent), this swim is ideal if you are looking to push your swim boundaries.  

At Aspire, we are as passionate about swimming as you are and will be with you all the way. Dive in and help support people paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury. For further details email our event co-ordinator, Andrew.
 

STAY INFORMED & SWIM RESPONSIBLY

COMMUNITY

“Being part of this group has reignited my faith in manhood”

Each week a group of around 50 men walk into the cold waters of the North Sea. Kate Gillwood speaks to members of Edinburgh Blue Balls about what it means to them. 

Read more... 

SAFETY

How dangerous is lightning to swimmers?

Can you swim in a thunderstorm? Are you safe beside the water? How can you avoid lightning strikes when swimming? Simon Griffiths answers your questions.

Read more... 

BODYCARE

How to make a sauna whisk

Boost circulation in your skin and send sweet fragrance into the air with a sauna whisk, which you can make with birch or willow twigs this time of year.

Read more... 

Outdoor Swimmer – the magazine for adventurous swimmers

Expand your swimming horizons and achieve your swimming dreams.

JUNE 2024 - THE SWIM HIKING ISSUE

• Lace up your walking boots, pack a swimsuit and discover the simple pleasure of swim-walking.
• Space to pause and reflect: pairing talking therapy with wild swimming.
• The plus-size group opening up the outdoors for everyone.
• How to nail nutrition for longer swims

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TRIED & TESTED 

BEST JAMMERS, BRIEFS & SHORTS FOR OUTDOOR SWIMMERS

Whether you’re after a flexible fit for training, thermal fabric for core warmth or a lightweight hybrid short for impromptu dips, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the best jammers, briefs and shorts for outdoor swimmers.

WIN GREAT PRIZES

WIN a spa break courtesy of Arla LactoFREE

We’ve teamed up with Arla LactoFREE to give readers a chance to win a spa weekend at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa on the shores of Lake Windermere. 

Enter now... 

EVENTS COMING SOON 

CHESHIRE (12hr) SWIM CHALLENGE

15 June | Boundary Water Park, Cheshire
Find out more...  

'SWIM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL SWIM UP NORTH' CHALLENGE (21 miles)

15 June | Boundary Water Park, Cheshire
Find out more...  

24HR SWIM RELAYS (24hr challenge)

15 June | Clevedon

22 June | Bedford
29 June | Chelmsford
Find out more... 

BHF BOURNEMOUTH PIER TO PIER SWIM (1.4 miles)

29 June | Bournemouth
Find out more... 

SELKIE HENLEY CLASSIC (2.1km)

30 June | Henley-on-Thames
Find out more...

GAELFORCE GREAT LAKE SWIM (3.9km, 2km, and 750m)

13 July | Mountshannon, Co. Clare, Ireland
Find out more...

OUTDOOR SWIMMER HENLEY SWIM FESTIVAL (200m, half mile, mile, 2 miles, 4 miles)

13-14 July | Henley-on-Thames
Find out more...

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

TIP OF THE WEEK: DON'T FORGET TO TAPER

The Arla Great North Swim took place last weekend. It’s one of the first major swimming events of the year and also one of the biggest. We now have about 16 to 20 weekends of summer events and challenges left. I hope you’ve lined up a few adventures. If not, do it now!

Remember, if you are tackling a significant swimming challenge or trying to hit peak performance in a race, you need to reduce your training volume in the days leading up to it. We refer to this as tapering. The aim is to hold onto all the fitness you’ve gained while recovering from the fatigue that is the inevitable result of a heavy training load.

Look out for the July issue of Outdoor Swimmer magazine where we dive into the art and science of tapering in a lot more detail.
 

Simon, Ella and the Outdoor Swimmer team

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