Outdoor Swimmer  |  July 21
Welcome to the Mind Matters issue, which includes a special focus on men and men’s mental health. Outdoor swimming is one of the few sports that is dominated by women, but in the July issue we meet inspiring men from the outdoor swimming community to talk mental health, motivation and open water.
We are very excited to talk to Linford Christie OBE, one of the most highly decorated British athletes of all-time. The former Olympic sprinter took to the open water in 2019 to attempt an English Channel relay. We met him to find out about his new interest in outdoor swimming and what is behind his success.
Last September, suicide rates in England and Wales hit a two-decade high, with men accounting for almost three-quarters of all suicide deaths. We meet the Icebreakers, a group using cold water swimming to support men's mental health.
In May, triple-amputee and former Royal Marine Mark Ormrod MBE completed a 1km sea swim – read about how he aims to inspire people with his successes.
And we talk to James Pittar, the first blind swimmer to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
Plus, exploring waterfalls, the truth behind eco-friendly sunscreen, the revolution in women’s swimwear, the frontline workers finding solace in outdoor swimming, the “Shock to the System” pool training session, guided wild swim days, post-swim stretches, France’s hidden wild swim spots, goggles and jammers on test, how to plan a safe wild swim, how to best use your legs when swimming freestyle, where to swim outdoors in London, and the nine-year-old who says ““I felt swimming indoors was getting boring so I decided to give outdoor swimming a try and I love it!”
read more
read less
Outdoor Swimmer magazine exists to help you make the most of swimming outdoors.
If you want to boost your confidence in open water, improve your swimming, discover new swimming events and locations, and stay up to date with what’s happening in outdoor swimming, join our global community of swimmers today. We’re committed to:
Helping you expand your swimming horizons and reach your swimming goals
Showing you the best places to swim, from quick dips to long-distance challenges
Keeping you safe in the water and helping you access the health and wellbeing benefits of outdoor swimming
Answering your questions on swimming technique and training
Reporting on and supporting campaigns for cleaner water and better access for swimmers
- Guarantee of inspiring outdoor swimming features and advice
- Free access to the Swimrunner supplement
- Links to the latest downstream podcast created by the team behind Outdoor Swimmer
- Easy to read, mobile friendly magazine
You'll receive 12 issues during a 1 year Outdoor Swimmer magazine subscription.
Note: Digital editions do not include the covermount items or supplements you would find with printed copies.
Articles in this issue
Below is a selection of articles in Outdoor Swimmer July 21.