THE DIP | How will the Olympics inspire you? | "Windermere nearly broke me" says Hector Pardoe

THE DIP | How will the Olympics inspire you? | "Windermere nearly broke me" says Hector Pardoe | Swimming kit for kids

Published: Sat, 07/27/24

Updated: Sat, 07/27/24

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Dear fellow swimmers

The Olympics inspires people in different ways. For many people, it’s the nudge they need to do more exercise or to train for a physical challenge. For me, watching the 2008 marathon swim and then meeting silver medallist Keri-anne Payne were part of the inspiration for creating Outdoor Swimmer magazine, originally as H2Open magazine.

Not only can we be inspired by the Olympics, we can learn from Olympians. People who reach the top in sport know what they are doing. If you want to improve your swimming, watch how the Olympians do it and read what motivates them.

And so, to mark the opening of the Paris Olympics, we ask American open water swimmer Ivan Puskovitch how he trains; we speak to Team GB marathon swimmer Hector Pardoe about his love of the Lake District and how setting the record for Windermere was his hardest ever swim (but also his favourite); and we meet Kara Hanlon, who narrowly missed out on qualifying by 0.29 of a second earlier this year, about about what it takes to be Scotland’s fastest ever female 50m and 100m breaststroker.

As always, don't forget to scroll to the end for our Tip of the Week.

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VIEW FROM THE WATER

How will the Olympics inspire you?

With the Paris 2024 Olympics under way, Simon Griffiths reflects on marathon swimming’s short history in the Games and what we can learn from the athletes.

FEATURES

The Hector Pardoe interview: How Windermere nearly broke him

Hector Pardoe is an Olympian, the length of Windermere record holder and a newly appointed ambassador for the Lake District Foundation.

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OUTDOOR SWIMMER EXTRA

How to balance your training between open water and the pool

Jason Tait says doing the right mix of pool and open water will help you race faster.

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Join the Aspire Relay Channel swim teams for 2025

We are looking for individuals to join Aspire Relay Channel swim teams and take on the 22 mile swim in 2025.

At Aspire, we are as passionate about swimming as you are and will be with you all the way, from sign up to feeling the sand between your toes on a French beach. Dive in and help support people paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury. For further details email our event co-ordinator, Andrew.

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STAY INFORMED & SWIM RESPONSIBLY

GEAR

Outdoor swimming kit for kids

From kids changing robes, goggles and swimwear to rainbow tow floats, rock pooling shoes and junior wetsuits: our pick of the best outdoor swimming kit for kids.

COACH

How I train: Ivan Puskovitch

Ivan is an American open water swimmer who will be competing in the men’s 10km at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Read more...

OPINION

How do I decide if I should swim in the Thames?

Simon Griffiths explains how he looks at pollution risk before swimming.

NEWS

Could you swim 10km this August?

Challenge yourself to swim 10km this August as part of our collaboration with Climate Games and you could support the planting of one million corals by 2025.

FEATURES

It all began in a 12.5m pool

This week a new BBC documentary tells the incredible story of British champion swimmer Kara Hanlon and the months leading up to her bid for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Outdoor Swimmer – the magazine for adventurous swimmers

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AUG 2024 - THE 'SWIM SAFE' ISSUE

Race faster. Hit the right balance of open water and pool training.
Meet the record-breaking Merthyr Mermaid training for polar swims.
The best gear for kids, lightweight towels and sunglasses for wild swimmers.
Bog swimming in Estonia

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TRIED & TESTED

THE BEST SUNSCREEN FOR SWIMMERS

What’s the best sunscreen for outdoor swimmers? We put nine sun lotions, mineral sunscreens and zinc sun sticks to the test.

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EVENTS COMING SOON

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

1 August-24 October | Nationwide

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

10 August | Värnamo, Sweden

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

17 August | Aberfeldy, Scotland

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SWIM PARTY ALGARVE (10km)

24 August | Carvoeiro, Portugal

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

31 August | Balloch, Scotlan

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

TIP OF THE WEEK: TAKE PRACTICAL MEASURES TO REDUCE INFECTION

Before your next outdoor swim, fill a drinks bottle with warm water. Wrap the bottle in your towel. It should stay warm for an hour or two. After your swim, use the water for a quick shower and to wash your face and hands. It not only feels amazing, it reduces that wet-dog odour you sometimes get after swimming and should help to reduce your risk of infection. It takes some experimentation to get the temperature right, and you need to adjust for ambient temperature and length of swim. Always test to make sure you don’t scald yourself. For more tips on how I decide if it’s safe to swim and what I do to reduce infection risk, see “How do I decide if I should swim in the Thames.” Read more.

Simon, Ella and the Outdoor Swimmer team

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