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 is not an instruction manual – it is much more useful and entertaining than that. This is a huge collection of small tipsto make a real difference to your outdoor swimming, whether you’re planning your first Winter Swims, hoping to enjoy some icy swims the depths of the Scottish winter – this book will take you through everything you need to know. Roger Deakin explores the British Isles and the variety of swimming environments available to those of an inquisitive nature. It is a personal journey, where he reflects on the historical and modern perspective of swimming within these diverse climes. It is again possible to read Chapters within this book in isolation, indeed the photograph is of me reading an excerpt aloud to my group of swimmers after a Summer Expedition to The Trossachs. Reading “Waterlog” Summer 2020 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. Dan Start has a whole series of beautifully illustrated, practical guides suggesting places to swim outdoors in Britain and France: 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

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. Wild Guide: Devon, Cornwall and South West: This was co-written with Tania Pascoe and Joanna Keeling. It’s not just about swimming but if it’s like Start’s other books then it will be a winner. 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 Wish You Were Still Here – The Scottish Seaside Holiday Artist and illustrator Lisa Congdon brings together her passion for images and swimming in this delightful book. Whimsical at times, very beautiful and often uplifting, it’s a homage to the joy of immersion in water and to the creative work it has inspired. This book focusses on the development of good technique, with the aim of making you swim faster. It’s all about a high-elbow underwater pull, apparently. The same author has also published this book ( USA) of swim workouts.

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) If you have any other suggestions of books inspired by water or nature, please let us know and we will happily add them. 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.Why are we drawn to the ocean each summer? Why does being near water set our minds and bodies at ease? In Blue Mind , Wallace J. Nichols revolutionizes how we think about these questions, revealing the remarkable truth about the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water. Imagine a summertime tour through the wildest and most beautiful regions of Britain – boating, camping and swimming along the way. Wild Swimming – inspired by Roger Deakin’s cult-classic Waterlog – is a celebration of wilderness dipping, natural bathing and riverside picnics. Best-selling book Wild Swimming combines inspirational photos, engaging writing and practical information to make this a truly unique British travel guide. 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. WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree The Mindful Art of Wild Swimming (Reflections for Zen Seekers) 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.

I’ve seen this for sale in Daunt Books, Hampstead. It’s that kind of book: a beautiful, glossy coffee table volume. Beyond the Beach: The Secret Wild Swims of Torbay A house work section permits you to exercise from the finest comfort of your property, probably experiencing a favourite anime above television as Charlotte Runcie explores what the sea means to us, and particularly what it has meant to women through the ages. In mesmerising prose, she explores how the sea has inspired, fascinated and terrified us, and how she herself fell in love with the deep blue. When you swim in Wales, take a moment to ponder the late Roger Deakin, ecologist, nature writer, campaigner and inveterate wild swimmer who compiled a whole new watery vocabulary to describe the simple, timeless activity of immersing yourself in a natural body of water, be it a river, a lake, a stream or the sea. He not only uncovered obscure, rarely used words associated with wild water – dook, loom, winterburna, bumbel – but also described the feeling of water itself, from a languid, meandering river to a furiously frothing mountain stream. Deakin was attuned to the differences in colour, taste, temperature and even texture of the water he swam in and the variety of aquatic life he encountered. He even coined a new word – endolphins – for the thrillingly pleasurable, all encompassing rush of a wild swim. We are delighted to be able to bring you a variety of sessions which aim to accommodate all levels of Wild Swimmer. If you have not yet started this amazing outdoor activity and would like a helping hand to get started, we would love to support you in your first endeavours.

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

Wonderful, eccentric book about ‘ swim hiking’ – walking over hills and swimming across lakes. He talks about the swimming version of the Bob Graham Round.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 An account of the 1920s race between four Americans to be first woman to cross the English Channel. It focusses more on the battle between the women and the way the media portrayed the story than about the actual swimming, but it’s still a good read. Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World 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 An unusual story about an encounter that Lynne Cox had with a baby grey whale when swimming off the California coast