A plant-based protein shake formulated specifically for women, a backpack that doubles as a tow float and a fully immersible sling bag: read on for our round up of the best pieces of outdoor swimming kit we’ve tried, tested and loved this summer

XTRATUF Aqua Apres Fish Sliders

£45

These are super simple, super comfortable and super useful. The high performance EVA foam footbed makes it feel like you are walking on air and they weigh virtually nothing, which means they are great for throwing into kit bags or wearing to and from the water. Even cooler, for every pair sold XTRATUF will donate £1 to the RNLI.

Buy now

ATTIS Kit Bags, from £17.75

£17.75

Sustainable camping brand Attis make two- and three-berth tents using organic cotton and recycled ocean plastic. Their Kit Bags are produced from the same high tensile organic cotton as their ridge tents, with zips and labels made from recycled ocean plastic. Perfect for keeping your bits organised and easy to find even with cold hands.

Buy now

BUDDYSWIM Buoy Drybag BuddySwim Backpack

£42

As fans of summer swim-hiking, we love any kit that enables adventure. This clever backpack doubles as a tow float. Super comfortable to carry and sizeable enough for your swim kit, it has fully adjustable straps and a breathable pad that sits against your back. The backpack trellis is easy to clip off so you can inflate it and keep your essentials with you while you swim.

Buy now

HARBOUR & TIDE Buoys Buoys Buoys T-Shirt

£30

We love these cheeky slogan t-shirts by from Harbour & Tide, a vibrant beach store in sunny Margate. Made with 100% organic cotton and hand-printed in Hastings, these limited edition designs (which also include ‘Resting Beach Face’), won’t be around for long!

Buy now

PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION PF60 Chew Bar, £9.99 (three bars)

£9.99

Sick of gels but need some quick carbs? These Chew Bars from Precision Fuel & Hydration could be the solution. The Chew Bar has a consistency not dissimilar to Turkish Delight and packs 60g of carbs into a bar weighing 68g. They’re intended to fuel strenuous endurance efforts, such as long bike rides or swims. However, chewing while swimming is challenging. We use them instead as a pre-swim energy boost, washed down with coffee. They also work well for an energy recharge between swims if you’re doing multiple sessions in a day, such as at a training camp. They’re not as quick to get down as a gels, but more satisfying.

Buy now

TRIHARD After-Swim Body Wash

£14.27

We regularly use TriHard’s Hair Comb-O to remove chlorine and saltwater and relieve irritation caused by pool chemicals, but this summer we’ve also been hooked on their After-Swim Body Wash, which has gentle exfoliating kernels to softly relieve skin discomfort while neutralising chlorine and hydrating the skin. It leaves our skin feeling so refreshed and clean!

Buy now

COLUMBIA KONOS TRS Outdry

£110

The design of this lightweight waterproof hiking shoe is inspired by the shape of a pinecone, the midsole cradling the heel for comfortable stability, the heel and forefoot cushioning impact while the outsole provides exceptional traction in wet and dry conditions. They’re ideal for travelling and swim hikes!

Buy now

CRAZY CREEK Hex 2.0 LongBack Chair

£79.95

This is such a clever idea and our non-swimmer pal appreciated it the most! While we were in the water, they happily sat riverside, comfortable and supported. It is so light and easy to carry clipped onto a backpack, perfect for picnics, camping and enjoying a moment with a hot drink after a cool swim.

Buy now

DECATHLON Swimsuits

£17.99-£24.99

The new summer range of versatile suits from Decathlon are affordable, comfortable and will work in the pool or open water. The simplicity of these suits is what makes them brilliant. They could be worn under a wetsuit, while sunbathing or on a longer swim. They might not be ideal for longer bodies, but the colours, fabric and styles are ideal for most swimmers. The Lio one-piece is perfect in open water.

Buy now

FINISTERRE Kaia 2mm Yulex® Swimsuit

£140

We love Finisterre’s new Kaia thermal swimsuit. Made with Yulex® 2.0 – the new, stretchier iteration of the plant-based alternative to neoprene – with flatlocked and zigzag stitched seams prevent it from slipping, it will keep you supported and toasty year-round. Plus, that print is everything!

Buy now

GROUNDTRUTH Cross Body Dry Sling

£73

Super simple and fully immersible, this waterproof sling bag is ideal for small items like a car key, mobile phone or medication while out on the water. We tested it wearing while swimming, as well as fully submerging and it was perfect. We wore it like a bum bag while swimming and it didn’t hinder our stroke, so when a tow float isn’t needed, this will be a go-to piece of kit. Also great for water paddle sports, worn as a sling bag.

Buy now

JARVI the Sauna Bottle

£24.95

Not just for sauna lovers! The natural cork and neoprene sleeve on this stylish Sauna Bottle (550ml or 1lt) keeps the double-walled insulated stainless steel bottle cool to touch and the water chilled even in a 90ºC sauna. It’s also great for keeping your water refreshingly cool during a training session in a too-warm pool.

Buy now

LAND&WATER Face Moisturiser, Hydrate & Restore

£32

This rich moisturiser is made with samphire, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, all of which can benefit dry, post-swim skin by deeply hydrating and replenishing moisture, which is often lost due to the effects of swimming in chlorinated or salt water. It smells lovely, too!

Buy now

LOVE LISSIE Leopard Print Leggings

£32.99

These super soft, high waisted leggings are supportive, durable and brilliantly comfortable. They are great for both running and yoga sessions, as well as being easy enough to slip on after a swim. Unlike any other leggings I have tried, these don’t slip down as you move or dig in at the waist. The reinforced seams give you the confidence to squat, stretch and move.

Buy now

OWN THE ADVENTURE Eco-Friendly Swim Trunks

£39.99

Ideal for fun open water swims and low-key training sessions. The bright colours attracted a lot of comments, in a good way. They feel well-made and the material is soft and light. Having metal eyelets for the drawstring is a nice touch as we’ve ripped the fabric on many a costume that don’t have these. The style sits in a sort of no-man’s land between jammers or briefs, but we know some people wear them for exactly this reason. We’ve heard a jammers edition is on the way so we’re looking forward to seeing that. 

Buy now

RED Quilted Lightweight Water-Resistant Adventure Blanket

£78.95

This is great as a blanket to sit on, sunbathe on or wrap around you. On the beach, sand slipped off it and on a damp day by the river the waterproof groundsheet kept our bums and kit dry! We loved the loops for pegging out on a windy day and the zipped secret pocket to hide keys away. It also packs up super small and is lightweight to carry.

Buy now

STREAM2SEA Reef Friendly Mask Defog

£12.95

We’re thrilled that Stream2Sea products are now available in the UK. This mask/goggle defog gel is the best we’ve tried and is also made from safe ingredients that won’t impact outdoor water environments or irritate your eyes. It works, as simple as that. We use it every time we go on a long swim and never need to worry about fog!

Buy now

OWN THE ADVENTURE Tie-Dye Swimsuit

£54.99

Made from 100% recycled polyester, OTA swimsuits come in a choice of three eye-popping prints – we loved the tie-dye. The suits also have a clever breast check reminder on the inside lining, so not only will you be reminded to check your boobs each time you swim, you’ll also be happy in the knowledge that a portion of your pennies will have gone to a good cause – Breast Cancer UK.

Buy now

PROTEIN WORKS, Sune

£29.99 (600g)

This plant-based protein shake is formulated specifically for women, with added probiotics, vitamins and minerals specifically designed to support women’s health to maintain hormone balance, cognitive function, energy levels and gut health. Each portion contains 20g of protein and it blends to a lovely thick texture.

Buy now

TAPPERMADE Seaweed Face Oil

From £11

Having recently switched from body lotion to an oil, we wanted similar for the face. Many lotions and creams contain additional chemicals, which are not water safe or environmentally friendly. This seaweed infused oil was moisturising, but not greasy. It smells fresh and aromatic, glides onto skin well and has become part of our daily skincare routine.

Buy now

TICKET TO THE MOON Upcycled Mini Backpack

£24.95

We threw this into the suitcase on a recent swim holiday as a ‘just in case’ bag and ended up using it daily. It’s such a great idea, light, small and simple design. It unfolds and was large enough to fit all our swim-kit. Despite its simplicity, it still has a little back pocket for valuables, and adjustable straps. Also great as an extra bag when doing grocery shopping!

Buy now

VOITED Outdoor Poncho 3.0

£95

We loved this super stylish, yet simple and practical poncho. This is lighter than big, cumbersome changing robes but still offers warmth and protection from the elements. The new waffle lining was perfect for absorbing water without feeling damp and cold underneath. It is lightweight enough to fold into itself, which is ideal for travel and big bonus, it is machine washable!

Buy now

All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews.

The post Outdoor swimming kit we love this summer appeared first on Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

Environmentalist Oly Rush has three big swims under his belt – a 100-mile Jurassic Coast swim, a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight and the fastest circumnavigation of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean, all raising awareness of plastic pollution in our oceans

In 2022, Dorset swimmer Oly Rush became the first person to swim non-stop around Grand Cayman in the Caribbean, setting a world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the island in 36 hours 59 minutes. “It began as a ‘I wonder if it’s possible’, and I think my naivety and childish enthusiasm ended up making it a reality,” says Oly, whose feat was captured in documentary film, The Grand Swim.  

A passionate environmentalist, Oly has a long-standing love affair with the sea. This was the third in a series of ‘big’ swims (which included a 100-mile, 10-day staged swim of the Jurassic Coast and circumnavigating the Isle of Wight), all aimed at raising awareness of ocean plastics and inspiring others to take action. “The impact we’re having on the ocean is something I have dedicated much of my time to fighting,” he told us. 

Before his Grand Cayman swim, Oly had been training as an endurance swimmer for three years, but it was still a big step up. In the run up, he was swimming 70km per week, putting in time at the gym, working on his mobility and tucking into a healthy diet. “That was just a physical side,” he says. “I was also still out on the beaches clearing plastics, reminding myself exactly why I was taking on the challenge.” 

Keeping one foot grounded in his motivation is central to completing the swims. “I think we all thrive when we have a purpose. And I can think of no better purpose than protecting something you love,” he says.  

After a quiet couple of years, Oly is gearing up to attempt the world’s longest non-tidal assisted open water swim – but making sure his swim will have an impact will be one of the deciding factors. “For me to even attempt to swim of that magnitude, there would need to be a real measurable environmental outcome in order to fuel a swim like that.” 

Watch ‘The Grand Swim’ for free on the Water Bear platform, waterbear.com. Follow Oly’s adventures at projectplanet.earth and on Instagram @projectplanet.earth.  

The post Champion of the waterways: endurance swimmer Oly Rush appeared first on Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

Coach Paul Eaglestone has put his winning formula into print. His new book Free Speed is out now – we find out why readers will love it

Tell us about your new book and why we will love it?

It’s written with triathletes in mind, but there is something for everyone. I wrote the book mainly for self-trained athletes. I tend to see, especially older athletes, go to a pool and focus on distance rather than quality. I always feel that one of my jobs as a coach is to make swimmers think about what they are doing and why. It covers technique and efficiency, but also how to train. Open water swimmers can learn and use tools and techniques in a pool environment which are transferable to outdoors, like how to use stroke count as a metric and how to reach a goal or target time by breaking it down into small chunks and adapting to pace over shorter intervals.

What is your relationship with swimming?

I started swimming as a kid when doctors recommended it for my asthma and did my first competition as an eightyear- old at Saxon Crown Swimming Club in South East London. I progressed to bigger clubs such as Orpington and Beckenham and had a go at Modern Pentathlon as well. I was a reasonable county level swimmer, then with the help of international coach, Doug Campbell, won a few Kent medals. In my 30s and 40s, I did masters swimming and got the 50m and 100m backstroke Kent records, but always felt my skill was as a coach. At the same time, I started doing triathlons, which is when I started open water swimming.

What are the most common issues with speed in the water?

The classic answer would be dropped elbow, slipping the water and not having a firm hold on it in the underwater propulsive phase. My advice to all swimmers is to focus on your catch and applying pressure on the water when your forearm is roughly vertical so you can almost feel the water as a solid object and that you are pushing yourself forward over it. Always try to keep your body in a streamlined position and keep non propulsion actions relaxed.

What has been your toughest swim and why?

A London triathlon in the Docklands, where I really pushed it. I came out of the water in second place only to find that the inner tube on my bike had exploded. Or a 100m backstroke race at the National Masters Championships where I completely emptied the tank. After, I said to my friends, “I would rather do Olympic distance triathlons rather than another 100m backstroke race.” It was so painful!

How does swimming inspire your writing?

Lockdown was a period where we couldn’t swim or coach at all, but it gave me the time and head space to translate years of experience, training and passion into words for Free Speed. I really wanted to simplify the science of swimming and make it accessible to all levels of athlete, especially those who often train without a coach. The book shows how training in a pool can help your open water swimming, assisting athletes to achieve their goals of becoming faster and more efficient swimmers.

Where is your favourite place to swim?

Tooting Bec Lido as you get the open water feel in a pool environment.

Can you tell us about the next project or event?

I’m currently working with my friend who was a British junior record holder on 400IM. After more than 30 years out of the water he made a comeback, aiming for open water masters events. I’m using the methods in the book, and we are working towards holding a sub 1:15/100m pace, ready for this year’s Nationals.

‘Free Speed: A Winning Formula For Swim Efficiency and Faster Triathlons’ (Meyer & Meyer Sport) is available now through all good bookstores and online retailers.

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Your swim travel essentials – and how to carry them – as recommended by the Outdoor Swimmer team

Whether you’re taking part in an event abroad or touring new lakes and coves, packing for a swim travel trip requires some forethought.

Make a list

We’ve found these items to be essential when packing for our swimming trips:

• Always pack at least two swimsuits, preferably three. One can dry while you wear another, and a third is always useful. If you’re taking hold luggage, put one in your hand-luggage.
• Take a spare pair of goggles: your old, reliable go-to pair plus a back up. Consider bringing one with clear lenses and one with tinted or polarised lenses, for different light conditions.
• A descent-sized cotton hammam style towel will dry quickly, doubles as a blanket and won’t shed microplastics like a microfibre towel.
• Either a multi-use shoe, something that can be worn in water, on land or to a cafe. Or a lightweight, roll-up water shoe to keep your feet protected at stony exit points.
• A warm layer. Materials like merino wool and bamboo have a great warmth to weight ratio, and are breathable, too.
• Environmentally-friendly sunscreen – a must when swimming, even on cloudy days. Mineral based sunscreens and zinc sticks contain less harmful ingredients than chemical sunscreens and are not linked to coral bleaching.

Kit for events

If you’re taking part in an event, check if there is any compulsory kit, such as tow floats or bright swim hats.

Think safety

Design your own mini first aid kit based on where you’ll be swimming. Consider items such as pain relief, plasters, antiseptic wipes, bite creams, friction creams, tick tweezers and hand sanitiser. Pack a couple of bright swim caps for visibility, a whistle and perhaps a small tow float.

Choose a bag carefully

Think about how you’ll be spending your days in and out of the water and choose a bag accordingly. Consider a wet-dry bag, which has waterproof sections for stashing your wet kit. Alternatively, bring a couple a dry bags to keep everything separate. Having a way to fix a damp costume to the outside of your bag is also useful.

Hand luggage only

It’s perfectly possible to go away for a weekend with hand-luggage only, even with a wetsuit, but you have to leave most of your other clothes behind! Bear in mind, though, there might be items that are hard to take through security such as sunscreen, anti-chafing cream and energy gels. If you’re taking a hold bag, pack your swimmers in your hand luggage in case it goes astray.

Swim travel products we love

Clever packing hacks, versatile layers and a post-swim pick me up

Passenger Compass Modular Clip On

£9.95

Always rooting about in a bag for your goggles? Pop them in this handy clip-on pocket bag and you’ll be ready for the water in no time. Alternatively, it’s great for phone, spare change and car keys.

Buy now

Wilds Yulex Body Warmer

£59.99

Add an additional layer of warmth to your core without having to pack a wetsuit with this bright and bold body warmer. The 3mm Yulex also provides extra buoyancy. It’s easy to pack, easy to wriggle in and out of, and it’s such a fun print!

Buy now

Keen Leiki Waterproof Hiking Shoe

£125

An ideal balance between lightweight and robust, the Leiki hiking shoe is waterproof yet breathable and great for riverside or coastal swim hikes. The womenspecific follows the contours of your feet and feels instantly snug and comfortable, while the cushioned foam sole feels suitably bouncy.

Buy now

Passenger Drop Recycled Wash Kit

£29.95

We love the bright aqua colour of this drop-down wash kit. With three compartments and a hanger, it’s ideal for a weekend away or a longer trip, and could just as easily carry swimming accessories or first aid basics as toiletries.

Buy now

Matador’s Flatpak Toiletry Bottle 3-Pack

£39.95

A simple, yet brilliant idea. These are ideal for camping or travelling light. Fill them with anything you need and then write the label to remind you what’s inside. You can clip and hang them when in use and they slide easily into any bag.

Buy now

Peak Drip Coffee Bags, Box of 10

£19.90

If you are fussy about your coffee, then you will love these coffee bags for on the go. Not only are they super practical and brilliantly designed, they make a flavorful proper coffee. The single-serve drip is perfectly proportioned and the packets are ideal for slipping into swim bags with a flask of hot water.

Buy now

All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews. Lead photo: Unsplash

The post How to pack for swim travel appeared first on Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

From sinking to swimming, reader Luke Richards learns how to go the distance

I sink. I don’t mean I can’t swim; I can rescue myself when I get into trouble. I mean I literally sink. My legs just want to pull me to the centre of the earth.

The first time I got into a river with my partner, Rachel, she didn’t believe me. “Everyone can float,” she said as we prepared to swoosh. After five minutes, she was aghast that I did indeed sink. I struggled my way for a kilometre down the river, using her tow float as a flotation device, but it was a kind of an awakening. It was June, the river was chilly (to me) but I remembered my love of being in the water, despite my lack of buoyancy.

This was the start of my coldwater journey. It was from this point I ended up in a body of water every week that I could. I would plunge into lakes, the sea, lidos, and Rachel said I would sometimes eye up a large puddle. I was brute forcing my buoyancy. I work at a desk in cyber security, so the idea of just attacking the problem until it worked was what I was aiming for. But I still wasn’t a strong swimmer. I was doing 80s breaststroke, never got my head in the water and basically just kept myself afloat. I figured maybe just being in the water, I would improve, and I sort of did. I was getting better at being used to lower temperatures. I did my Christmas dips, my New Year’s swim and by March I had a Penguin award. I was definitely an open water swimmer now…

Rachel suggested I enter the Bournemouth Pier-to- Pier swim event, which is a 1.4-mile (2.45km) swim from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier in Dorset. It sounded like a fun challenge and something I could achieve. I signed up for a local pool membership, then worked out how many lengths I would have to be able to swim the distance, which was 90 lengths! In my first week I did six and I felt like I was dead. I could barely lift my arms after that first swim. I remember looking at the task ahead of me, the monumental distance I had to cover, it seemed insurmountable. I had a training plan; it added six lengths per week. But that second week felt even worse than my first. I had to do 12 lengths, that was twice as much! Surely, I couldn’t do that?! But I got in, and with a few stops I did it, I pushed myself and I kept going.

I went to Portishead Lido and I practiced in the cold, which takes your energy fast! But I kept persisting. I got some new goggles, and I was shocked at how much they helped. I could properly get my head under when I was on the glide part of my stroke. I improved so much after that. I remember being in the pool, and one of the ladies there (who are incredible, honestly, they put me to shame) commented on seeing me swim at the beginning of my journey, and she said: “You look like a swimmer now”. It was such a huge compliment that I am taking that with me to the sea.

I have now hit my donation target of £500, thanks to friends, family, and a community of people online. I’ve also gotten close to the 2.45km needed in the pool. In fact, in the next few days I should be up to 90 lengths. I am getting more confident day by day and now believe that I can not only do this swim, but in general, I CAN swim. I’m now getting to the point where I am trying to take my distance technique to the sea, to work out how well I can transfer that skill. It’s a process, but with the help of my partner I know I can do this. Rachel has been my champion, my advocate, and my coach; I couldn’t ask for better. I still sink, it’s like a party trick to show swimmers: “Oh hey, you know Luke? Legs denser than a dying star, that’s him.” But now I count myself amongst the swimmers of the world. I am not winning any medals for speed, but I will get one for going the distance.

Luke will be tackling his first swim event this July. You can show your support by sponsoring him: justgiving.com/page/lukepier2pier-25

The post My swim story: Luke Richards appeared first on Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

Warm weather, more sunlight and nutrient-rich waters create ideal conditions for blue-green algae to thrive. Would you know what to look out for in your local swimming spot?

As we head into summer, warm weather, more sunlight and nutrient-rich waters create ideal conditions for blue-green algae to thrive and grow rapidly – troublesome for swimmers and pets who want to take a dip. But would you know what to look out for?

What is blue-green algae?

Algae are naturally forming, found in all water bodies and are an essential part of aquatic life. The same goes for blue-green algae.

“The algae’s ability to control its own buoyancy means that during bright sunny weather, the algae migrate to the surface layer of lakes and still waters,” says Alison Holmes, one of the Environment Agency’s Environment Monitoring Specialists based in Cumbria.

“During long periods of settled, sunny and warm weather with little or no wind, blue-green algae can multiply to such an extent that blooms can form. In the right conditions, gentle breezes can move it into bays where it’s more visible.”

But when does blue-green algae become dangerous?

“Bloom and scum forming blue-green algae can produce toxins,” says Alison. “These toxins can be harmful to people and animals. Not all blue-green algae blooms are toxic, but you can’t tell by looking at them, so it’s best to assume they are.”

“Affected water bodies may appear green, blue-green or greenish brown, and can produce musty, earthy or grassy odours,” says Alison. “Blooms can also cause foaming on the
shoreline and the water can become less clear.”

In humans, blue-green algae blooms have been known to cause rashes, eye irritation, vomiting or other illnesses if swallowed. It pays to know what to look out for and to go with your gut.

“If it doesn’t look right, move to where the water is clearer,” says Alison.

What to do if you spot an algal bloom

If you spot an algal bloom, you can report it to the Environment Agency by calling their 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 807060 or reporting it via the Blooming Algae App. Swimmers in Cumbria and Lancashire can also consult a map of confirmed blooms via the Environment Agency’s Water Hub.

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Every swimmer loves a hotel with a pool, but Fritton Lake offers so much more for open water enthusiasts, Ella Foote discovers more

Shortly after arriving at Fritton Lake on the Norfolk-Suffolk border in East Anglia I discovered it was possible to swim between the counties by simply swimming across the width of the lake – an appealing goal for a weekend waterside.

Fritton Lake is a private members club and holiday resort that is popular with those who love the outdoors with a dose of comfort. The estate is home to a 1,000- acre rewilding project which puts nature at the forefront of everything the team does, including protecting and restoring the land and reconnecting people to wildlife. You can stay in a range of accommodation, which includes boutique style hotel rooms at the Clubhouse, stylish cabins in the woods or a self-catered cottage all within walking distance to the estate facilities.

As well as many leisure highlights on offer at Fritton, you are also a short distance from the coast for further swimming opportunities and adventures. However, there isn’t much need to leave the estate at all with an outdoor heated swimming pool, floating sauna, bio-gym, swimming lake and various other outdoor activities. We stayed in one of the farm cottages, which offered self-catering style accommodation. Perched on the edge of the land, it gave us a peep at the lake and an abundance of wildlife on our doorstep.

Our long weekend started with a swim in the heated pool, which washed away our car journey and anchored us into the pace of life at Fritton. We cooked in our cottage and had everything we needed to make a family meal before snuggling into super-comfy beds ready for a few days of activity and adventure.

If you are a morning person and like to rise with the birds, this is the place to do it. Birdsong fills the air each day and we witnessed barn owls hunting in the grassland outside our bedroom windows in the mornings. The lake is open in daylight hours for casual plunges or longer swims. You can join group lifeguarded and coached sessions if you want some extra support or advice. Swimming Coach Nicola Butler hosts swimming sessions in the lake, pool and in the sea in nearby Lowestoft, offering both group and 1-2-1 guidance if you want to polish up your skills while on holiday. We spent much of our time switching between lake swims and the pool.

If you like to be on the water as well as in it, there are also numerous ways to spend time with paddleboards, row boats and walking routes around the lake. While you can easily spend time across the estate doing your own thing, there are also activities and excursions you can book onto, popular with families, such as shelter building, foraging and Jeep Safari. If you like your rest while away, I can recommend you book into the treatment rooms for a variety of therapies – the hot stone massage was wonderful.

We made full use of our private garden and barbecue at our farm cottage but also enjoyed breakfast, lunch and an evening meal at the clubhouse while we stayed. The food offered is locally produced either from the estate or sourced from nearby locations. The Sunday roast is popular with the locals, but we loved the breakfast and bar meals at lunch. Kids are welcomed and celebrated at Fritton with plenty on offer for them, our kid didn’t want to leave the pool and devoured multiple burgers over the weekend – it was a pleasure to see him enjoy himself in the safety of the estate.

They say, “once in Fritton, forever smitten” and they are not wrong. It is the perfect place for solo swim escapes, family fun or a place to catch up with swim pals. Book a wild swimming escape or a longer stay. If you’re local, you can become a member and make use of the facilities, including pool and swimming lake, too!

To book or for more information visit frittonlake.co.uk

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As saunas pop up alongside beaches, rivers and lakes across the UK, author Emma O’Kelly chooses 10 of her favourite locations from her new guide book for swimmers looking to balance cold dips with a dose of heat

Kishtey Cheh, Isle of Man

Founded by Liam Wiltshire, a surfer who discovered sauna on a trip to Ireland, Kishtey Çheh means ‘hotbox’ in Manx. It’s an appropriate name for this bijou beach sauna, perched on the sands at Port Erin. One barrel sauna was followed by another, and wood-fired hot tub and cold plunges. But the sea provides the best cold dip of all; with its gentle waves and white sands, Port Erin is one of the island’s finest beaches. A one-kilometer swim across the bay, from the harbour to a derelict Victorian tidal pool in the cliffs, takes in clean blue waters and views to Milner’s Tower on the promontory at Bradda Head. This was built in Victorian times as a place of quiet contemplation. It still is. No one stops you scrambling up its stone staircase and looking out to Northern Ireland, to the mountains of Mourne. For those in search of post-sauna beach snacks, The Cosy Nook café and Foraging Vintners offers great food and famous sparkling rhubarb wine. kishteycheh.im

Shoreline Sauna, Dorset

Despite its 1950s pastel colours, and retro look, the Shoreline Sauna is easy to miss, tucked away by the kayaks and paddle boards on the main beach at Lyme Regis. A cold bath is a fresher option than the balmy sea in summer, though the waters are mostly calm and sheltered all year round. Former customer and wild swimmer Louise Roberts loved Shoreline so much she bought it, and has now tapped into a whole new local community she never knew was there. Special sessions include full moon saunas with whisking and Lou’s homemade eucalyptus body scrubs. This September, local swim group Lyme Splash will organise a 3.15km swim from Lyme Regis to Charmouth; those who fancy swimming a few extra miles to Seatown can head on to the Seaside Sauna Haus to warm up. shorelinesauna.co.uk

Cellardyke, Fife

The Cellardyke Tidal Pool had been a jewel on Scotland’s Fife Coastal Path since the 1930s but in recent years it had fallen into decline. That was until a band of locals formed the Tidal Pool Committee and raised £100,000 to restore it. The first two phases of restoration work are now complete, with a newly renovated pool, an outdoor activity centre and a communityoriented sauna in operation. The latter is owned by Judith Dunlop, a ‘saunapreneur’ who owns Scottish Seaside Saunas and runs sister sites in Elie and St Andrews. Cellardyke has a tangible buzz; hugely popular with locals and tidal pool tourists, there’s an Airstream selling coffees and snacks and a wood-fired pizza hut, too. cellardykeseasidesauna.com

Pool Bridge Farm, Yorkshire

For years the lakes at Pool Bridge Farm were one of the best fisheries in the north of England. Today, the lakes form part of 137 acres of rewilded land outside York, and are one of the area’s best wild swimming spots. Facebook group The Pool Bridge Farm Swimmers has more than 8,000 members and, to service them, three saunas are discreetly situated around one of the site’s four lakes. One of them was a shepherd’s hut with no roof that had been on the farm since 1911. It was converted by Pool Bridge Farm co-owner Mike Fletcher into a dark, intimate space seating six. This was quickly followed by two barrel saunas. Bathers pay for an hour’s sauna session, but can stay to swim and relax by the lakes all day. There is also a six-acre campsite, ideal for tents and small campervans, while other spaces offer paddleboarding and kayaking (you need to bring your own), and lessons for those who want them, and one lake is lit for winter morning and evening swimming. Also on offer are wellness weekends, sound bath sessions, meditation, moon swims with fire pits, yoga, breath work, ladies’ skinny-dipping sessions, a café open from Wednesday to Sunday – and even a choir. poolbridge.co.uk

Saltbox, Outer Hebrides

Travelling between Lewis, Harris and Uig, Saltbox is the only wood-fired sauna in the Outer Hebrides. It’s the brainchild of Norma MacLeod, an STA Open Water Coach and excompetitive swimmer based in Stornoway. In 2019 Norma co-founded Immerse Hebrides, which runs retreats and swim tours and boat trips around the islands. She knows all the beauty spots, and servicing them with a mobile sauna was a natural next step. What she has created is the very definition of a wild sauna – often there are no toilets or running water – but that doesn’t stop bathers who like their nature raw. Saltbox is touching down permanently on North Uist and is sure to pop up on other islands soon. saltboxsauna.co.uk

Watershed, Moray

Elle Adams and Rupert Hutchinson were sitting in their freezing flat in Findhorn early in 2022 trying to work out a “Scottish winter survival strategy”. They saw a horsebox advertised on Gumtree and bought it – impulsively and in the dark. They parked it in a friend’s garden and, with his help, converted it into a sauna. Elle charted their progress online and her friends started asking if they could get warm, too, when it was finished. In 2022, Watershed Sauna opened above the eight-mile long East Findhorn Beach. What started as the couple’s side hustle has turned into a landmark project, and an inspiration for many younger sauna operators. Made from recycled local wood, and painted black, it stands strikingly among grasses, gorse, sand and sea. Firewood is locally sourced, the granite stones for the stove were collected from the banks of the River Findhorn and only locally produced pine or juniper berries are used in essential oils. When you book a session at Watershed you can buy a seat for someone in need and the Winter Wellness Program provides subsidised spots for local residents. A fun addition is ‘sauna bingo’ where bathers can spot nine different sights and species – among them a basking shark, a dolphin and an osprey. Every completed bingo card wins two free seats. watershedsauna.com

Soulwater, Edinburgh

In 2022, Kirsty Carver opened her horsebox sauna, Soulwater, on Edinburgh’s Portobello Beach. Such is its popularity that a second, bigger, Soulwater wild spa followed in Granton this year. Here, two saunas hold 24 people while cold plunges made from beer fermentation cylinders ensure this wild spa feels wild. It’s easy to take a plunge into the sea, and enjoy windswept views of the Firth of Forth and post-industrial landscapes. There’s a Sunday Sauna Club and a range of events from ADHD support sessions to aufguss and full moon saunas. Next to the Granton site is The Pitt, a not-for-profit community outfit encompassing a food market, coffee shops, bars and a music and events space. soulwatersauna.com

Hot Haus, Guernsey

Since 1865, the La Vallette bathing pools in St Peter Port have provided safe, free sea swimming to everyone on the island of Guernsey, including eminent visitors such as the writer Victor Hugo and painter Pierre Auguste Renoir. After years of neglect, in 2019, the pools were renovated with new toilets, a cafe and award-winning design. Now they’re enjoyed by the thousands of wild swimmers who also congregate on Guernsey’s 22 swimming beaches. Among these is Kirstie Allen, founder of Hot Haus sauna. A former health and fitness consultant, Kirstie got into cold water swimming when she moved to Guernsey. Granted a sevenyear lease, she runs Hot Haus from a grassy verge opposite the La Vallette pools. Views stretch to the tiny islands of Sark, Herm and (on a good day) Jersey. hothaus.gg

‘Wild Sauna: the best outdoor saunas in Britain’ is out now (£18.99). Readers can receive 20% off and free P&P with code OS20 at wildthingspublishing.com

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Mental Health Swims Community Engagement Manager Sarah Groves updates us as she finishes week 12 of training in preparation for end-to-end Windermere swim

As I write this, it’s a Sunday evening and I’ve just finished week 12 of my training plan. I’m now heading into a wonderful rest week while I go on holiday to Portugal and there are no training swims on the agenda. Thinking about it, it’s actually going to be pretty strange not doing any swimming, seeing as I’ve been swimming 3-4 times a week since February! Who am I kidding, I’m definitely going to find somewhere to dip at least, and before I go away I’m heading to the Hampstead Heath mixed ponds for the first time for a special one-off Mental Health Swims dip.

After my trip, the training plan starts getting more serious and, with open water season well and truly here, it’s time to grab my tow float, my snacks and my goggles, leave all dignity at the shore and get swimming.

I feel nervous if I’m honest. Every season fears of monsters and unknown depths kicks in and I feel panic rising in my chest. The first few moments when I put my head under often results in me coming straight back up and gasping for air. It’s something I have to work through and I try not to give myself a hard time about it as it’s quite a normal reflex, but it takes a lot to calm down and focus.

Sometimes the change in sunlight in the water below spooks me too. It can go from fairly bright with beautiful bubbles all around and the illusion of sparkling rays rising up from below, to deep dark green with limited visibility. It’s like someone has turned the lights off and left me in the dark.

Meanwhile, the pool sessions aren’t completely done. I’m still going twice a week to work on speed sets and I’ve grown to love them: arms turning fast, legs kicking hard and finishing in a breathless heap as I cling to the side of the pool. I’ve really enjoyed having a focus in the pool and breaking swims up into sets of varying speeds and distances. I have also been fortunate enough to train in two wonderful pools so far: the 50m pool at UB Sport and Fitness in Birmingham and the pool at Bro Ddyfi leisure centre in Machynlleth, which has friendly and welcoming staff and a lovely community of swimmers.

With a number of 5kms under my belt, my shoulders are sore and I know it’s only going to get harder from here on in. Bring it on!

Found out more about Sarah’s Windermere swim at instagram/adventure_sair and givewheel.com/fundraising/6312/sarah-swims-windermere/

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Simon Griffiths shares how to make the most of your next swim abroad

Taking part in a swimming event in a foreign country is exciting but challenging. The right preparation and planning will help you make the most of the experience.

Start by imagining yourself on the start line. The sense of excitement is the same. The smells of neoprene and wetsuit lubricant are familiar. And the hum of nervous chatter is similar.

But everything is different too. When you listen closely, you realise you don’t understand what people around you are saying. There are fewer, if any, faces in the crowd that you recognise (although you keep thinking you should). The swimmers’ wetsuits don’t match the brands and styles you usually see back home. The briefing is incomprehensible. If you usually swim in the UK, it’s probably warmer than you’re used to. It may feel a little disorganised – but that could be because you don’t know what is going on.

I love racing in other countries. Taking part in a local swim is a step up from a regular tourist visit. Your otherness as a foreigner is compensated for by the shared identity of being a swimmer. The thrill of racing is supercharged by the adventure and unfamiliarity of travel. The satisfaction of completing a swim is doubled because you’ve also had to overcome the not insignificant challenge of getting to the start line.

Getting there

The first hurdle is finding a suitable event and entering. We list some international events in Outdoor Swimmer but there are hundreds more. You’ll need to do your research. You may have to navigate a foreign language website and make a payment in a different currency. Not always straightforward, but it’s part of the adventure. Google translate can help but it isn’t perfect. I recommend emailing the event organiser. They will usually be delighted to help.

Swim events are often in beautiful locations. If you can spare the time, it’s worth factoring in a couple of days either side of your swim to acclimatise, recover from jetlag and explore – it’s also good to have a margin in case your travel is disrupted.

However, try not to do too much the day before your swim. I once spent eight hours walking around Budapest in the rain before a triathlon. It was interesting and I saw a lot of the city, but I didn’t race well afterwards.

Other practicalities

Check if there are any special requirements. In France, I was asked to prove membership of either Swim England or British Triathlon in order to race. Failing that, I would have needed a note from a doctor saying I was fit to swim. In Italy, I had to return a medical form. But not everywhere is so strict.

Review your travel insurance and ensure it covers you for open water swimming events. And check again even if it did in the past. The standard travel insurance I get with my bank account no longer covers swimming events. While the risk of something going wrong in a swim is low, the costs could be significant.

Then, pay attention to the event rules. If tow floats are compulsory, do you need to bring your own? Does your costume or wetsuit need to carry a QR code showing it’s approved by World Aquatics?

For longer swims, bring your own nutrition. While gels and other energy products might be provided, you shouldn’t rely on these. Unfamiliar brands may play havoc with your stomach. And do you need to plan ahead for your pre-swim breakfast? If you’re staying in a hotel, you may find they don’t serve breakfast early enough for your swim start. Bringing a bag of oats may seem odd, but I’ve done it many times – and it’s a lifesaver for early swim starts.

Swim prep

It’s always useful to familiarise yourself with the course before a swim. It’s even more important in an unknown environment. Bear in mind you may not be able to understand the volunteers and safety crew – asking for directions may not help. I look out for people who might be swimmers (they’re usually easy to spot) and ask for local tips.

Similarly, if you don’t understand the race briefing, just ask another participant. It normally doesn’t take long to find someone who speaks enough English to summarise for you. If you still have doubts, let the race organiser know.

Dealing with the unknown

My most painful jellyfish sting came from an event in Italy. Swimming in the Atlantic near Madeira made me worry about sharks. Going anywhere new introduces you to hazards you don’t find at home. My take on it is, if local people are happy to swim, why shouldn’t I be? Although I do appreciate that people have different risk tolerances.

Make a point of finding out what the local hazards are and take suitable precautions. Do you, for example, need to be careful where you put your feet to avoid sea urchins? Should you shuffle walk into the sea in case there are stingrays? Also, don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun.

Feel the fear

Taking on a race in another country is daunting. Not only do you have to do the swim, which may already be challenging, but you have to deal with a new culture, a strange language, and the stress of travel. On the plus side, you will be warmly welcomed as a fellow swimmer, enjoy a unique travel experience and, hopefully, have a wonderful time.

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