THE DIP | Why is 800m in a pool harder than in open water? | Where to swim and SUP in Wales

THE DIP | Why is 800m in a pool harder than in open water? | Where to swim and SUP in Wales | Swimming drills explained

Published: Sat, 07/06/24

Updated: Thu, 07/11/24

Your weekly edit from

Dear fellow swimmers

We hope you're relishing the warmer water temperatures now we're deep into summer, perhaps taking the bulk of your training into the open water instead of the pool. Quick question – do you find it easier swimming a certain distance in the open water easier than in a swimming pool? If so, Simon has his own theories as to why this could be – scroll on to read his thoughts!

Also in the newsletter, paddle boarder Lisa Drewe shares her favourite places to wild swim and SUP in Wales, gear editor Jo reveals how she got on her 12-week swimming challenge for WaterAid and we catch up with endurance swimmer Ross Edgley, fresh from his extraordinary 510km swim in the Yukon River last month.

PS - in our July issue, you may have seen a reference to a sea-bike in Rowan Clark's article about how watersports can enhance your swimming. Intrigued? Here's editor Ella trying it out!

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EXPLORE

Places to swim and SUP in Wales

From sheltered bays to tranquil rivers, Lisa Drewe chooses her favourite places to paddle board in Wales – all great for wild swimming, too!

CHALLENGE

How to swim a marathon (in 12 weeks)

In the run up to this summer’s WaterAid Swim Marathon, Gear Editor Jo Tinsley took on the challenge of swimming 26 miles in 12 weeks. (Sponsored content)

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OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

"What are swimming drills?"

"I've heard lots about swimming drills and there's hundreds of YouTube videos about them, but I have no idea where to start." Cassie Patten answers this reader question.

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Don't miss the Henley Swim Festival on 12th-14th July!

Use code: SUMMERSWIM at checkout to get 15% off all swim events.

With just over one week to go until this year's Outdoor Swimmer Henley Swim Festival make sure you book any last minute entries now!

To celebrate 20 years of Henley Swim the Festival is focused on activities for all the family with plenty to do for everyone.

There are paddle boarding sessions, saunas and ice baths, synchronised swimming displays and live music beside this iconic stretch of the River Thames. With free entry, food, shopping and entertainment it's a great opportunity to enjoy a weekend beside the waters.

FIND OUT MORE & BOOK YOUR SWIMS

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EVENT REVIEW

A life-affirming adventure in Croatia with Ultraswim33.3

Portuguese swimmer Mariana Santos shares her experience of this beautiful but challenging event on the Croatian coast.

FEATURE

Why is an 800m race in the pool harder than in open water?

Simon Griffiths shares his own theories on something that's been puzzling him over his many years of pool and open water racing.

NEWS

“Pick a swim that excites you!”

Last month, endurance swimmer Ross Edgley completed a 510km swim in the Yukon River. Fresh from his challenge, Ross shares his advice for anyone considering their own swimming feat.

EVENT REVIEW

Ham SwimRun 2024

This short swimrun near Richmond is ideal for beginners or more experienced swimrunners looking for some race-day practise, says Lucy Young.

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JULY 2024 - COMPLEMENTARY SPORTS

How paddleboarding can enhance your swimming.
The art and science of tapering
You Ask, We Answer: what are drills?
On test: watersports gear, suncream and water shoes.
Plus training and technique, swim travel, events and book reviews.

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TRIED & TESTED

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.

BROWSE OUR EXPERT GEAR REVIEWS

EVENTS COMING SOON

MEDIACITYUK SWIM CHALLENGE (1.5km, 5km, 10km, 15km)

6 July | Salford Quay
Find out more...

RD5 – ROYAL DOCKS 5K SWIM (5km)

13 July | London Royal Dock
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
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WATERAID SWIM MARATHON (26 or 13 miles in 12 weeks)

1 August-24 October | Nationwide

Find out more...

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

TIP OF THE WEEK: BUILD AN APPROPRIATE TRAINING HABIT

On election night, we ran one of our regular virtual events. The topic was 'How to do an English Channel relay' with Emma France, who runs Channel swimming in Dover. Of the many questions asked, several were about training. Emma recommends a five step approach. The second of which is: “Build an appropriate training habit.”

It’s a simple yet fundamental thing. Before you take up any fancy training plan, you have to ensure you are regularly in the water. Make swimming part of your lifestyle. Make it a normal thing to do. Just swimming regularly and frequently will get you most of the way there. The specific training you do on top is the refinement.

We’ll share the video soon so you can check out the other stages in Emma’s approach!

Simon, Ella and the Outdoor Swimmer team

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