Wild Swim: the book
Wild Swim: the book
Mon 25th May 2009  More >
OSS swimfit courses: booking now!
OSS swimfit courses: booking now!
Mon 22nd Jun 2009  More >
Forthcoming OSS social swim events
Forthcoming OSS social swim events
Sun 5th Jul 2009  More >
Night swimming: full moon dates '09
Night swimming: full moon dates '09
Tue 7th Jul 2009  More >
The big jump
The big jump
Sun 12th Jul 2009  More >
Triathlon training: open water sites, summer 2009
Triathlon training: open water sites, summer 2009
Tue 28th Jul 2009  More >
Swim events 2009: UK
Swim events 2009: UK
Tue 1st Sep 2009  More >
Swim events 2009: international
Swim events 2009: international
Wed 2nd Sep 2009  More >
The big jump
The big jump
On 12 July, water babies across Europe will be taking part in The Big Jump. Held to celebrate the joys of river swimming and to reconcile people with their rivers, The Big Jump project aims to ‘induce citizens to re-conquer their rivers and lakes and...  More >
The heroes of Portishead open air pool
The heroes of Portishead open air pool
Last year, it looked like Portishead Open Air Pool was about to bite the dust.A Review Panel had been set up to investigate the costs of running the seafront lido after claims by North Somerset Council that it was costing £100,000 per year to support...  More >
The rush of the Windrush
The rush of the Windrush
Last month we launched the OSS guide to planning a swim. The guide covers the social, practical and legal aspects of finding new swims which we hope will help broaden the types of swim our members feel safe going on. The guide is free to all members. If yo...  More >
Creating a swimmers’ code of conduct
Creating a swimmers’ code of conduct
Over on facebook, OSS members spearheaded by Clare Woodhead have been working on a Code of Conduct for outdoor swimmers – The Wild Swimmers’ Code – similar in intent to The Countryside Code. The OSS invites all members to abide by the cod...  More >
The OSS midsummer swim
The OSS midsummer swim
OSS members flocked to Parliament Hill Lido in London for an OSS fundraiser on 24 June, as we celebrated Midsummer with Pimm’s, the fattest falafel wraps ever, a whole lot of swimming and even more Pimm’s. It was so good to see so many heads bo...  More >
Rock n roll n rivers
Rock n roll n rivers
Caught by the river is an anthology of thoughts, stories, recollections and experiences on (and in) rivers by a diverse group of writers who have looked into the green, flowing depths, and found themselves, well... caught.Conceived by Jeff Barrett, Robin T...  More >
How to plan a swim
How to plan a swim
Going somewhere this summer and want to find a swim? A group of OSS members have spent hours amassing all their practical experience to put together a comprehensive guide on how to plan a swim. The guide is free to all members. To receive the PDF guide, j...  More >
The history of river racing
The history of river racing
London’s ‘Great River Swim’ from Chiswick pier on 5 September is a recent reincarnation of a once popular activity – river racing. It flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and we’re now seeing the beginnings of ...  More >
The travelling swimmer
The travelling swimmer
Joining hundreds of Turkish swimmer for a six mile swims down the Bosphorus in Istanbul, island hopping across the Sardinian emerald coast and lake swimming in the Finnish midnight sun. For members, joining swim events are up there alongside food, culture ...  More >

Welcome

 JUMP IN & JOIN US: Sign up to our newsletter to receive monthly tips of the best places to swim outdoors this summer, swims around the country, technique and training tips,  water-related art projects and literature, aquatic ecology and more.  The Outdoor Swimming Society is dedicated to increasing the numbers of people who experience the joy of swimming safely in the UK's lakes, rivers, lidos and sea, and is powered by volunteers.

SWIM RESPONSIBLITY STATEMENT: By signing up to join any swim or acting on any of the inspiration or information in this website, you confirm that you have read and accepted the terms of the OSS swim responsibility statement.  

CAMBRIDGE SWIMFIT COURSE BOOKING NOW! See events.

JULY STORIES

See the news section for this month’s stories from the OSS:

  • The psychology of long distance swimming
  • The Big Jump
  • Go lido! And the heroes of Portishead
  • The rush of the Windrush – planning a swim
  • The Wild Swimmers’ Code
  • Caught by the river
  • Midsummer swim at Parliament Hill Lido

 

 THE BEST PLACES TO SWIM OUTDOORS IN THE UK: Over summer the OSS will be sending members lists of the best places to swim North, South, East and West, as recommended by members. Sign up to receive, and please contribute your favourites.

SQUAD SESSIONS: The OSS squad fitness courses at Parliament Hill Lido have been a sell out. Cambridge courses have just commenced – sign up now. Windermere courses start soon..

OSS SWIMS AND MEETS: Over the next few weeks members are getting together to swim, at their own risk (suitable for competent swimmers only) around Burgh Island, and along the Great Ouse river. To join the community see
OSS Facebook.

UK OPEN WATER SWIM EVENTS: Keep up to date with our UK open water swim event calendar.

PLEASE VOLUNTEER to take a project on for the OSS. We are run by volunteers and welcome assistance. We have some great opportunities that need someone to run them whether you're looking to make a difference or gather CV points.  Contact us to find out more.

MEDIA WATCH: June 2009


 

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