Open Water Swimming

As part of our Out To Swim community, we welcome complete “open water” beginners as well as plenty of open water swimming enthusiasts including long distance eventers, triathletes, and even English Channel swimmers.

Most of us fall in love with open water because we can plunge into chlorine-free water and enjoy the open expanse, breeze on our face and revel in swims with ducks, past scenic dropbacks and hopefully the sun on our backs!

We have some hardcore swimmers who shun wetsuits and swim in 'skins' (swimsuit only) all year round but our goal is to help everyone of all abilities to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of open water swimming together as a community. Alongside the wonderful treats and snacks as a reward after chilly or long-distance swims!

We also take part in many events all year round in rivers, the sea, and lidos. If you would like to know more, please get in touch with the Open Water Reps via our email openwater@outtoswim.org.

Swimming Sessions:

Brighton & Hove

Out to Swim Brighton offers during the coached sea swimming in the seas of Brighton & Hove, during the Summer months.  The course covers subjects such as sighting, feeding, pack swimming, drafting and kick rhythm. Further sessions are planned to include distance and cold-water swimming.

London

From mid April/May to the end of September, when temperature allows, we have training sessions in lidos and outdoor venues.

In Summer 2025, we had a session at London Fields Lido and a Sunday morning session at the West Reservoir.

There is also an indoor long-distance focused session on Tuesday evenings at The Castle Centre at 20:00 (all year round).

For more information about open water swimming in London, please click this link.

Bournemouth & Poole, Bristol and Newcastle

There are no formal open water sessions in these clubs for now, but local members regularly organise beach, river and lake swims. Keep an eye on socials and club communications to keep up with these.

Check Open Water swimming venues around Brighton, Bristol and London.

Check Open Water Swimming events coming up.

Other useful information:
RNLI Open Water Swimming safety guidance
Swim England Open Water
NOWCA Open Water venues

BBC, Coastal Weather Information
Easytide, Tidal Information
Sewage overspill alerts