Open water swimming competitions are exhilarating challenges that demand unique skills and endurance. Unlike pool swimming, open water events present swimmers with unpredictable conditions, varying temperatures, and no pool walls.  A comprehensive workout plan is essential to conquer the vastness of open water. In this blog post, TriSwim will guide you through a program designed for individuals preparing for open water swimming competitions, focusing on endurance, technique, and mental preparation. Building Endurance: The Foundation of Open Water Success Endurance is the backbone of ..read more

Addressing common fears associated with open water swimming and providing practical tips and psychological strategies for overcoming anxiety. Plunging into the world of open water swimming is as exhilarating as it is intimidating. The sheer mass of the water, the fluctuating conditions and the absence of pool boundaries can all be unnerving. If you find your anticipation of swimming in the open water overshadowed by worry, know this – you’re not alone. This guide is here to arm you with insights as well as practical and psychological strategies to conquer open water anxiety. Open water swim ..read more

Once the colder months arrive, you may hear open-water swimmers talk about the ‘afterdrop’ – but what exactly is it, how can you manage it and why is it important to be aware of it? In this blog, we give you the practical info you need, as well as asking one of our experts, Professor Mike Tipton, to explain exactly what is happening to your body…   How to recognize the After Drop So how does the afterdrop affect open-water swimmers and how can you recognise it? It’s most noticeable once water temperatures drop under 15°C (officially classified as cold water here in the UK ..read more

What should be in your kitbag?   Here is what I recommend to be in your kitbag for beginning your training in 2023 (for those looking to manage weight via swimming, training for a triathlon or open water event, or anyone looking to improve technique) 1. Leg Buoy. This does NOT need to be a chunking-great leg buoy, just a simple Speedo/low foam leg buoy that costs roughly £8-£12 on Amazon or Wiggle.   2. Hand Paddles. I could write a whole section on hand paddles, what each one is designed to do and why you should burn and send back to hell the dinner plates that you stick ..read more

This is going to be a different type of blog. This blog is very much written from the heart, from Laura to you. We sent a tweet earlier, encouraging people from all walks of life to join us in swimming, we received a reply that simply read, “I am ashamed of my body”, and it made me stop dead in my tracks and immediately resonated with me on a very deep level. I have always struggled to love my body. From being a young woman with societal pressures, to becoming a mother and all the extra lumps and bumps this creates, and now moving into my middle age where everything begins to go squishy… I st ..read more

This month, one of our open water TriSwim swimmers, Alex Crawford completed a Jersey to France night swim in an official time of 6:32 hours; read about his adventure. “The Jersey to France swim is a 15 nautical miles (18 statute miles or 28km) channel swim similar (but shorter) to the English Channel swim. The swim has to start and finish on the beach, with an average swim time of 7.5 to 10 hours. To be allowed to do the J2F swim, you must complete a 6-hour continuous swim in open water at 16 degrees or less (same qualification as the English Channel). To prepare for this, I spent wint ..read more

Cold, or wild, water swimming has become an increasingly popular option for those looking to feel great – in their mind, body, and spirit. But if this is your first time hearing about the hobby, it might be tough to know if it’s right for you. Let’s take a closer look at exactly what it involves, as well as all the benefits for those who take the plunge. What is Cold Water Swimming? Cold water swimming is the process of submerging yourself in natural bodies of cold or even icy water, with the purpose of achieving positive therapeutic and physical side-effects. While the name might spark ..read more

Summer holidays bring fond memories of basking in the sun and spending time in the sea for many of us. Water-play is a brilliant and fun activity for all ages, but it’s vital that as parents we understand the associated risks. Whether you come across a river or lake in the woods, or are at the ocean’s edge on the beach – both you and your children need to know how to stay safe around the water. This quick guide will outline some important aspects of preventing drowning and protecting your children when they are in the water. Know the Signs When people drown in real life, it doesn’t look ..read more

  The Power of Exercising with Friends: The Benefits of Swimming   Working out with your friends is a lot more enjoyable than exercising alone. Swimming with a group of friends is an excellent way to stay motivated and on track with your fitness goals. Aside from the obvious physical health benefits of swimming, research has shown that there are tremendous social, emotional, and psychological benefits to exercising with friends. In this blog post, we’ll explore five scientifically-proven benefits of swimming with friends, including socioeconomic benefits, and we’ll discuss some o ..read more

The Allure of Open Water Swimming: Exploring Its Social and Health Benefits As summer heats up, the call of the water becomes stronger each day. While many choose to bask on the beach or cool off under the shade of a tree, others are drawn to the thrill of open water swimming. There’s just something about swimming in uncharted territory that captures the heart and soul. In this blog post, we delve into what makes open water swimming so popular, exploring the social and health benefits of this aquatic sport.   For open water swimmers, the thrill lies in the unpredictability of the acti ..read more