Open Water Swimming Training | Great North Swim

Beginning Your Open Water Swimming Journey

A few simple tips and tricks to get you started on your open water swimming journey...

Beginning Your Open Water Swimming Journey

An Introduction to Long Distance Swimming

An introduction to long distance swimming and tips on what to eat and how to prepare for your big swim.

Busting The Outdoor Swimming Myths

We’re busting the top 10 outdoor swimming myths.

Top SwimRun Tips and Kit Essentials

Here’s our top advice for beginners, plus a full rundown of essential gear.

Tips For Your First 10K Swim

The 10K marathon distance is the pinnacle of open water swimming. Read our top tips to get you through your first open water marathon swim.

Training Tips for your First Outdoor Swim

If you’re new to outdoor swimming, the idea can be a bit daunting. Never fear though: follow our top training tips and you’ll soon be in shape to conquer the waters!

Training Tips for your First Outdoor Swim

Swim Secure's Open Water Safety Guide

If you are a first timer the transition from pool to open water can be a daunting one, but with some simple safety steps the delights of the great outdoors are closer than you think.

How To Prepare for Your Great SwimRun Challenge

With the right training and mindset, you’ll set yourself up for an unforgettable day...

How To Prepare for Your Great SwimRun Challenge

Returning to Swimming After a Long Break

If your considering taking on the Great North Swim and are concerned about a lack of training… don’t be!

Returning to Swimming After a Long Break

The Health Benefits of Open Water Swimming

If you’ve committed to getting fitter and healthier, open water swimming might not be top of your list to try. But why not?

The Health Benefits of Open Water Swimming

Open Water Swimming Tips For Beginners

If you’ve just signed up for your first event and you’re starting to think, ‘what on earth have I got myself into’, don’t worry, you’re in safe hands!

Preparing for Your First Outdoor Swim

Proper preparation for your first outdoor swim will make a huge difference to how much you enjoy the experience.

How to Sight & Stay on Course in Open Water

If you’re swimming the Great North Swim, sighting is one of the most important open water skills you can learn.

How to Sight & Stay on Course in Open Water

How to Train in the Pool this Winter

The pool gives you everything you need to lay the foundations for a strong, stress-free swim in June.

Front Crawl Basics

Mastering front crawl takes time and effort as it requires a complex series of moves involving the whole body.

Swim Secure Guide to Lake Swimming

This beginner’s guide has been written to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to get the best out of lake swimming

1 Mile Open Water Swimming Training Plan

If the thought of swimming a mile in open water feels a bit daunting, then you need a training plan.

1 Mile Open Water Swimming Training Plan

Plan your Great North Swim

Thousands will be snapping on their swim caps, adjusting their nose clips and diving into nature at the North Swim. Read our guide to Windermere.

Choosing an Open Water Swimming Club

If you’ve never swum in open water before, we’d suggest trying an open water swimming club to build your skills and you'll be open water confident in no time!

Better Breaststroke

Terry Laughlin from Total Immersion explains a markedly more efficient way of swimming breaststroke.

Tips for Venturing into the Open Water

New to open water swimming? Read our tips before you venture outside to the open waters

How to Keep a Positive and Motivated Mindset

It is so important to focus on our mental health. Here are some tips to stay positive, keep motivated, and help you to look after your mind and mental health.

How to Keep a Positive and Motivated Mindset

What to Wear for Outdoor Swimming

When you’re heading into open water, you need the right kit. Here’s everything you should consider packing for your outdoor swim...

Fall in Love With Swimming

Even if you’ve never swum before, it’s never too late to start. Here are a few pointers to get you falling in love with swimming.

Essential Outdoor Swimming Skills

Techniques to make your outdoor swim more enjoyable and, if you race, faster.

Working On Your Swimming Technique

If improving your swimming technique is high on your list, take a look at three of our top tips.

Pre Swim Breakfast Inspiration

Your pre-swim breakfast never looked so good. We’ve got two tasty, fruity, recipes for you to try out.

Post Swim Soup Recipe

We think soup is soup-er here at Great North Swim - it’s quick, easy, nutritious *and* it’s the perfect way to warm up post-swim.

Filling Post Swim Recipes

After a tough swim, you need food that’s high in energy, nutrient-dense and packed with colour - and we’ve got two brilliant suggestions.

Five Steps to Transition from Pool to Open Water

Here's our top five tips to help you make the transition from the pool to open water.

Five Steps to Transition from Pool to Open Water

Open Water Swimming Training Tips

With the right training, mindset, and technique, you’ll be ready to enjoy every moment of your open water swimming journey.

Exercises to Keep Your Body Fit for Swimming

SwimforTri's Dan Bullock shares his top five dry land exercises that Great Swim swimmers of all abilities will benefit from.

Exercises to Keep Your Body Fit for Swimming

Power Up your Porridge Ready for an Outdoor Swim

We’re sharing two ways to make a winter staple - porridge - a bit more appealing, and a bit more powerful.

Power Up your Porridge Ready for an Outdoor Swim

Open Water Safety Guide to Lake Swimming

Here's your handy open water checklist to equip you with a safety guide to wild swimming in a lake.

Open Water Safety Guide to Lake Swimming

Pre Swim Breakfast Recipes

Head into another day of training with a spring in your step. These morning treats look like they’d be at home on a dessert menu.

What to Eat Before and After Your Great Swim

How you eat and drink before and during the event is more about your completion time than the distance you will cover.

What to Eat Before and After Your Great Swim

How Is Open Water Swimming Different From The Pool?

To help understand how open water swimming differs to your local pool, we’ve pulled together this guide.

How Is Open Water Swimming Different From The Pool?

Getting Prepared for the Great North Swim

Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi shares 10 top tips to help you prepare and get the most out of the Great North Swim.

Getting Prepared for the Great North Swim

How to Choose a Wetsuit for Open Water Swimming

Here's what you need to know when choosing a wetsuit for open water swimming

How to Choose a Wetsuit for Open Water Swimming

Swim Your Way to Health

Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi Channel 4 TV Doctor (Steph's Packed Lunch) and Swim England clinical advisor lists some of the health benefits of open water swimming, and the science behind it.