Outdoor Swimmer Magazine

The May issue of Outdoor Swimmer invites readers into the enchanting, otherworldly realm of night swimming—an experience as vital for endurance athletes as it is magical for the curious. Beneath darkened skies, familiar waters transform, revealing mystery, imagination and unexpected beauty.
This issue shines with standout storytelling, from marine biologist Helen Scales’ exploration of bioluminescence—where even deep-sea sharks glow—to John Lewis-Stempel’s lyrical reflections on how darkness reshapes the landscape and the mind. Together, they capture the quiet wonder of swimming beyond daylight’s edge.
Expert coaching offers fresh perspective too, with insights from Vivienne Rickman and Nicola Butler challenging swimmers to rethink training after dark. Inspiring personal journeys round out the issue, including young Alexander Sixsmith’s powerful story of resilience through open water.
Rich, reflective and quietly exhilarating, this edition celebrates swimming not just as sport, but as experience—especially when the lights go out.