Wild Swimming: Hidden Dips in the Rivers, Lakes and Waterfalls of Britain: 4 (Wild Swimming: 300 Hidden Dips in the Rivers, Lakes and Waterfalls of Britain)

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This illustrated book about the social history of swimming was given a great review here. I’m looking forward to getting hold of a copy. WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree The Mindful Art of Wild Swimming (Reflections for Zen Seekers)

I read this book in two days. Completely captivating, a heart wrenching story with wonderful descriptions of emotions and scenery entwined. I’m surprised you missed Swimming Free by Geoffery Fraiser Duncan. Perhaps the best, but not the first book to celebrate swim trekking and river snorkeling. Out of print, this book is both rare and worth the price.

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Firmly placed in the genre of swimming against adversity, this book tells how swimming off the coast of Ireland helped Ruth Fitzmaurice deal with the illness of her husband, who had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Together with fellow “Tragic Wives,” she swims all year, using the waves and the cold to combat her trauma.

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) 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) Steve Munatones is a bit of a legend in open water swimming: he founded the Open Water Source and came up with the concept of the Oceans Seven– the swimming version of the Seven Summits. I suspect his book is well worth a look. A well presented and informative read. From the author of “The Walker’s Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs” this book is an essential piece of kit for the Open Water Swimmer. Tristan Gooley outlines his knowledge, observations and interpretations of water movement. He gives us direction and clues to develop the observational skills required to identify key signs in a variety of bodies of water. Examples from puddles, streams and lochs to rivers, estuaries and seas. He draws on historical navigational pioneers and his own observations and experiences merging these neatly into well structured and easy to read chapters, which can be read in isolation or enjoyed within the fullness of the book as a whole. Here is a literary account of the history and struggles of women who swim. Before the 1930s, very few women swam at all, until the ‘swimming suffragettes’ took to the water and forged a splash into pools and onto beaches. This book explores the author’s own love affair with water and swimming, along with the almost 100 year history of woman’s freedom to swim.

Reader Recommendations

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 An unusual story about an encounter that Lynne Cox had with a baby grey whale when swimming off the California coast 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.

By far and the most popular book on wild swimmer's bookshelves is Waterlog by Roger Deakin. Deakin set out in 1996 to swim through the British Isles. Waterlog is a personal journey, a bold assertion of the native swimmer's right to roam, and an unforgettable celebration of the magic of water. As part of the competition to win a bundle of wild swimming books, we asked outdoor swimmers to tell us their favourite reads about water or nature. The competition generated great conversations and we have added many books to our “must read” list. Scotland is famed for its rugged coastlines, pristine beaches, endless rivers and deep lochs. The whole country is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. In this unique guide, adventurer Mollie Hughes introduces many of her favourite places to paddleboard, kayak, swim and surf. Mixing world-class surfing breaks with kayaking adventures on the west coast, and urban paddleboarding along the Clyde with invigorating swims in the lochs of the Cairngorms, the book shows us how to access and enjoy these varied blue spaces. Mollie includes her own personal experiences and tips, enabling wild watersports fans of all levels to make the most of the amazing opportunities Scotland has to offer. (Publisher’s Synopsis) WSS Members can request to borrow the 2008 version from Maree Books with “Wild Swimming” Reflections Taking The Plunge 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.

Open Water Swim Books

Swimmers know the deeply calming effects of immersion in water. Here, Tessa Wardley explores and explains why wild swimming can leads to such great awareness and calm. Tessa is an environmental consultant and has written previous books on rivers and woodlands.

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. What makes the perfect swim? It’s all about the most magical locations (and how to protect them), finessing your kitbag, keeping yourself and others safe … and maybe discovering a nice place for a warm-up cuppa and cake. Whether you’re a seasoned dipper or a fledgling, The Art of Wild Swimming is the ultimate guide to becoming an awesome, joyful and responsible swimmer. (Publisher’s Synopsis) The Art of Wild Swimming – Scotland 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.I loved the approach of this light-hearted and informative guide. There are some laugh out loud moments as Calum explores everything Wild Swimming, Outdoor Swimming and Cold Water.