Dear fellow swimmers
This weekend, most of the Outdoor Swimmer team are at the Great North
Swim. It’s one of my favourite events. The location is stunning, of course, and a huge draw. I really started to get to know the Lake District and appreciate its beauty because of this swim.
Over the years, the Great North Swim has evolved from a one-mile challenge to offering swims from 250m to
10km. On top of that, there’s the brilliant Great North Swimrun, which starts with a full width of Windermere. There is something for almost everyone, with a big emphasis on making first-time swimmers feel welcome and safe.
If you’re there, we hope you have a wonderful weekend. Please pass by the Outdoor Swimmer tent, say hello to the team and pick up a copy of
the magazine.
And we hope the weather is better than last weekend!
Almost a washout
Last Saturday, we celebrated 15 years of publishing Outdoor
Swimmer with a Pool Party at Hilsea Lido. It’s a lovingly and beautifully restored lido near Portsmouth. Unfortunately, the weather let us down, with persistent rain and strong winds.
Still, we’re outdoor swimmers. We’re used to getting wet and there is something fun about swimming when most people would prefer to lock themselves inside. Some of my most memorable
swims have been in wild conditions.
We were therefore delighted that many of you also chose to defy the weather and join us. We hope you enjoyed your swim and cake. Unfortunately, the wind prevented us from offering the full range of activities we would have liked to – but that’s the nature of outdoor events.
Anyway, we’re hoping for better weather this weekend, but even if it isn’t, we're confident you will make the most of it. Whether you’re at the Great North Swim or elsewhere, we hope you have a great weekend and get to enjoy the water.
Meanwhile, read on to discover how personal goals transform you time in the pool (members only), the importance of rest intervals when you're training, and the best sunglasses for wild swimmers.
