The wild swimming movement is a little different here in America, where lots of people enjoy the rivers and lakes of this big crazy country. Up here in the Pacific Northwest, the hearty UK swimmer would feel right at home. Our waters are cold and the beer is bold. Snorkeling rivers is just wild swimming while looking down. Take a look, you may be surprised what lives in your favorite swimming hole! Reply This is a classic book about marathon swimming, written in the 1970s. The only copies I could find were very expensive – perhaps pressure is needed on the publishers to reprint it! Swim Speed Secrets

Part of a series of stunning ‘forest lidos’ on beautiful trails through the ‘Waterfall Woods’ in the Brecon Beacons. This fantastic pool sits under a wide, arced cascade. Park at Pont Melin-fach car park, off the Ystradfellte road. 51.7826, -3.5853 another huge issue is sun screen, it is terrible for the rivers (and oceans). We don’t realize that it washes off directly into the river and it is highly polluting. If you can avoid putting it on or maybe buy a biodegradable one that would be great. Victoria Whitworth details a year of daily swimming in the Orkneys, the islands north of Scotland. The writer is a novelist and historian, living through the breakup of her marriage. Her writing is vivid, her swims are intense, challenging. She leavens this with so many fascinating stories of life in Orkney, its history and people, and her own life changes. Come and Join Us in the Water! All sessions will be held at Groyn 5, Joppa on Portobello Beach unless otherwise stated or by special request.miles west of Combe Martin (A399) turn right onto Barton Hill and park. Pass the Sandy Cove Hotel (EX34 9SR) on coast path and drop down after 500m. 15 mins, 51.2121, -4.0589 Wild Swimming Walks leads you on 28 adventures into the beautiful countryside of southern England. Discover swimming meadows along the Thames, secret coves of the Sussex seashore and hidden islands of the Essex coast. All the walking routes are accessible by train and each comes with ideas for places to visit and experience scarcity of your energy. The most effective Home fitness space is designed remembering the actual Park at Hartland Quay (EX39 6DU) and head south for a mile along the coastal path. 20 mins, 50.9848, -4.5297

Splash is a dive into the history of swimming. 10,000 years of swimming history to be precise. Howard Means begins this compelling narrative in the ancient world through to the modern day. Covering social, geographical, religious and architectural history, the book moves beyond swimming as a sport. It encapsulates how swimming has shaped our society and is a thorough exploration for those who love to get into the water. Wild Swimming: 300 hidden dips in the rivers, lakes and waterfalls of Britain: We keep this in the car, and I think it’s the original and best of the series. New from the publishers of Wild Swimming, the Wild Guide booktakes you on a voyage of discovery to the lesser-known corners of Britain’s favourite holiday region. Featuring over 500 ideas to help you plan the perfect escape, this is the ultimate local guide to river swimming, secret coves, ancient forests, sunset hill forts, lost ruins, canoe camping and other adventures: Buy the Book from our online shop Salt On My Skin is a year long diary where Sarah navigates between grief, loss and a newfound hobby of wild swimming in the seas around Orkney. It’s a poignant and empathic story of what it’s like to deal with a parents deterioration with dementia, about accepting yourself and learning to live with integrity and joy. It’s a warm, witty and wondrous book that reflects the ups and downs of life and how swimming bares you through it all. This section is a bit more subjective, as what works for one person might not work for another. In honesty, I’m not really one for spending hours on my technique: I prefer to just get in the water and go. However, these are a few titles I’ve come across and have been recommended by others.

Dips and Chips is an illustrated guide to wild swimming across Central England. It has over 60 swims in it along with lots of useful advice about how to get started with wild swimming. What makes this book different is the beautiful illustrations of each swim with hand drawn pictures painted by Emma Jane O’Brien. We’ve been to and swam at every single swimming location so we know exactly what each swim is like and usually have a funny story to tell. Wonderful, eccentric book about ‘ swim hiking’ – walking over hills and swimming across lakes. He talks about the swimming version of the Bob Graham Round.

I am from the “cevennes” region in fance and This book has been my bible for the past 5 years. Each year i go off on a 5 day solo trip and i always plan according to this book. It has brought ne countless adventures and memories, thank you!!!! A book of wonderful things to do… swimming with otters, discovering underground caves and even searching for gold”It’s a very pretty valley walk down to this little-known low tide sandy cove. If you continue on round to the right you will reach Fall Bay with its Giant’s Cave, popular with climbers. Beyond is the dragon-shaped tidal island of Worm’s Head, where Dylan Thomas was once marooned. Another book about the social and cultural aspects of swimming, exploring our relationship with the water. Not one I’ve yet had chance to read but it could be worth a look. Swimming Studies Discover the unspoilt crater lakes of the Massif Central or relax in secluded hot springs in the woodlands of the Pyrénées. The Salt Pathis an honest and life-affirming true storyof coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world.Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.” (Publisher’s Synopsis)

For local / regional (non UK) coverage of wild swimming places, you will find more places, and the additional coastal locations, in our individual Wild Guides, or more detail in the Wild Swimming Walks series.

The Wild Swimming series travels to Italy to explore freshwater lakes, river beaches and lagoons. • Dip in to the emerald-green plunge pools of Sicily and swim at river beaches in Campania This is a memoir of alcoholism and recovery, Amy Liptrot left rehab in England and returned to recover in Orkney, where she was brought up. She joined a swimming group and found in the chilled waters of the North Sea as well as around the hills and islands of the Orkneys what she needed to truly recover. From the otherworldly fens of the east to the vast dramatic waters of the Lake District, the thundering icy waterfalls of Snowdonia to the secluded sandy coves of Cornwall. Locals who know the secrets of their patch share over 100 spectacular swim spots across England and Wales. Now they are yours to explore too. (Publisher’s Synopsis) such a exceptional way is a great gift. Your informative article contains the ideal combination of enthusiasm and well-written,