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:
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.
Brighton
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.
Open Water swimming venues around London, Brighton and Bristol:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1glA6MJpWv6bB-w_kfoottbZGGIlmtdYu-tI-rDFXJPE/edit?usp=drivesdk
Open Water Swimming events available to participate in:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rG7D0pvox1HJSdSatqAuJ7G4o5QxDuhM_nPyTDnZcsg/edit?usp=drivesdk
Other useful information:
RNLI Open Water Swimming safety guidance - https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/open-water-swimming
Swim England Open Water - https://www.swimming.org/openwater/open-water-swimming-explained/
NOWCA Open Water venues - https://nowca.org/
UK Tidal Predictions:
Easytide: https://easytide.admiralty.co.uk/
BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables
Sewage overspill alerts - https://www.sas.org.uk/water-quality/sewage-pollution-alerts/
