NEW ISSUE! Night Swimming 🌙

Published: Tue, 05/05/26

Updated: Thu, 05/07/26

Dear Swimmer

Join us in the enchanting, otherworldly realm of night swimming—an experience as vital for endurance athletes as it is magical for the curious dipper.

Beneath darkened skies, familiar waters transform, revealing mystery, imagination and unexpected beauty. We explore the reasons why we swim at night, what it gives us, and how it can enhance our outdoor swimming experience. Plus, we have coaching for all swimmers, everything you need to know about buying a wetsuit, foraged recipes for swimmers, and we explore the health benefits of night swimming.

Rich, reflective and quietly exhilarating, our May issue celebrates swimming not just as sport, but as an experience—especially when the lights go out.

Buy your Night Swimming issue now, or join Outdoor Swimmer to read it digitally straight away.

Ella Foote, Editor

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WE SWIM AT NIGHT

Why would anyone swim in wild waters at night? If the idea gives you the heebie-jeebies, you're not alone. For many of us, the inky depths of the water reflects the darker depths of our minds - our fears and anxieties.

In our lead feature, we explore how this link between our internal and external fears plays out for both long-distance swimmers and experiential dippers. From crossing oceans at night to floating in a lake or loch and staring at the galaxies above, we hear how facing those fears unlocks magic, beauty and awe like nothing else.

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INKY MAGIC

This issue shines with standout storytelling, from marine biologist Helen Scales’ exploration of bioluminescence—where even deep-sea sharks glow—to John Lewis-Stempel’s lyrical reflections on how darkness reshapes the landscape and the mind. Together, they capture the quiet wonder of swimming beyond daylight’s edge.

Expert coaching offers fresh perspective too, with insights from Vivienne Rickman and Nicola Butler challenging swimmers to rethink training after dark. Alice Dearing explores endurance training in the dark, while Ella takes dippers and experiential swimmers on a sensory night swimming journey.

Inspiring personal journeys round out the issue, including young Alexander Sixsmith’s powerful story of resilience through open water.

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FOR EVERY OUTDOOR SWIMMER

Whether you're serious about improving your technique, times or distance in the water, wanting to learn more about the benefits of swimming outdoors, or curious about exploring the watery world, our mission is to support EVERY outdoor swimmer to take their swimming further.

These are tricky times for us all, and we all need the beauty, benefits and immersion of outdoor swimming more than ever. By supporting each other, with can make the most of this together.

We're a tiny team of outdoor swimming enthusiasts, and our magazine is truly independent. By joining us from just £3.99 a month, you'll help support our vision. You'll also get so many opportunities to swim better - at events and webinars, pool parties and swim venues, on courses, and in our flagship magazine.

Be part of our story.

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The magazine for outdoor swimmers by outdoor swimmers.

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