Dear fellow swimmers

Get faster, slowly
 

As swimmers, we all have moments where progress feels slow or even impossible – especially as the birthdays start stacking up. But lately I’ve been reminded how much potential we still have, no matter what stage of life we’re in.

Next week we’re hosting a Zoom session on 'Swimming into your 50s, 60s and beyond'. It sold out faster than anything we’ve run recently, which tells us this is a topic people care deeply about. Many of us want to keep improving, keep learning, and keep enjoying the water for as long as we can.

With that in mind, I’ve written a short reflection on my own recent experiences of getting (slightly) faster in the pool – along with a list of things that I think can make a difference to your swimming. It's not intended to show off, but to show that we can sometimes surprise ourselves. I hope it helps – and if you've surprised yourself with a breakthrough in your swimming, please let us know. We'd love to hear what you changed and how it helped.

Happy Swimming!

Simon Griffiths

Founder & Publisher, Outdoor Swimmer magazine

PS. To put your brand in front of 40,000 swimmers, please email stuart@outdoorswimmer.com

(Sponsored content)

Dive into your next adventure at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show

We know the joy of chasing the perfect swim spot. Discover the kit that gets you there at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, 17–22 February, NEC Birmingham. 

Across five giant halls you can explore the hottest new campervans, motorhomes, tents and camping gear ideal for swim trips and weekend escapes, plus loads of free activities including paddleboarding! 

Tickets just £12.50* including parking & kids go free.*

*Ts&Cs apply

RECOMMENDED FROM OUR WEBSITE THIS WEEK

GEAR

Women’s pool training swimwear
Compressive support, hydrodynamic fits and durable fabrics: we review some of the best women’s swimsuits for pool training.

Read more

SUBSCRIBERS ONLY*

Boost your strength and mobility for better movement

Make 2026 the year you move better – understanding the link between strength and mobility, says personal trainer Liz Lowe.

Read on Outdoor Swimmer Extra

Read on Pocketmags

PARTNERSHIP

“What keeps me coming back? Being treated like a queen”

A nurturing yoga and wild swimming retreat, Zest Life is perfectly placed for the recent rise in female solo travellers, with many of the retreat’s guests returning year after year. What keeps them coming back?

Read more

PLUS

• POOL SWIMMING: Get faster, slowly
• NEWS: Is teaching swimming one of the happiest jobs in the UK?
   

*All premium content on our website is published in Outdoor Swimmer magazine in print. Print subscribers also get free digital access to all our back issues via Pocketmags. 

EXPLORE FURTHER ON OUR WEBSITE

We use Aweber for our email communications

What did you think of this week's newsletter?

Email policy

IN LINE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS, WE WILL ONLY SEND YOU EMAILS IF YOU HAVE AGREED TO RECEIVE THEM FROM US. IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO HEAR FROM US YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME USING THE LINK BELOW. PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT NOR WILL NOT PROVIDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO ANY ADVERTISER OR OTHER THIRD PARTY. 

Privacy Policy