THE DIP | Why swimming faster might not make you happier | The best water shoes

THE DIP | Why swimming faster might not make you happier | The best water shoes | Embrace slow swimming

Published: Sat, 07/13/24

Updated: Sat, 07/13/24

Your weekly edit from

Dear fellow swimmers

Like many of you, we’re counting down the days to a momentous sporting event this weekend. The Outdoor Swimmer Henley Swim Festival, taking place this Saturday and Sunday at Temple Island Meadows on an iconic stretch of the Thames, is a riverside festival celebrating our shared love for outdoor swimming in all its many forms.

As well as taking part in event swims, this is your opportunity to dip in a supervised lido in the Thames, take part in transformative breathwork and cold water therapy sessions, watch synchronized swimming performances and get expert advice from leading and independent open water brands (as well as trying before you buy!) Entry is free and you don’t need to book, except to participate in one of the swims where pre-registration and payment can be made on the website. And yes, there will be plenty of time to get back home for the Euro 2024 Final on Sunday, too.

Elsewhere in The Dip, we explore why there’s much more to swimming than speed, review water shoes and speak with 16-year-old Maya Merhige about her upcoming attempt to swim English Channel – the third leg of her Triple Crown.

Finally, thank you to WaterAid for sponsoring this weekend’s edition of The Dip. There’s still time to join the hundreds of swimmers challenging themselves to swim a full or half marathon over 12 weeks to raise funds for the almost 1 in 10 people who don’t have clean drinking water close to home. Read Gear Editor Jo Tinsley's experience of taking part or register for the Swim Marathon today.

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GEAR REVIEW

Water shoes: what footwear do you need for wild swimming?

Lightweight, insulated or easy to slip on – read our guide to water shoes, hybrid hiking sandals and neoprene socks and booties for outdoor swimmers.

OPINION

Why swimming faster might not make you happier

Focusing purely on speed can sap the joy from your swimming. To ensure swimming continues to make you happy, embrace it in its entirety.

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OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

Embracing Slow Swimming

Writer Georgie Duckworth dips her toe into a swimming event designed for those who like to take it slow.

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The countdown is on for the WaterAid Swim Marathon

Join hundreds of swimmers up and down the country challenging themselves to swim a full or half marathon over 12 weeks.

From 1 August, swim anywhere from your local pool to your favourite stretch of open water – take your health, wellbeing, and fitness to the next level – and raise funds for the almost 1 in 10 people who don’t have clean drinking water close to home.

STAY INFORMED & SWIM RESPONSIBLY

NEWS

Five things we’re looking forward to at the Henley Swim Festival

There’s much more to do at the Outdoor Swimmer Henley Swim Festival besides swimming this iconic stretch of the Thames.

NEWS

16-year-old Maya Merhige to swim English Channel

American swimmer Maya Merhige hopes to be one of the youngest to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
Read more...

NUTRITION

The Fell Foodie’s Moules Mariniére recipe

Mussels are the perfect food to enjoy outdoors while overlooking open water. The Fell Foodie Harrison Ward shares his recipe.

EVENT REVIEW

Go Swim Loch Lomond

Interested in taking a little dip in a big loch? Here's how Simon Griffiths got on at Go Swim Loch Lomond 2023.

Outdoor Swimmer – the magazine for adventurous swimmers

Expand your swimming horizons and achieve your swimming dreams.

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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.

ORDER THE ISSUE

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TRIED & TESTED

NINE OF THE BEST SWIMMING BIKINIS

Dive-proof, wave-proof and cut to allow freedom of movement in the water, we put nine swimming bikinis to the test

BROWSE OUR EXPERT GEAR REVIEWS

EVENTS COMING SOON

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

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

WATERAID SWIM MARATHON (26 or 13 miles in 12 weeks)

1 August-24 October | Nationwide

Find out more...

VIDÖSTERNSIMMET (42km, 21+km, 6km, 0.5km)

10 August | Värnamo, Sweden

Find out more...

GO SWIM LOCH TAY (250m, 750m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 10000m)

17 August | Aberfeldy, Scotland

Find out more...

SWIM PARTY ALGARVE (10km)

24 August | Carvoeiro, Portugal

Find out more...

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

TIP OF THE WEEK: SWIMMING FASTER MIGHT NOT MAKE YOU HAPPIER

While nearly all of us would like to swim faster, we shouldn’t let our swimming speed determine our satisfaction with the sport or our happiness. By all means, train to swim faster, but seek your joy of swimming elsewhere: the sensation of being in the water, the adventures swimming brings you and the health and fitness it helps you sustain. Read more.

Simon, Ella and the Outdoor Swimmer team

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