Blog
We are passionate about wild swimming. It's our aim to inspire people to feel confident and informed enough to be able to go out experience the profound sense of connection swimming in nature brings. On this page you will find links to useful outdoor swimming related articles and projects.
Why I Swim
Our Why I Swim project can be found here – ordinary folks to telling their extraordinary swim stories. Take a look and message us if you would like your story to be featured.
The Rivers Trust: River Revival
Rivers shape our landscapes and provide the foundations of our cities, towns and countryside. When they thrive, so do we.This summer The Rivers Trust want everybody to remember just how special rivers are. We all know they are an important water resource, and that we couldn’t survive without them. They...
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Dirtbags Climbing
Here at Swim Feral we are big fans of reusing and repurposing materials wherever possible. When we came across Dirtbags Climbing – who upcycle old climbing gear into new products – we instantly loved what they were doing and wanted to hear more about them. Founders, Jennifer Wood and James Dickinson tell...
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Being a Conscientious Swimmer
As the popularity of swimming outside continues to rise, it’s important to remember that we’re not alone out there. We’re not the only ones on the riverbank, we’re not the only ones enjoying the water – so how can we all become more conscientious swimmers? Don't be a dick Firstly –...
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Tennis balls. Air mattresses. Plastic bottles. And, a cow.
Our Feral Friend Lindsey Cole has been on many adventures all over the world – running, swimming... rollerskating. One of these adventures started with a mermaid tail and turned into a children's book: The Mermaid and the Cow. “Tennis balls. Dinghies. Air mattresses. Plastic bottles and bags. And, a cow.” I said...
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Why do we swim?
Why do we swim? Why do we envelop ourselves in cold water out in the open? Or dip somewhere tucked away in the trees? We swim for so many reasons but there is one recurring theme that pops up time and again – we all seem to seek somewhere to reset our...
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Fenwick Ridley - Swimming through a pandemic
Ice swimmer, adventurer and Feral Friend Fenwick Ridley tells us about how the last year has affected him and his adventures – and how much joy he took from one of the coldest winters in years. In the last year our paths, challenges and ideas have been constantly changing for all of us.
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Changing Seasons - Bealtaine
Super swimmer and Feral Friend Dee Newell talks us through the changes she sees in and around the water as we mark the passing of May Day. Bealtaine This is the midway point between the spring equinox and summer solstice, it signifies the start of the summer and...
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Top tips and swimming advice from Gilly McArthur
Feral Friend Gilly McArthur is a rock climber, year round adventure swimmer. Gilly is a great supporter of Swim Feral and last year we partnered with Sequence 13 for their new film Body of Water – following Gilly on her mental and physical journey to seek out remote, icy waters. As the days...
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Which Swim Feral bag is right for me?
We design gear to make your outdoor swimming experience more comfortable. We started with our Turtleback bag and now have a few more products that we've added to our collection. Not 100% sure which bag is right for your next swim? Below is a quick run down on the differences...
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Open Water Swimming guidance from Dee Newell
Feral Friend and open water swimmer Dee Newell has created a brilliant series of videos with Water Safety Ireland about open water swimming. Dee certainly knows her stuff, regularly swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea. These are a fantastic resource for those of you easing yourself back into the...
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Let's Talk Tarpaulin
Tarpaulin might not sound like the most exciting of subjects but we’re proud to say that the insulated mat in our bags is made from recycled lorry tarp. This is tough, long lasting material that would have otherwise made its way to landfill – and no one wants that. Our...
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January Daily Dip 2021
This is our fourth year of the January Daily Dip and 2021 has been the biggest coldest one yet! Twenty eight brave souls around the North of England dipping in just their cosies into freezing water every single day in January to raise money for Crisis the UKs homelessness charity....
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