Dear fellow swimmers A recurring theme each spring when I bring my wetsuit out of storage and put it on again for the first time is the feeling that it’s shrunk. Whatever the reason for that, the first couple of swims are tiring. The extra resistance around my shoulders is noticeable; my balance in the water is off. It takes a couple of swims to adapt and get back into the swing of the new open water season. But before I even get into the water, I always do a spring review of my open water swimming kit. I investigate my wetsuit for any damage, checking the zip opens and closes easily and repairing small cuts with wetsuit glue before they get worse. I also check my goggles. I find I can get away with old and scratched goggles in the pool as long as I can see the walls and the black line at the bottom but in open water, it’s more important to have good clear vision above the water for navigation and the avoidance of
obstacles. Finally, the basics covered, I consider if I should invest in a few extras to make the new season easier or more fun. As we enter the new open water season, we’ve compiled this special edition of The Dip to help you check if your open water swimming kit is ready for the open water season, with guides to choosing a new wetsuit and reviews of useful gear like water shoes, masks and neoprene accessories. We also have tips for taking your front crawl outside, overcoming a fear of open
water and finding a long lasting motivation to make your swims easier and more fulfilling.
Whenever you choose to re-enter the water, a reminder to start your open water training gradually with short swims until you get used to the temperature and longer distances. Finally, to celebrate the launch of the second part of our Outdoor Swimmer x Zoggs video series, asking
'How do I choose a wetsuit for open water swimming?' Zoggs is offering a free pair of Predator Flex goggles worth £42 with the purchase of any Zoggs wetsuit when you use the code FREEPRED at checkout.
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Sign up to The One for the Planet - Powered by Climategames! Taking place at Dorney Lake, Windsor on the 16th June, The One for the Planet is a multi-sport event with something for everyone - triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, aquaswim, run, and swim events. Plus every activity will fund environmental projects including removing plastic from the ocean and coral reef restoration, so you can save the planet while you swim!
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What’s the motivation behind your open water swimming goal?
When you set your open water swimming goals, what really matters is your underlying reasons, says Simon Griffiths. Don’t stop at deciding on your goal – dive deeper. Read more... |
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Is it time for a spring review of your open water swimming kit?
How to check if your open water swimming kit is ready for the open water season, how to repair a wetsuit and when is it time to invest in some new gear? Read more... |
NEW KIT FOR THE NEW SEASON |
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WATER SHOES Lightweight, insulated or easy to slip on pre- or post-swim – read our guide to water shoes and neoprene socks for
outdoor swimmers.
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OPEN WATER MASKS Panoramic vision, optimum comfort and protection from wildlife and the elements: masks can offer a real
benefit to open water swimmers.
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TOW FLOATS Keep hydrated, protect your valuables and stay seen: a tow float is a trusty companion in open water. Choose your
perfect buoy with our expert guide.
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NEOPRENE ACCESSORIES Thermal socks, fleece-lined caps and baselayers: we review some of the best neoprene accessories (and natural
rubber alternatives) for keeping you warm.
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HOW DO I CHOOSE A WETSUIT FOR OPEN WATER SWIMMING? A good wetsuit for open water swimming will offer key features like, a level of thickness depending on need, buoyancy, flexibility, good fit, durability and reliable details like zipper and closure. Ask yourself, what kind of swimming do you want to do? What stroke are you swimming? Are you doing long-distance swimming or mostly short, leisure swims? What is your
budget? As an Outdoor Swimmer Magazine subscriber, you can get a free pair of Predator Flex goggles worth £42 with the purchase of any Zoggs wetsuit when you use the code FREEPRED at
checkout.
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TRAINING TIPS FOR THE NEW SEASON |
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TAKE YOUR FRONT CRAWL OUTSIDE Adapt your swimming to open water: sighting and navigation. Simon Griffiths has your
guide.
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OVERCOME A FEAR OF OPEN WATER Jonathan Cowie muses on the perils of outdoor swimming, and how to overcome a sudden feeling of panic
in the water
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TRAINING IN OPEN WATER With the water getting warmer, it’s time to take your training back to the open water, says Jonathan
Cowie.
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HOW TO CARRY YOUR PHONE Want to capture your new season swims, but don't know the best way to take your camera? Here's our
solution.
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Outdoor Swimmer – the magazine for adventurous swimmers |
Expand your swimming horizons and achieve your swimming dreams.
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APRIL 2024 - THE TRAVEL ISSUE
- Something to declare! We celebrate 21 years of swimming holidays and find out how they can bring you more joy than ever before.
- Explore Split in Croatia, Guernsey, Exmoor and North Devon, Loch Linnhe in Scotland – plus, our pick of thermal pools around the world.
- On test: open water and prescription goggles,
period swimwear.
- Mercedes Gleitze’s historic 1927 Gibraltar Strait crossing.
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WIN a 3-day swim retreat for you and a friend (worth £800)
This fantastic prize from Somerset Swim Retreats includes a 3-day swim retreat for two people, with breakfast and dinners, unlimited access to the natural swimming pond, wood-fired sauna and jacuzzi, plus guided sea swims with qualified coaches. Enter now... |
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WIN a Deakin & Blue bundle
To celebrate the launch of Deakin & Blue’s beautiful new Deadstock collection, we are offering readers a chance to win a fantastic prize bundle comprising a £100 D&B gift voucher, Keep It Dry Bag and D&B
Tote. Enter now... |
SWIMATHON 2024 (400m to 30.9km)
26-28 April | various location
Find out more... KESWICK MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL (750m, 1.5km,
3.6km)
17-19 May | Derwentwater, Lake District
Find out more... ULTRASWIM 33.3 #3 CROATIA (33.3km over 4 days)
17-20 May | Stari Grad, Croatia
Find out
more... GAELFORCE GREAT RIVER SWIM (5.8km, 3.1km, 800m) 18 May | Lanesborough, Co. Longford, Ireland
Find out more... GREATER MANCHESTER SWIM! (500m, 1 mile, 3 miles) 18 May | Dock 9, Salford Quays
Find out more... BEST Fest 2024 (7 swims over 7
days: 5k, 1.9/3.8k, 1.5k, 2.5k, 3k, 7/10k and 4x500m)
25 May | Colonia Sant Jordi, Mallorca, Spain
Find out more... Great North Swim (250m, half male, 1 mile, 2 miles, 5km, 10km) 7-9 June | Windermere, Lake District
Find out more... 24-hr Swim Relays (24hr challenge) 8 June | Shepperton 15 June | Clevedon 22 June | Bedford
Find out more... Browse our full list of events. To promote your event here, please email [email protected]. |
TIP OF THE WEEK: ASK YOURSELF 'WHY THIS GOAL?' I’ve been speaking with some Swim Mentoring clients recently about setting goals, and also looking at my own goals for 2024.
I’ve then asked both myself and my clients, why have you picked this goal? This starts to probe at the underlying reasons that we swim. This, in turn, helps clarify whether your
short term goal supports the bigger picture of swimming in your life. It’s interesting too that setting goals can be both a motivational tool to do more swimming and an excuse to keep doing the swimming you already do.
Simon Griffiths Founder & Publisher, Outdoor Swimmer Main photo: Orca
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