Cool off the right way: how and where to enjoy open water swimming safely

Fancy a dip to escape the heatwave? From getting the right kit to joining a group, the key to enjoying wild swimming is preparation

With seemingly no end in sight to Britain’s hot summer days, many of us are looking for different ways to cool down. In cities such as London, open-water venues have been a haven from the stifling weather. Over the past few summers, I’ve found myself travelling all over the city, and the rest of the UK, excited by the prospect of discovering different bodies of water. I’m certainly not the only one; in the past few years participation in open water swimming has surged.

Swimming outdoors doesn’t come without risks, however, and every year we hear tragic stories of swimmers losing their lives after getting into danger in open water. Avoiding such risks does not have to mean staying out of the water altogether, but trying to understand the hazards and having the know how to mitigate difficulties in order to enjoy water safely.