MYSWIM: Outdoor Social Swimming with Sue Woodcock & Deb Vine.

06/27/23 • 46 min

In this episode we take a deep dive into the world of outdoor social swimming – a thrilling and fulfilling way to swim outside with friends. But why is it so popular? What are the benefits? And how can you join in on the fun? We've got all the answers you need, thanks to our special guests who embody the social and selfless spirit of the swimming community. We'll explore their personal journeys, uncover their motivations, and discover the most important aspects of their social swimming experiences. So tune in and get ready to be inspired to take the plunge yourself!

For hundreds of years, swimming has been recognised as a therapeutic activity for physical ailments, but it's only recently that the mental health benefits of being part of a community have been understood.

We've got two amazing guests - Sue Woodcock and Debbie Vine - who for me embody the positive energy and enthusiasm of this type of swimming. Their love of the water is matched only by their passion for supporting others in their outdoor swimming adventures.

We explore:

· Their backgrounds and journey from learn to swim through to current love of swimming? & What inspired them to start outdoor social swimming

· Social swimming is wide ranging and means so many things to different people. Why do they think outdoor swimming is becoming so popular and why is it so special to them.

· How do it make them feel? & What have been some of the most memorable experiences they’ve had while swimming outdoors

· Who do they think it’s for Or Anyone its not appropriate for

· What are the benefits of outdoor social swimming?

· What are the benefits of swimming in the winter?

· What do they think are the most common misconceptions about outdoor swimming?

· What do they think are some of the most important pieces of equipment for outdoor swimming?

· How do they prepare for any outdoor swim?

· What should you wear? Are woolly hats compulsory?!

· When can you do outdoor swimming? When is the best time to swim? What is the temperature at this time?

· How do people find places to swim?

· What are some of the challenges they’ve faced while swimming outdoors?

· What do they think are the most important safety precautions to take when swimming outdoors?

· Where would be their ideal place to swim? Anywhere in the world and why?

· If they could swim with anyone famous from anytime, who would they choose for their perfect swim?

· How does someone find out about groups and where to swim? (UK and abroad?)

o Here are the names and website addresses of some top outdoor swimming societies in some regions around the world:

o North America:
§ United States Masters Swimming (https://www.usms.org/)
§ Outdoor Swimmer Society (https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/)
§ Wild Swimming USA (https://wildswimmingusa.com/)
o Europe:
§ Outdoor Swimming Society (https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/)
§ Serpentine Swimming Club (https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/)
§ The Outdoor Swimming Society UK (https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/)
o Asia:
§ Hong Kong Open Water Swimming Association (https://hkoswi

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We explore:

· Their backgrounds and journey from learn to swim through to current love of swimming? & What inspired them to start outdoor social swimming

· Social swimming is wide ranging and means so many things to different people. Why do they think outdoor swimming is becoming so popular and why is it so special to them.

· How do it make them feel? & What have been some of the most memorable experiences they’ve had while swimming outdoors

· Who do they think it’s for Or Anyone its not appropriate for

· What are the benefits of outdoor social swimming?

· What are the benefits of swimming in the winter?

· What do they think are the most common misconceptions about outdoor swimming?

· What do they think are some of the most important pieces of equipment for outdoor swimming?

· How do they prepare for any outdoor swim?

· What should you wear? Are woolly hats compulsory?!

· When can you do outdoor swimming? When is the best time to swim? What is the temperature at this time?

· How do people find places to swim?

· What are some of the challenges they’ve faced while swimming outdoors?

· What do they think are the most important safety precautions to take when swimming outdoors?

· Where would be their ideal place to swim? Anywhere in the world and why?

· If they could swim with anyone famous from anytime, who would they choose for their perfect swim?

· How does someone find out about groups and where to swim? (UK and abroad?)

o Here are the names and website addresses of some top outdoor swimming societies in some regions around the world:

o North America:
§ United States Masters Swimming (https://www.usms.org/)
§ Outdoor Swimmer Society (https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/)
§ Wild Swimming USA (https://wildswimmingusa.com/)
o Europe:
§ Outdoor Swimming Society (https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/)
§ Serpentine Swimming Club (https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/)
§ The Outdoor Swimming Society UK (https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/)
o Asia:
§ Hong Kong Open Water Swimming Association (https://hkoswi

Previous Episode

MYSWIM: Around Jersey Swim With Sally Minty-Gravett MBE

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In this episode we explore the why, the what, the how and the when of an around island swim of the uk channel island of jersey with experience multi English Channel and jersey island swimmer Sally Minty Gravett MBE.

We explore with Sally the following:

WHY

What was your journey upto the swim? Where has the love of swimming come from?
For you as an individual Why is it so special? Has your love for it grown over the years and times you’ve done it?

WHAT (Information about the swim)

Metrics about the swim (36 miles tidally assisted, start and finish point)
What Training and preparation of the swim would you typically do? And how is it structured ( that works for you would you recommend any variations for some else?)
Can you tell us more about the popular SMG training camps run in the beautiful settings that Jersey offers could you tell us a bit about that (time of year, format, whose it for,where you swim)

HOW

We talk through the swim itself stage by stage
What are some of the most successful feeding plans you’ve used or seen used for this swim?
Any crew recommendations (size of crew, types of character, crew roles)
Would you change anything about the swim?

WHEN (The admin bit!)

When does the swim take place?
How can you book,who to contact and what are the rough costs involved?

Fictitious swim off challenge

Tony the Tiger VERSUS Barlow Bear

Information referenced:

www.swimwithsal.com

www.jerseyseaswims.org

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Next Episode

MYSWIM: Swimming the length of Lake Zurich with Michael Helps

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In this episode I share with you a swim I got half way through and proclaim to my boat crew “This is the day I learnt to swim for!”

Through a series of questions friends have asked me over the years I explore the What, How ,When, Why ,Who, Where, of swimming the length of the beautiful Lake Zurich through my personal experience of my favourite lake swim - My individual MYSWIM.

A YouTube video accompanies this podcast which shows further detail of the swim.

Topics covered:

· INTRODUCTION to the Lake - geometry, temperatures, water wild life

· HOW did I prepare for the swim?

· WHAT was my TRAINING PLAN?

· WHAT is my recommended Swim and travel KIT LIST and food?

· WHAT was my Feed Strategy?

· Travel kit suggestions

· WHO is the event for?

· Suggestion for WHERE to stay

· WHAT happens on RACE DAY Prior to the start

· The Race Experience

· My lasting impressions of the swim

· Regular Feature: Factitious swim challenge

Links for further information:

www.srichinmoyraces.org

With this episode of the podcast there is a unique MYSWIM design that reflects the essence of the LAKE ZURICH swim discussed. This design is exclusively available through the MYSWIM.uk website, and each purchase helps keep the podcasts going and promoting the shared love for all things aquatic.

It is an exciting journey, and we would be honoured to have you join us with our designs and showing off your love for your individual MYSWIM. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to being a part of your aquatic adventure.