Although I’ve always been a water baby, I only started open water swimming seriously about 15 years ago, and in that time wetsuit tech has come on in leaps and bounds.

My first swim wetsuit was a 6mm men’s Xterra suit that cost a whopping £600 ($815 USD) new. I've still got it, and for winter swimming it provides impressive insulation, but the neoprene rubber it’s made from is so thick it’s hard to pull on and off. Nowadays I've relegated it to ‘suit I lend my mates, while I wear something decent’ status.

Likewise, my 3/5mm Orca smoothskin suit – now 10 years old and covered in micro tears and grazes from all my river adventures – just isn’t long enough in the legs, despite being a women’s size XL. So, I’ve been in the market for a new suit for a while and, as a fan of long sleeve nylon/spandex swimsuits for winter swimming, was intrigued by this number from Finisterre. It uses natural Yulex rubber rather than neoprene (yuck, petrochemicals) or nylon and spandex (stretchy and comfortable, but not warm).

Finisterre Nieuwland 2mm Yulex long sleeve swim wetsuit: fit and comfort

As I’m fairly tall at 5ft 10in (177cm) and have a long torso (very common among people who seem to be ‘naturally good’ swimmers) I normally have to size up in swimsuits as the body length is too short, sometimes even going two sizes larger. With the Nieuwland, I still went one size up from my usual, but that’s actually an improvement for me.

The sleeves of the suit are long, reaching all the way to my wrists, despite the fact that I also have a swimmer’s long arms. In smoothskin suits this isn’t an issue for the shorter limbed, as you can just cut the wrists down. But the stitched panel construction of this suit means that isn’t an option – if you cut the wrist, the long sleeve seam would unravel. So, be prepared for lengthy sleeves, which you may need to fold back if you have a shorter arm length.

I would have liked the leg openings to have been cut higher, as I find this provides greater freedom of movement when swimming. But this really is a personal preference and many swimmers may prefer the more modest shape.

Where the fit really fell down was in the front zip. I had no problem putting the wetsuit on. But when it came to taking it off, the zip was too short to be able to pull the suit back off my shoulders easily. This caught me out the first time I wore it, and I flashed my fellow swimmers quite spectacularly while trying to get changed, before giving up and asking a fellow dipper for help. I’ve since accepted that it’s absolutely impossible to take off by myself and so now I know to enlist the help of others when getting changed after a swim (and to wear a bikini top underneath it!).

While a newer version of this design exists, the zip placement doesn’t appear to have changed.

Finisterre Nieuwland 2mm Yulex long sleeve swim wetsuit: materials

Finisterre describes its Yulex fabric as a plant-based alternative rubber that reduces carbon emissions by 80% when compared to traditional neoprene.

This is no small achievement – it's the paradox of most wild swimmers that if you're wearing a wetsuit you're indirectly damaging the very marine environment you want to protect in multiple ways (production, emissions, shipping and so on). The fact that you can rent this suit makes it even more sustainable.

Yulex isn't a smoothskin fabric and so feels less flexible that a normal swim wetsuit, despite only being 2mm thick. Typical smoothskin suits for all but the coldest waters vary between 2mm and 6mm, normally with the thinner fabric in the shoulders for greater range of movement. Due to this suit's 2mm thickness, I did expect it to feel more supple than it actually does and when swimming freestyle, which is my preferred stroke, I did experience some shoulder restriction. However, this may also have been due to the shoulder construction, which is deeper set than the troublesome set-in sleeve on Alpkit's wetsuit jacket, but still not a raglan sleeve, which would provide the greatest freedom of movement.

The other disadvantage with the Yulex fabric is it's not as sleek as smoothskin neoprene, which is designed to help you really glide through water. But the upside is, the material isn’t as delicate and won't tear on a surfboard or abrade where your arms and sides rub together as you swim. It's not cheap compared to most nylon or spandex suits, but it is cheaper than the majority of quality smoothskin suits, and I can see it lasting many years.

Finisterre Nieuwland 2mm Yulex long sleeve swim wetsuit: warmth

At 2mm thick, this isn't designed as a winter suit, but I haven’t worn a full wetsuit in winter for years as, for the short amount of time I spend in the water over the coldest months, it's too much faff to take on and off. I like using this suit in winter and spring as it provides more protection than my normal winter combo: neoprene vest with long sleeve nylon suit over the top. I still wear neoprene gloves and boots with it at these times of year, and it does seem to keep my core warmer than the double layer I've previously worn.

But what of the average swimmer? Annoyingly, how warm you'll feel in this suit and how much longer you'll be able to stay in the water varies with, erm, you. People run hot or cold, and the amount of body fat you have is a big factor when it comes to keeping warm in the water.

It's why English Channel swimmers are typically advised to gain about 20lb (9kg) before tackling the swim, and it's why ultra distance swimmers like myself are often on the curvy side. So, if you're a lean triathlete, you're going to get colder more quickly in this suit than I am, and it may be a great choice for summer and autumn months, while the water is still warm.

As a side note, if wearing a suit like this does inspire you to try swimming through the seasons, stick to one minute per degree (celsius) of water temperature as a starting point and build from there.

• How to choose a wetsuit
• Alpkit Element wetsuit jacket: an easy-on, easy-off alternative to a full wetsuit for water babies
• How to clean a wetsuit in six easy steps

A British endurance athlete has made history by becoming the first person to swim around Iceland's entire coastline.

Ross Edgley, 39, began the mammoth journey in May and has covered more than 1,000 miles (1,610km) in the months since, encountering violent storms, unpredictable currents, and chilly temperatures.

On Monday, September 8, he arrived on Nautholsvik Beach in Reykjavik to jubilation from friends, family, and support staff gathered at the scene.

“This has been the toughest and most ambitious challenge I have attempted yet,” said Edgley, who previously swam all the way around mainland Britain, and holds the record for the world's longest non-stop river swim, covering 317 miles (510km) down Canada’s Yukon River in 2024.

“Iceland provided an incredible opportunity to test my physical and mental limits - the country has provided some insane experiences I will never forget," he added.

Edgley and team used a 68ft (21m) expedition yacht as a floating base throughout the journey. On board, Ross was fed, hydrated, and given medical attention to deal with the various injuries he sustained in the water.

He also partnered with local scientists and researchers to monitor the impact of climate change in the North Atlantic and collected more than 100 eDNA microplastic samples, which will be used for further research on land.

"We wanted to help scientists understand how these waters are changing," he continued.

"Swimming day in and day out gave us a completely unique perspective on the ocean, and it was a privilege to support real-time research that could aid in future conservation efforts."

Want to watch Ross's latest challenge for yourself? He was filmed throughout by a crew from the UK's Channel 4, who will be turning his mammoth effort into three one-hour documentaries, due to air later this year.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Frustrated open water swimmers are calling on the British government to take immediate action to address the ongoing sewage crisis in British waters, after completing a 124 mile relay along the River Thames.

Athletes supported by the Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) campaigning charity set off from Gloucestershire in England on Monday, September 1, and swam, relay-style, to Teddington Lock, which they reached on Thursday, September 4. Participants then travelled, by boat, to the heart of Government in Westminster, where they urged lawmakers to take immediate action to protect Britain's rivers, lakes, and seas.

The stunt was part of a greater campaign of public pressure from the charity, which is up in arms about government inaction over what they describe as a "national scandal".

"This isn’t just dirty water. It’s a national scandal. Water companies are prioritising profit over their duty to protect people and planet," SAS said in a statement.

"Right now, government is reviewing the very regulations meant to protect our waters. But the proposals on the table fall massively short - and could even weaken protections.

"Our message is clear: tinkering around the edges won’t cut it. To end the sewage scandal, we need reform - a water system that works for people and planet, not profit and power."

During the swim, participants braved challenging swimming conditions and were even forced out of the water at some points.

The SAS said the relay team were "swimming through darkness, battling exhaustion, pushing through aching muscles and the inevitable dodgy stomachs that come with swimming in filthy water."

"Along the route at Slough, Henley and Marlow, the swimmers were forced to halt as we spotted CSOs [combined sewer overflows] spewing raw sewage on our live map."

Water pollution in Britain

Dangerous levels of pollution have become commonplace in Britain's rivers, lakes, and seas, prompting national outrage and widespread concern from the open water swimmers who frequent them.

Along with the excessive use of fertilizer and pesticides, waterways are heavily polluted by the billions of gallons of untreated sewage released by water management companies each year.

Pollution in the Thames is particularly bad. In June 2024, at least 35 competitors experienced sickness after swimming in the Berkshire stretch of the river as part of the Royal Windsor Triathlon.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Open water swimmers have been told to stay out of one of the nation's most popular lakes to avoid increasingly dangerous conditions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has urged swimmers to stay out of Lake Michigan until at least September 5 due to strong currents and high waves, which present a danger to human life.

"Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local authorities on potential beach closures," reads an NWS Grand Rapids statement.

"Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water, and high waves can sweep people off piers."

The warning comes after a deadly few months for open water swimmers in Lake Michigan. At least 32 people have drowned in the 13,237 square-mile (34,280km²) body of water so far this year, far more than in any of the other Great Lakes.

A total of 66 people have drowned in the Great Lakes so far in 2025, with over 1,400 perishing in the water since 2010.

Open water swimming safety

Listening to safety warnings and staying out of the water when prompted is non-negotiable, but in the right conditions, open water swimming can be a fantastic way to get some exercise and spend time in nature.

If you're keen to take a dip in wild waters, look below for some of our expert safety tips.

• Get ready for the conditions - Make sure you're ready to get in the water with proper wild swimming gear. Lakes, rivers, and other open water swimming environments are often colder than open-air and indoor pools, so wear a wetsuit if needed, and be prepared to get out and warm yourself up in something insulating like a dry robe.
• Wade in slowly - Jumping or diving into open waters can disturb wildlife and put you in danger, as you might not know where the bottom is, or what's lying underneath the surface. Wade in carefully to avoid an incident.
• Take a mate - Prepare for the worst-case scenario by bringing a friend who can help you out or call for emergency assistance if required.
• Check water quality - Open water swimming environments can host harmful pollutants like E. coli and toxic infestations like blue green algae. Make sure you're swimming in safe waters and check the water quality using the How's My Waterway map in the US and the Surfers against Sewage map in the UK.
• Keep an eye out for currents - Strong coastal and river currents can knock you off course and carry you into dangerous waters. Make sure you know how to spot one, and if you're caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore until it peters out.

For more on open water swimming safety, check out our expert guide.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Open water swimmers in Shropshire, England, can dive into wild waters with a little more confidence following the introduction of a high-tech app that displays water quality.

The new Shropshire Wild Bathing app seeks to address the ongoing issue of swimmer safety in Britain's waterways using underwater sensors that measure daily pollution levels and provide up-to-date readings.

The sensors have been installed in popular Shropshire sections of the River Severn, which runs through Wales and West England.

The app was created by the River Severn Partnership, which includes officials from the Shropshire council and the Environment Agency. They hope that it can increase awareness of the issues surrounding British waters and improve knowledge of when it's safe to swim in them.

Environment Agency water specialist Tom Coekin explained how the complex sensors work. He told the BBC: "It takes a reading every day, and then about once a week someone will come along and recharge them."

"All that information uses telemetry to come through to the application itself and online so that members of the public can read it."

Water pollution in the UK

Water pollution has become a hot-button issue in the UK. High levels of harmful bacteria and chemicals in British and Northern Irish rivers, lakes, and seas have forced open water swimmers and other water-based athletes to reconsider their activities and think twice before taking a dip.

Waterways are heavily polluted by the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and the billions of gallons of untreated sewage released by water management companies each year.

The crisis has been especially hard on open water swimmers and other water-based athletes like rowers.

Last year, several rowers in the historic Oxford-Cambridge boat race fell ill after high levels of E. coli were detected in the River Thames. At least 35 competitors also experienced sickness after swimming in the Berkshire stretch of the river as part of the Royal Windsor Triathlon in June.

The organization behind the historic Henley Swim open water race has been forced to close its doors following a huge drop in participation as fears about pollution continue to spread.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

An Olympic open water swimmer has become the first person to swim across the largest lakes in England, Wales, and Scotland in under 24 hours, to raise money and awareness for the ongoing pollution crisis in British waters.

Hector Pardoe, 24, swam the lengths of Lake Windermere, Lake Bala, and Loch Lomond, to complete a total distance of 34 miles (55km) in an effort inspired by the popular three peaks hiking challenge.

His efforts have so far raised upwards of $10,500 (£7,803) for Surfers Against Sewage, an organization dedicated to turning the tide on harmful pollution levels in Britain's lakes, rivers, and seas.

Pardoe, who's raced at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, hopes his challenge will alert people to the issues facing open water swimmers and other users of Britain's waterways.

He told the BBC: "Sport is a thing of national pride and we're one of the best nations per capita across the world.

"We're always finishing inside of the top five in the Olympic Games, but we're lagging behind in many areas of water pollution."

Pollution in British waters

The pollution of British waters has become an issue of national concern in recent years, with open water swimmers and other athletes particularly worried about the high levels of harmful bacteria and chemicals in British rivers, lakes, and seas.

Along with the excessive use of fertilizer and pesticides, waterways are heavily polluted by the billions of gallons of untreated sewage released by water management companies each year.

Open water swimmers and other athletes have been feeling the effects. Last year, several rowers in the historic Oxford-Cambridge boat race fell ill after high levels of E. coli were detected in the historic River Thames, while at least 35 competitors experienced sickness after swimming in the Berkshire stretch of the river as part of the Royal Windsor Triathlon in June.

"I was fortunate enough to start open water swimming when I was 12, but we're seeing a constant closure of open water venues across the country," continued Pardoe.

"More and more rivers, lakes are being deemed unsafe to swim due to sewage discharge."

Despite the dire state of play, Pardoe believes that British waters aren't beyond help, using his training facility at Lago d'Orta in Northern Italy as an example of what can be achieved.

"Industry meant this was one of the most polluted lakes in all of Italy about 50 years ago. There was very little marine life, and it was pretty much considered filthy," he explained.

"But there was a project to clean it up, and now it's one of the cleanest lakes in the country. The water is stunning and such an amazingly powerful story."

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Open water swimmers in Germany can head into wild waters with a little more confidence, following the introduction of 'Dolphin' lifeguarding drones at multiple popular spots.

These small, remote-controlled devices are designed to help wild swimmers in emergencies, providing something for them to hold on to and safely tugging them back to shore.

They're a little over a yard long and can reach speeds of up to 16 miles per hour (25kmph) on their way to a person, and 3.1mph (5kmph) with two adults holding on. On board, there's a video camera that sends feedback to the drone operator. The devices can be controlled from up to roughly half a mile away (800m).

These potentially life-saving machines have popped up at 14 open water swimming spots around Germany as part of a testing programme run by the German Life-Saving Association (DLRG).

The DLRG began the programme after a deadly 2024 for German swimmers. There were 411 drowning deaths in the nation last year, the highest number since the pandemic and a significant jump compared to the 380 in 2023.

The devices, known officially as Dolphin 3s, are made by Hong Kong company, OceanAlpha, and are already in consistent use by Chinese lifeguarding organizations.

The OceanAlpha website reads: "Dolphin 3 can propel itself to rescue a casualty faster than any skilled swimmer, while the rescuer can operate it with a remote controller to stay safe and dry."

• The best first aid kits: be prepared for accidents and emergencies
• The best water shoes: gear up for wild aqua adventures

Open water swimmers will return to the Chicago River for the first time in over 98 years, after officials approved plans for a new Chicago River Swim race.

The last organized open water swimming event in the river was held in 1926, and organizers have opted against a return in recent years due to health and safety concerns. After denying the permit last year, officials have finally approved the planned event, which will take place next month.

The race will pit 500 qualified swimmers against each other over a one or two-mile race through downtown Chicago. It's been made possible after increased efforts to clean up the river and will raise funds for ALS research, local learn-to-swim efforts, and other charitable causes.

“The return of the Chicago River Swim marks a major victory for our city - a testament to decades of hard work revitalizing our river,” says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

US Olympic bronze medalist Natalie Hinds will be among those taking part and says she feels "truly honored to be the featured athlete."

“Partnering with an event that champions local learn‑to‑swim programs in Chicago is both inspiring and deeply meaningful to me," reads her statement.

How to apply

Does swimming the Chicago River sound exciting to you? It's not just Olympians taking part!

Applications are currently open to the public and will remain so until Monday, August 18. There's no application fee, but prior swimming experience and fundraising efforts are required.

You can see further details and apply here.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Need some new kit to wear as you wade into open waters this summer? Iconic swimming brand Speedo has come out with three new editions to their open water swimming range to help you navigate wild waters in comfort.

The new mask-style goggles and swimsuit were designed for swimmers who love an adventure and can't wait to get moving in the water.

Read on for our run-down of the latest kit.

Biofuse 2.0 Mask goggles

The Biofuse 2.0 Mask goggles are a water-sports-friendly pair, designed for unimpeded vision. They're made from flexible silicone and feature a unique curved lens, so you can benefit from an expanded field of vision as you make your way through the water.

They're kept in place by an updated split strap design, which aims to provide plenty of stability without sacrificing comfort.

At $52 (£32), the Biofuse 2.0 Mask goggles aren't outrageously priced, but certainly fall towards the expensive end of the goggles price range.

Hydrosity Mask Goggles

Speedo says that its new Hydrosity Mask goggles are a great all-rounder for maximum visibility during both indoor and outdoor swimming.

They feature a split strap lens like the Biofuse 2.0 Mask goggles, but have a different one-piece lens. The view on offer is a little slimmer, but still provides unobstructed visuals according to Speedos.

At $38 (£23), the Hydrosity Mask Goggles are a slightly more budget-friendly alternative to Speedos' other new goggles.

Women's Long Sleeve Zip Back One Piece

The new women's Long Sleeve Zip Back One Piece is designed to be a versatile option for swimming, surfing, or whatever else you're doing in open water.

It's made from Speedo's 'Ocean Flex Fabric', which combines nylon, elastane, and spandex to create a durable suit that's meant to be resistant to chlorine and pilling.

The Long Sleeve Zip Back One Piece, which costs $144 (£120), features a back zip pocket, and a full mesh lining designed to promote water flow.

For more wild water swimming advice, check out our expert guide to the best open water swimming gear.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Rescuers at Sequoia National Park have found a body in the search for a missing Californian woman who was swept away from the shore while trying to help her sister.

Jomarie Calasanz, 26, was pulled into fast-moving waters in the Kaweah River and carried away on May 25. After two months of searching, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park shared a statement on Wednesday, July 30, saying that rescuers had located a body and confirmed it to be hers.

The search, which took place throughout June and July, included the use of drones, ground teams, dive teams, and dogs, but was brought to a halt by dangerous weather conditions in July.

Calasanz's body was finally discovered on July 24, less than a mile from where she had disappeared.

"Water flow calculations were continually monitored, and it was determined July 24 would be the first and best opportunity to safely locate Jomarie," reads the statement.

"The National Park Service, Sheriff Boudreaux, and the men and women of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office offer our deepest condolences to Jomarie's family."

The La Puente resident had been swimming with her sister, Joanne, who was pulled away from the shore by a strong current. Calasanz swam out to save her sister before both women were dragged further. Joanne told the Los Angeles Times that she was able to find her footing, but Jomarie was swept into the river.

After the discovery, Francis Calasanz thanked the rescue crews, and everyone involved in the search in a Facebook post on behalf of the Calasanz family.

It reads: "Praise God for an amazing outcome to such a terrible tragedy. We thank Him and His Goodness and though our hearts remain heavy with sorrow, we are deeply grateful to share that Jomarie has been found, and after 65 days, we can now bring her home to rest."

Open water safety

Following the announcement, officials at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park took the opportunity to warn visitors about the water's dangers.

"We would like to remind the public that rivers remain dangerous even with lower flow rates later in the season," they said in a statement.

"Please stay away from swift water, be sure to wear a life jacket, and keep children close along the river’s edge."

Swimming in open water can be a safe and enjoyable activity if done right, but it's important to remember the essentials.

• Be wary of currents - Strong currents can be extremely dangerous. Make sure you know how to spot one, and if you're caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore until it peters out
• Check the water quality - Rivers, ponds, and open water environments can fall victim to dangerous water pollution. Check pollution levels before you take a dip with the How's My Waterway map in the US and the Surfers against Sewage map in the UK.
• Don't jump in - You never know what lies beneath the surface, so wade, don't jump into open water. A belly flop could endanger you and nearby wildlife.
• Swim with others - Mitigate the risks of open water swimming by taking a friend or going with a group that can offer assistance in the case of an emergency.
• Wear the right gear - Good swimming kit is essential in open water environments. Rivers, lakes, seas, and ponds are almost always colder than open-air and indoor pools, so don't be afraid to wear a wetsuit. If you start to feel chilly, leave the water and wrap yourself in something insulating like a reliable changing robe.

For more open water safety guidance, check out our expert guide.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

After months of anticipation, Amazon Prime Day is here and in full swing, offering great deals on all sorts of outdoor gear on Amazon. There are plenty of bargains to choose from, including big reductions on well-rated Garmin sports watches, trail running shoes, and more, but funnily enough, many of the best camping deals aren't on Amazon at all.

Several big-name outdoor retailers have also cut their prices in a bid to keep up with Amazon's Prime Day madness. As a result, there are loads of great outdoor deals to choose from at other retailers like REI, Backcountry and Dick's Sporting Goods.

To save you time and money, we've scrolled through all the major sales to find the top five camping deals currently available.

Among our picks, you'll find insulating sleeping bags like the Kelty Cosmic 20 and Patagonia Fitz Roy Down, which are both over $100 off. There are also great backpacking tent deals to take advantage of, including the waterproof Tadpole SL tent from The North Face, which can be stuffed into a small portable bag and is now available for just $300 at Dick's Sporting Goods.

Read on for our full list and a roundup of today's best tent, sleeping bag, and camping stove deals from across the web.

Our favorite camping deals

More epic deals

Stick with Advnture for handpicked deals from the Amazon Prime Day sale, which runs until July 11.

• The best camping tents: for superb backcountry adventures
• The best sleeping bags: for comfort in camp

Fancy listening to your favorite tunes as you run, swim, or hike through the wilderness? Shokz's versatile range of open-ear headphones is designed to help you do just that. It's super-smart models use the latest tech to transmit audio without sacrificing your senses, and are now up to £64 off this Amazon Prime Day.

Rather than lodging in your ear canal like regular earbuds, Shokz models sit outside, often wrapping around your ear with a hook design. There, they use the latest technology, like bone-conduction, to play your favorite music and podcasts without eliminating outside noise. This can be especially useful for runners, who need to have their wits about them to navigate and avoid collisions on busy trails.

Different Shokz models are suited to different activities. The best-selling OpenRun headphones are made for the trails and fit tightly around your ears, so are unlikely to fall off. Right now, they've been reduced to just £89 on Amazon.

If swimming's more your thing, check out the OpenSwim Pro headphones, which are suitable for depths down to 6.6ft (2m) up to two hours at a time. They're now down from £169 to just £135.

Continue reading for our top three deals or check out the Amazon Prime Day Shokz sale for yourself.

Shokz deals

More epic deals

Stick with Advnture for more handpicked deals from the Amazon Prime Day sale, which runs until July 11.

• The best running headphones: tested on the roads and trails
• Trail running tech: the best gadgets for off-road adventures

Open water gear has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, and now Zone3 is taking the next step, with a range of kit that's greener, sleeker, and aims to please swimmers of all levels.

There's a lot to get excited about in the new range, so click through the jump links below to skip ahead for more detail or just keep scrolling...

Vanquish-X Limited Edition wetsuit - a top of the range wetsuit brimming with new tech that's designed to keep you swimming harder, faster and for longer.

2025 Aspire wetsuit - redesigned for 2025, this mid-range suit is now made from biodegradable B-prene material and with a refined fit based on athlete and customer feedback.

Active-Flex wetsuit - a multi-use wetsuit aimed at people dipping their toe into water sports for the first time. it features a Yulex natural rubber chest panel for core insulation and is easier to get on and off than smoothskin swim-specific wetsuits.

Thermotech changing robe - a high performance robe designed for the worst conditions. We think the fully waterproof outer lined with Sherpa fleece will appeal to winter wild swimmers.

Active-Flex changing robe - with a budget-friendly price point, slimmer fit, and less bulk than other robes, the Active-Flex is designed with packability in mind, without sacrificing technical features.

Microfiber changing robe - if you're a summer-only swimmer or festival goer, then this may be the best option for you. Super light, quick drying, and budget friendly, it may be simple, but it ticks a lot of boxes.

Vanquish-X Limited Edition wetsuit

Star of the new season is the Vanquish-X Limited Edition, a top of the range wetsuit designed for serious open water event swimmers and triathletes. The limited edition suit includes Bio-Rubber material on the back lumber and front thighs, that Zone3 says improves blood flow and reduces fatigue build up in the legs, and an Alpha Titanium lining on the upper body to improve warmth and circulation.

It features a 1mm X-10 Extreme Shoulder Panel for range of movement, Body Rotation Enhancement tech in the chest to improve distance per stroke, and Cool-Spot forearm panels to improve feel and catch in the water.

It's a high tech suit and that comes at a price, with the brand calling it "arguably one of the best wetsuits in the world", but for swimmers who want to tackle the longest distances and the hardest races, it may well prove worth it.

The Vanquish-X Limited Edition is available now for $1233.70 (US) or £999 (UK). It comes with a free Transition backpack, Venator-X goggles and silicone swim cap.

What is Bio-Rubber?

If you've never heard of Bio-Rubber before you're not alone, but it sounds like a winner to us. Zone3 says its a cutting edge material that collects energy from the atmosphere and re-emits it for absorption into the body.

Made from synthetic rubber, in a honeycomb structure and sandwiched between a technical woven thread, it actually emits infrared rays into the body, changing the way the wearer feels warmth.

The company says the material is proven to increase blood flow by opening the capillaries, reducing lactic acid and fatigue build up in the leg muscles - particularly important for triathletes about to jump on a bike after their swim, but equally useful for long distance open water swimmers churning out the miles.

2025 Aspire wetsuit

The Aspire wetsuit has been redesigned for 2025, and now uses biodegradable 'B-prene' Yamamoto neoprene, derived from limestone. That means that, when it reaches the end of its life, it can biodegrade entirely in landfill, unlike suits made from petrochemical-derived neoprene. Zone3 says it's the first and only brand in the world to work with Yamamoto to develop B-prene swim wetsuits.

The 2025 Aspire features an SCS nano coating, designed to reduce drag, body rotation enhancement panel (also seen in the Vanquish-X Limited Edition), sensory catch forearm panels and Silk-X lining and Pro Speed cuffs, aimed at speeding up transitions for triathletes. We have an Aspire wetsuit on test at the moment, so look out for a review once we've put it through its paces, but we can already attest that it is really easier to get on and off than other wetsuits we've tried.

The Aspire costs $973.70 (US) or £549 (UK) from Zone3.

Active-Flex wetsuit

Newbies to wild swimming and water sports probably don't want to drop a thousand-plus dollars on a wetsuit, even if they are planning to enter an event the same year.

The new Active-Flex wetsuit is designed for people just starting out and, unlike smoothskin wetsuits, it won't get grated by the surface of a paddleboard or surfboard. There are also strategically-placed orange panels for added open water safety, and reinforced knee panels for use in board sports.

While dedicated open water suits tend to be designed for maximum leg floatation, which helps speed up a swimmer's freestyle stroke, the Active-Flex has thinner neoprene in the legs and a large gusset panel to allow legs to stay submerged. This makes it far easier to swim breaststroke wearing it. It's also easier to get on and off than smoothskin suits as the fabric tends to be stretchier.

It's available for £189 (UK only).

Thermotech changing robe

Like many of the best changing robes, the Thermotech is packed with features that we love to see. The lining and outer shell are made from recycled polyester, with the outer treated with a Bionic-Finish Eco® coating to keep it waterproof.

The zip is covered with a storm flap and poppers to keep the wind and rain out, and the cuffs are fully adjustable. It has five pockets for storage, two of which are zipped - one inner and one outer. This may not seem much of a big deal, but most changing robes only have one zipped pocket, so we think this is a welcome addition. The hood is over-sized, so it should easily fit over your favorite beanie during the colder season, and is adjustable.

The robe is lined with Sherpa fleece, to wick away moisture quickly and keep you cozy once you're out of the water.

We have a Thermotech robe on test right now, so check back for a full review soon. It's available for £155 (UK only) and comes in sizes S to XL.

Active-Flex changing robe

The Active-Flex changing robe is a slimmer cut than the Thermotech, and is designed to be more packable, so if you're after a technical robe you can still stuff in your dry bag, this is worth a look.

Like the Thermotech, it's made from recycled polyester and has a water-resistant outer shell, Sherpa fleece lining, adjustable hood and four pockets.

The Active-Flex changing robe costs £99 (UK only), in sizes XS to XL.

Microfiber changing robe

Sometimes less is more when it comes to water sports kit. If you're a warm weather water baby, or simply want something super packable for your wild swimming adventures, then Zone3's microfiber changing robe could be a good fit.

Zone3 says it's quick drying, light, and features a spacious hood and large front pocket. It also comes in its own carry case, so you can pack it down extra small.

It should also appeal to festival goers, with a wallet-friendly list price of £29 (UK only) and comes in khaki or black and grey (shown above).

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best dry bags: keep your gear bone dry during adventures on land and water
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

The bodies of two women have been pulled from the water in Wales’ Eryri National Park, formerly Snowdonia.

They were discovered in the waters of the Nant Gwynant valley, near the challenging Watkin Path up Yr Wyddfa, otherwise known as Mount Snowdon.

North Wales Police and workers from the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team arrived at the scene on Wednesday night (June 11), following reports of a woman in the water. A second woman was also discovered, and both were pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gibson has confirmed that an investigation is underway and asked for information from anyone "who may have been walking in or around the Watkin Path area between 6pm and 9pm" on Wednesday.

Social media spots

The pools and waterfalls near the Watkin Path have become a popular destination in recent years, due in part to the influence of social media.

Videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok show trekkers stripping off for a dip in the clear mountain pools.

But recent heavy rainfall across North Wales has turned the formerly gentle waters violent and created a dangerous undercurrent. The water is also extremely chilly and can cause cold-water shock. It's not yet clear how the two women died.

Local councilor June Jones told the BBC: "Social media encourages people to go to these wonderful places and, of course, the water can be extremely cold."

Open water swimming safety

With the right equipment and proper preparation, open water swimming can be a safe, enjoyable way to cool off and exercise.

If you're eager to take a dip in mountain waters, like the ones in Eryri, check out some of our expert safety advice.

• Don't swim solo - You can mitigate the risks of open water swimming by taking an experienced friend or going with a group, who can help out in an emergency situation.
• Look out for pollution - Rivers, lakes, and even fresh water pools can be susceptible to pollution. You can check the water quailty using the the How's My Waterway map in the US and the Surfers against Sewage map in the UK.

• Watch out for dangerous currents - Currents and undercurrents can be life-threatening in open water. Learn how to spot one, and if you're caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore until it peters out.
• Don't jump in - Open water is often home to debris and plenty of wildlife, so keep yourself safe by wading in slowly. Don't jump in.
• Wear the right kit - Reliable gear is essential for swimming in open water, which is almost always colder than open-air and indoor pools. If you're feeling chilly, get out and wrap yourself in something insulating like a warm robe.

For more open water swimming safety guidance, check out our full guide.

• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea
• The best wild swimming gear: what to wear and what to take

Authorities in England have urged people to respect open water and avoid dangerous situations after multiple deaths in water-related accidents last year.

Data from the National Water Safety Forum reveals that there were 193 fatal accidents in 2024, most taking place in inland waters, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals, and quarries.

The NWSF said that many of these waterways remain extremely cold all year round and can cause dangerous cold-water shock upon entry.

"Cold water shock is the body’s response to sudden immersion in cold water, leading to an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and loss of swimming ability," explains the NWSF website.

"This can result in drowning, especially if the person falls into the water unexpectedly."

Rescuers from the Midlands Air Ambulance advised swimmers to take precautions and stick to designated swimming areas, after 18 water-related accidental deaths in the region last year.

"Often we find that people enter the water and don't understand the dangers of it, they don't respect the water," critical care paramedic Luke Webb told the BBC.

"They get into difficulty because of cold water shock, external, or they're not swimming in designated areas."

Webb advises those in trouble to lie back, float, and attempt to breathe normally to maximize their chances of survival.

Open water swimming safety

When done properly, open water swimming can be a fun and safe way to cool off and get your exercise.

If you're eager to take a dip in open waters, check out some of our expert safety advice.

• Don't swim on your own - The best way to mitigate the risks of open water swimming is by taking an experienced friend or group of fellow open water swimmers.
• Check the water quality - Dangerous bacteria like E. coli is very common in open water, especially after heavy rainfall. You can check pollution levels using the How's My Waterway map in the US and the Surfers against Sewage map in the UK.

• Look out for currents - Strong currents can present a very real danger, whether you're swimming in a river or the ocean. Make sure you know how to spot one, and if you're caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore until it peters out.
• Suit up for conditions - Reliable open water swimming kit is a non-negotiable for taking a dip in the wild. Rivers, lakes, and seas are almost always colder than open-air and indoor pools, so prepare for a chilly dip. If you feel too cold, leave the water and wrap yourself in something insulating like a reliable changing robe.
• Don't jump in - Wade into open water rather than jumping. You never know what lies beneath the surface, and a belly flop could endanger you and nearby wildlife.

For more open water swimming safety guidance, check out our expert guide.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

After years of rising pollution levels in UK wild waters there is finally some good news for open water swimmers. Thames Water, the largest water management company in the UK, has been hit with the biggest fine ever from regulator Ofwat following two major investigations.

It has been fined £104.5 million for breaches of rules relating to its wastewater operations, which saw dangerous levels of pollution regularly being discharged into rivers. And it's been fined an extra £18.2 million for breaking rules related to dividend payments, which saw shareholders receive large payouts that were "undeserved".

Oftwat has said the fines are to be paid by the company and its investors, and not by customers.

The regulator's investigation into how the company was managing its treatment works and wastewater network uncovered "failings that have amounted to a significant breach of the company’s legal obligations, which has caused an unacceptable impact on the environment and customers", Ofwat announced in a release.

Releasing raw sewage poses significant risk to the environment and human health for those swimming in a river or sea where sewage is being discharged.

The fines come following years of criticism and campaigning by activists and charities who have shone a light on the repeated discharges and leaks that have polluted the UK's wild waters.

Earlier this month, an open water swimming company, responsible for multiple river races, closed following a huge drop in entrant numbers caused by concern about water safety.

A study in 2024, found the level of pollution in the Thames to be "tens of thousands of times what it should be". Along with fertilizer and pesticides, the Thames is heavily polluted by the billions of gallons of untreated sewage released by water management company Thames Water every year.

Despite new tech being implemented by water companies in the UK to inform wild swimmers about real-time water quality, campaigners say it is not enough.

The future of Thames Water

James Wallace, CEO of campaign group River Action, said about the fines: “What a miserable mess. Thames Water poured sewage into our rivers for nearly 300,000 hours last year while racking up over £22 billion in debt. It has ripped off customers, damaged the environment, and failed to invest in solutions.

“At last, we are seeing a government using the law and punishing a major polluter. But nothing will change unless the privatization of Thames Water stops. The Secretary of State...must now put this failing company into Special Administration and restructure its ownership and governance so it can be owned by and operated for public benefit. Only then will the River Thames and customers see an end to pollution for profit.”

Earlier this month, the boss of Thames Water, Chris Weston, told Government ministers that the survival of the company depended on Ofwat being lenient over penalties. However, critics blame excessive payouts to executives and shareholders, rather than investment in improving infrastructure, for the company's financial troubles.

Less than two weeks ago, company bosses admitted they planned to use part of a £3 billion bailout loan to pay huge bonuses to top executives. The company has since said that the payouts have been "paused" but has not clarified whether any bonus payments had already been made.

• Keep warm after your swim with the best changing robes
• Protect your feet from cuts and scrapes with the best water shoes

Open water swimmers in the Lake District have come together to fight planned changes to an iconic body of water.

Protesters gathered at Crummock Water on Sunday, May 11, in opposition to the planned removal of a local weir, which would have a significant impact on the popular open water swimming spot.

Water management company United Utilities wants to remove the 100-year-old weir to return the lake to its 'natural state', after it stopped using Crummock Water in 2023.

The proposed removal would reduce the lake's water level by about four-and-a-half feet (1.4m), something that protesters say would do irreversible harm to the area and its open water swimming community.

The Friends of Crummock campaign group is worried that a lower water level would expose the mud, rocks and debris on the shore, which is currently lined with gravel beaches, and that could make swimming inaccessible.

Open water swimmer Nicky Cockburn, who attended the protest, wants the weir to be maintained, rather than removed. She credits swimming at Crummock for helping her fight cancer and lymphedema.

"For me, coming here really helps my mental and physical health, there’s loads of us who have issues like that and swim every day of the year here," she told Cumbria Crack.

"I have swum with otters here, and this morning I saw oystercatchers fly over. They say protected species like the Arctic Char and other animals will adapt, but I’m really worried they’ll just disappear if the water level is dropped," she continued.

If it's not destroyed, United Utilities says the weir will need significant upgrading and construction by 2028. They claim it would then need to be monitored every ten years, and could require significant future investment.

United Utilities submitted formal plans to the Lake District Authority to significant backlash in mid-April. In the month since, more than 7,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to their plans, and more than 275 sent letters of objection to the Authority.

"In just a few weeks, we’ve had enormous support, but this is just the start, and we will keep pushing until United Utilities do the right thing," Friends of Crummock co-founder James Lasher told the Cumbria Crack.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

An open water swimming company, responsible for multiple iconic river races, has collapsed following an "unprecedented" drop in participation.

Henley Swim has run open water swimming events in England's River Thames for more than 20 years, including popular races like the Henley Classic and Thames Marathon.

Their events had previously been highlights of the English open water swimming calendar. However, growing concern about water safety has put thousands off racing, according to organizers.

"The relentless publicity about the quality of the water in the Thames has put thousands of people off the idea of open water swimming which has led to an unprecedented drop in the number of registrations," the firm said in a statement.

"The company has only ever existed to provide safe, wonderful open water swimming events here in the Thames at Henley.

"We do not have the reserves to be able to weather such a dramatic down-turn in revenue, through no fault of our own."

British and Northern Irish waters have come under immense scrutiny in recent years, being described as a ‘chemical cocktail’ in a report by lawmaker.

The Thames has registered extremely high levels of harmful bacteria and other potentially harmful pollutants. Wildlife expert Steve Backshall commissioned a study in 2024, which found the level of pollution in the Thames near Henley to be "tens of thousands of times what it should be".

"We have norovirus, E. coli, and enterovirus all present at levels way higher than you would need to get sick from being close to the river. In fact, in some cases, so high that the laboratory technician refused to open them," Backshall said in a post on Instagram.

Along with the excessive use of fertilizer and pesticides, the Thames is heavily polluted by the billions of gallons of untreated sewage released by water management company Thames Water every year.

River-goers have been feeling the effects. Last year, several rowers in the historic Oxford-Cambridge boat race fell ill after high levels of E. coli were detected in the Thames, while at least 35 competitors experienced sickness after swimming in the Berkshire stretch of the river as part of the Royal Windsor Triathlon in June.

In a statement originally made to the BBC, Thames Water said: "We are committed to seeing waterways thrive, but we can't do it alone. Farming, industry, road runoff, wildlife and increasingly extreme weather also play a role in river health."

If you're planning on wild swimming this summer, make sure to check for pollution levels first. You can look online for the How's My Waterway map in the US and the Surfers against Sewage map in the UK.

For more on river safety, check out our expert guide to safe open water swimming.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Authorities in Wales are urging people to stay out of the nation's largest lake after sightings of toxic blue-green algae blooms.

The dangerous bacteria have been spotted near the shoreline of Llyn Tegid, otherwise known as Bala Lake in Wales's Eryri National Park (formerly Snowdonia).

"Please be careful around the lake and avoid contact with the algae," warns a statement from park chiefs.

"If you're planning to visit Llyn Tegid, please familiarise yourself with the safety information on the public notice boards around the lake."

Home to 1.9 square miles (4.8km²) of serene open water, Llyn Tegid is a popular spot for open water swimmers. It hosts plenty of casual swims and several organized races each year, where swimmers compete in the shadow of Arenig Mountain.

What is blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae is a natural phenomenon that often appears in lakes during the summer months. It's caused by a combination of warm temperatures and nutrients, which discolor and increase toxicity in open waters.

But the blooms are "toxic to humans and animals, and skin contact with, or ingestion of the algae can cause mild to severe illness," continued the statement.

Coming into contact with blue-green algae can cause the following:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Skin rashes
• Joint and muscle pain
• Fever

How to check for water pollution

If you're keen to take a dip in open waters this summer, make sure to familiarise yourself with the potential dangers.

Check online for warnings and be vi yourself before getting in the water. Blooms are easily identified by brightly colored scum, which is often found near the shoreline.

Seek immediate medical assistance if you, somebody nearby, or a pet has come into contact with blue-green algae and starts feeling unwell.

You can look for blue-green algae and other pollutants like E. coli online at How's My Waterway map in the US and the Surfers against Sewage map in the UK.

For more on lake safety, check out our expert guide to safe open water swimming.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Authorities in the UK are urging open water swimmers to act with caution after a teenager drowned in a popular lake.

The 16-year-old died after getting into difficulty while swimming in Colwick Country Park lake on Wednesday afternoon (April 30).

The emergency services were called and a police underwater search team discovered his body a few hours later. The boy’s family have been informed and are now being supported by specially-trained officers.

"This is a tragic discovery and our thoughts are with this boy's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time," said Police Chief Inspector David Mather, before urging swimmers to avoid risks in open water.

"As in this tragic case, open water can have hidden dangers that can prove fatal and I would urge anyone who spends any time on or near open water to use this case as a devastating reminder of that."

It's not yet clear how the boy got into difficulty, but this death is not being treated as suspicious.

Group Manager Tom Staples, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service added: "This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of open water. We urge everyone to take care around lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water. "

While it can be safe and enjoyable, open water swimming carries multiple risks, including cold water shock and illness from bacteria and pollution in the water.

Safety advice

If you're planning on open water swimming, make sure to prepare in advance and check out our essential safety tips.

• Don't go alone - From rip currents to cold conditions, open water swimming carries multiple risks. A friend or group of other open water swimmers can get help and potentially save your life in an emergency situation.
• Prepare for conditions - The best open water swimming gear is essential for a safe and enjoyable swim. Rivers, lakes, and seas are almost always colder than open-air and indoor pools, so get yourself ready for a chilly dip. If you feel too cold, leave the water and wrap yourself in something insulating like a changing robe.
• Don't jump in - Never jump into open water. It can be unclear where the bottom is and what lies beneath the surface, so wade in slowly and carefully.

• Monitor the water quality - Open water can contain dangerous bacteria like E. coli, particularly after heavy rainfall. You can check pollution levels using the How's My Waterway map in the US and the Surfers against Sewage map in the UK.
• Keep an eye out for currents - Strong currents can carry you off course, whether you're swimming in a river or the ocean. Ensure you can spot one, and if you're caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore until it peters out.

For more open water swimming safety tips, check out our expert guide.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Fancy a tough swim? Why not try endurance athlete Ross Edgley's latest challenge?

In the coming weeks, the British open water swimmer is taking on a historic first, aiming to swim around the entire Icelandic coastline in record time. That's more than 1,000 miles (1,610km) in no more than 100 days.

To complete his mammoth challenge, the 39-year-old will have to swim upwards of 18 miles (29km) a day in temperatures as low as 33.8°F (1°C) and choppy Nordic seas. He's likely to encounter wind gusts of up to 160 miles per hour (257kmph) and share the seas with killer whales.

Edgley forged a name for himself in 2018 by becoming the first and so far only person to swim all 1,780 miles (2,864km) around Great Britain. Last year, he completed the world's longest non-stop river swim, travelling a whopping 317 miles (510km) down Canada's Yukon River.

Edgley is taking on his latest crazy challenge to push the limits of human performance and aid in two 'pioneering' scientific studies.

While swimming, Ross will take water samples, which will be sent back to researchers at the University of Iceland and the University of Victoria (Canada) to monitor pollution levels.

He's also teamed up with the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute of Iceland to help map biodiversity and monitor the creatures swimming alongside him off the Icelandic coast.

Ross explained his motivation behind this latest challenge, saying: "I grew up with my grandad telling me stories of great explorers navigating every fjord, bay, and beach for the first time in the late 9th century.

"Now I’m a little older, I would love to follow in their footsteps, but since I’m not much of a sailor, swimming around it seemed like the next logical choice.”

He adds: “But in all seriousness, Iceland is one of nature’s great masterpieces, and swimming around it represents a unique opportunity to fuse sport, adventure, and science.

"We’re working with some incredible researchers from the University of Iceland and the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute to conduct pioneering research that will help preserve and protect our oceans."

Christophe Pampoulie, research director of the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute of Iceland, said: “Coastal areas are rarely studied in Iceland due to the lack of small research boats.

"The collection of environmental DNA by Ross and his team will drastically improve our knowledge on species distribution and biodiversity.”

Ross begins his challenge next week.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

When Devon-based company Dryrobe seized on the concept of a wearable towel and transformed it into a multifunctional garment, a whole new category was born, and now there are plenty of great changing robes around for wild swimmers and paddlers to choose from, including the Heatwave, a big, bold offering from Bluefin, a brand best known for their stand-up paddle boards (SUPs).

Experienced outdoor types well know the multifaceted value of a good camping towel, but full-on robes such as the Heatwave, which looks at first glance to be a cloak so substantial it could protect you against anything up to (and possibly including) a nuclear winter, have proved themselves so practical and popular that many people wear them while wandering around well away from the waterside, as wind-stopping, chill-beating onesies at the end of running events, in campsites and even at festivals.

I took delivery of this one in mid January and although I do need to point out (lest the images look a little odd) that I ended up with a size too large (our admin error, not Bluefin’s fault) I have been enjoying it’s voluminous and cozy embrace ever since.

Fit, design and materials

I have been testing an XL version of the Heatwave, whereas I would probably opt for a large in normal circumstances. That said, at 6’ 2” I do sometimes wear XL gear, and this robe still felt absolutely enormous, so bear this in mind if you too are on the cusp of a couple of sizes. Err on the small side, as this is a huge piece of kit which extends to well below your knees.

It might be massive, but impressively, the Heatwave is made with mostly recycled material. The windproof outer is entirely constructed with recycled nylon and the warm fluffy inner is comprised from 60% recycled ‘Sherpa’ fleece.

The most innovative feature of the Heatwave is the fact that the robe, which is primarily designed for use in colder temperatures, has detachable arms. The forearms can be unzipped and removed from the main body of the garment turning it into a short-sleeved robe, albeit one with a massively warm lining.

All the zips on this change robe are top quality, and the main one has a large pull loop on the zipper, so you can get it done up and undone even when your hands are shivering (or while you are wearing gloves).

The comprehensive and cozy hood on this robe can be adjusted with pull cords and toggles, while the cuffs (when you have the long arms on) can be tightened with large Velcro flaps. There are two deep hand pockets in the front of this robe (without zips), plus a zipped chest pocket and an inside pocket for phones (and other valuables/don’t want to loseables) that also has a zip, plus an outlet for a pair of headphones.

• Check out the best water shoes for aquatic adventures in all seasons
• Explore the best hiking sandals on the market

Sadly, the robe does not come with a stuff sack, which would be a good addition given its tendency to take over half your vehicle when packed loose. You can, of course, just employ a good-quality dry bag as a stuff sack. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll need a large one.

On the coast and in the field

As mentioned, my Heatwave robe was a bit on the generous side, but I certainly didn’t mind the extra coverage it supplied during the colder months, and I really can’t fault the protection it offered me after emerging from icy water, and also while I was wandering around in campsites in the chill of spring evenings and the mist of early mornings. The cut of the main garment is longer than most robes, which means you can keep your knees warm and safely get changed out of wet swimming/paddling gear in public without anyone calling the police.

I really love the soft-feel fleece-lined hand pockets, and I prefer the fact that they don’t feature zips, because they’re so much more comfortable and less abrasive without a row of metal teeth. For more important and looser items than your hands, the zipped inside pocket offers a secure storage place. This inner pouch easily accommodates a smart phone, and there is an outlet for headphones, for when you want to stroll along the windswept foreshore listening to some tunes.

The adjustable hood is excellent – you can properly pull it tight in windy conditions, and it protects your ears, neck and head from the elements. Likewise, the closure system on the cuffs reliably keeps drafts out and enables you to warm up nice and quickly after a bracing immersion.

The detachable arms are an interesting and innovative feature, and they do allow you dump some excess heat once you have stopped shivering. With its comprehensive and utterly weatherproof outer, and super chunky fleecy inner, however, the Heatwave is every bit as warm as the name promises it will be, and the robe remains a very toasty garment whether you have the wings on or not.

We’re still a long way from mid-summer here, but except after very early morning swims, I’m not sure I’ll be able to bear wearing this robe for too long when the outside temperature starts to rise – it feels like it will cook me pretty quick. Of course, this all depends on where you are and how much you feel the chill.

My main issue with the Bluefin Heatwave is with its immense weight; it feels like a robe that has been designed for SUPers, surfers, paddlers, van campers and other vehicle-based adventures, because that’s exactly what it is. Nothing wrong with that, but you do need to be aware of it if you’re a wild swimmer who likes to hike in to your bathing spots (you could of course wear it for the walk-in, but unless it’s a decidedly chilly day, you may well overheat). It’s also a very large garment to store when you’re not using it, and I would have liked to see a decent stuff sack included (even if it pushed the price up a bit), because it’s a big presence to have lying around.

Also Consider

A coroner in the United Kingdom has called for greater regulation of open water events after a 55-year-old man died while taking part in an organized swim.

Joel Kenneth Ineson drowned in Hetton Lyons Park in Sunderland on June 1, 2023 after suffering a cardiac event during the paid-for swim. He was first reported missing after failing to return home and his body wasn't found until hours later.

Now, senior coroner David Place is urging the government to take action to stop future deaths of a similar nature.

In his report about the prevention of future deaths, Place warned that the sport did not have sufficient safety measures or oversight to keep up with its growing popularity.

Although he said safety issues at the organized session did not cause Ineson's death, "the evidence highlighted uncertainty and confusion with regard to responsibility for aspects of safety measures," according to Place's report.

“Some participants did not receive a safety briefing, there was a lack of knowledge about the competency of swimmers, and no understanding of how many people were in the water at any one time."

Place also noted a lack of formal safety measures. Without an established UK body, he said organized open water swimming sessions currently have no specific requirements around risk assessments and emergency strategies.

"It became clear in evidence that the activity does not require a licence from the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority and can be undertaken and/or organised by anyone without regulation," he continued.

The report, which addresses British lawmakers directly, has now been sent to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, and CEO of the Health and Safety Executive, Sarah Newton. They have until June 5 to issue a formal response.

"In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I believe you have the power to take such action," wrote Place.

Open water swimming safety

Open water swimming is a fast-growing sport in the UK and elsewhere. It boasts a great many physical and mental benefits, but can also be dangerous. If you're keen to take a dip, think ahead and make sure that you're well prepared.

• Check the water quality - Rivers, lakes, seas, and ponds can host harmful pollutants like E. coli and toxic infestations like blue green algae, socheck the water quality before taking a dip in any open water. You can do this using the How's My Waterway map in the US and the Surfers against Sewage map in the UK.
• Watch out for currents - Coastal rip currents and strong river currents can carry you off course if you're not careful. Ensure that you know how to spot one. If you're caught in a strong current, swim parallel to the shore until it peters out.

• Prepare for conditions - The best wild swimming gear is comfortable and easy to swim in, so you can stay in the water for as long as you please. If you're too cold, don't be afraid to get out and warm yourself up in something insulating like a changing robe.
• Wade in safely - Wade in carefully and slowly - never jump. Open water is often murky, so it can be unclear where the bottom is. You could also land on something sharp or disturb the wildlife.
• Don't go alone - You don't want to be alone in an emergency, so bring a friend or join up with a local open swimming organization.

For a more open water safety tips, check out our expert guide.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Search and rescue officials at Yosemite National Park are urging visitors to take care around its freezing, fast-moving water as the peak summer season approaches.

The park's search and rescue team responds to roughly 15 to 20 water-related incidents every year in its ice-cold rivers and lakes, which present a life-threatening risk to open-water swimmers, and hikers.

"As water levels rise, so do their danger levels," explains a Yosemite Facebook post.

"Many of the park’s search and rescue cases involve visitors accidentally falling in after crossing streams, scrambling on rocks, or hiking near water. Take your time and use caution."

There are two major rivers in Yosemite National Park: the Merced and the Tuolumne. Both flow westward from the Sierra Nevada mountains and contain a significant amount of melted snow, which keeps the water cold all year round.

Yosemite also has more than 2,000 lakes, many of which are also fed by snowmelt and therefore dangerously cold.

"Swimming here is like swimming in an ice bath. Know your limits; even professional swiftwater rescuers need layers of insulation in the water," continues the post.

There are also significant dangers hidden under the surface, where powerful currents and hidden debris like tree branches and rocks can cause serious injury.

"If a sign says, 'No Swimming,' it is usually near a dangerous area where water-related incidents have happened in the past. When you see a sign, keep yourself safe and find a different location to enjoy."

Yosemite's Facebook post also includes a video in which officials simulate a water rescue from the rapid and icy currents.

"By the time I got here and they did the work to pull me out of the water, I was exhausted, and I was tired, I was cold, I was shaky," said park ranger Jason Deger, who acted as the victim of a water accident, and was pulled to safety by search and rescue workers.

If you fall into water with a strong current, Yosemite National Park advises you to "float on your back, direct your legs downstream, and point your feet up on the surface" to maximise your chances of survival.

For more safety tips, check out our expert guide to staying safe in open water.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

A Scottish woman has been hospitalized after wild swimming with friends to celebrate a birthday. After the swim she returned home, only to fall ill the next day with stomach pains and fatigue.

Shelly Sim of East Lothian contacted her doctor, who recommended she go straight to hospital, where she remained for five days with severe gastroenteritis and dehydration. After running tests, the hospital diagnosed her with cryptosporidium, a parasite that causes a diarrheal illness that you can pick up by swallowing contaminated water.

The parasite can be found in farm animals and can easily pass into their manure. Run-off from farmland after heavy rain can carry the parasite into surrounding rivers, lakes and seas.

"I spent five nights in hospital before I was allowed home, and I'm still recovering as this horrible thing takes two weeks to get out of your system," she revealed on social media, The Scottish Sun reported.

"So, the point of this post is to raise awareness about sticking to the rules of not swimming in certain areas after heavy rain."

Sim, who used to swim regularly to relieve the stress of being a carer, is now more cautious about when she enters open water.

"The first thing I do now is check outfalls. That's good, but it comes from a place of fear. I shouldn't be doing this. I should be checking the tide, not when was it heavy rain and if there were any spills.

"It impacted my son's mental health. He has OCD, ADHD and autism and I'm his carer. My illness caused a lot of anxieties and stress," she said.

Sim spoke out on social media after a new report from Surfers Against Sewage revealed that pollution could have been dumped in Scottish waters an average of every 90 seconds in 2024.

The report shines light on financial, environmental and public health failures of the water industry in Scotland and across the wider UK.

Pollution and unforeseen hazards can often make open water swimming risky if you're not prepared. If you're planning a wild swimming trip, read our article on how to stay safe in open water.

• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea
• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer

The best sport sandals combine a lightweight and comfortable fit with enough grip and protection for the trails and use under the waves. This versatile Keen pair ticks all the boxes, taking you from town to trail and doubling as water shoes when you fancy a dip.

Right now, you can save 25% and get your hands on the Keen Astoria West women's sandals for just $93.73 at REI.

These wilderness-ready sandals feature large, cushioned EVA foam midsoles and contoured arches for midfoot support so you can hike pain-free. The wide rubber toe-box was also designed with comfort in mind and offers ample protection if you encounter rocks underwater or on the trails.

The comfortable, bouncy construction impressed outdoors expert Sian Lewis. In her review for Advnture, Sian said: "Keen call this design a ‘wedge’ sandal, but don’t let that put you off – there’s no wobbly high platform here, just that higher sole that feels bouncy even if you tackle long distances."

She went on to describe the Astoria West as "a good and very versatile summer sandal."

The deal applies to women's sizing in the alluring Merlot/Scarlet Ibis colorway. If that's not your style, there are plenty of other colorways available for this pair's list price of $130.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for the best deals near you.

In addition to comfort, these Keen sandals aim to keep you upright in all conditions with a stable Aquagrip rubber outsole, which Sian found to be sufficiently sticky on dry and wet surfaces alike.

If you're not in the US, take a look at today's best Keen Astoria West sandals deals below:

• The best hiking sandals: breezy footwear for casual walks
• The best water shoes 2025: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Fancy a dip in America's deepest lake? You'll have to hurry, as officials have unveiled plans to ban open water swimmers after the summer season.

Swimming in Crater Lake, in south western Oregon, will be banned in 2026 and 2027, and all access to the lake will be cut off as part of a two-year restoration plan. Visitors to Crater Lake National Park will still be able to see the lake from viewpoints along its elevated rim.

At 1,949ft (594m) deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It spans more than 20 square miles and attracts upwards of 500,000 visitors each year, who come to marvel at its clear blue water and hike in the surrounding wilderness.

Open water swimmers can access the water by hiking down the scenic Cleetwood Cove trail. The crystal clear water is chilly all year round, but swimming areas are normally open from mid-June to October.

However, after this season, the Cleetwood Cove trail, and the swimming areas it leads to, will be closed until 2028, as reported by SFGATE.

Crater Lake restoration plans

The two-year restoration project aims to address various environmental and practical issues at Crater Lake. Many popular trails and cliff areas have been worn down by years of hiking and heavy rainfall, while infrastructure is in dire need of replacement.

The National Park Service has laid out its plans for the project on its website. They are as follows:

• Rehabilitate the Cleetwood Cove trail by improving the trail tread and retaining walls.
• Take rockfall mitigation measures in high-risk zones.
• Replace the old dock with a new, functioning marina.
• Replacing outdated and undersized toilets.

The work has been planned for the peak summer seasons to avoid hazardous winter weather and unsafe conditions.

Crater Lake National Park public information officer Marsha McCabe unveiled the plans and told SFGATE: "The significant annual snowfall at the Crater Rim limits access to the site and construction work to a few summer months."

Crater Lake was formed about 7,700 years ago when the ancient Mount Mazama volcano erupted and collapsed. This created a giant volcanic caldera, which naturally collects rainfall and melted snow to form the lake that exists today.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Authorities in Texas have urged lake-goers to act with caution after the death of a kayaker in Lake Benbrook, Fort Worth.

Robert Jones, 39, went missing on the afternoon of Saturday, March 29, when witnesses say his kayak flipped, but he did not return to the surface. Rescuers from a local dive team uncovered Robert's body the next day.

The incident occurred just 10 days after an 18-year-old kayaker died in a similar accident on the West Texas lake. Neither of the victims were wearing life jackets.

"We have a saying here at the park: 'Life jacket worn, nobody mourns," John White, Benbrook's park host, told WFAA.

"When you're in the water, anything can happen. You can cramp up, and that's all it takes; when you start cramping, you're going down."

Lake Benbrook encompasses six square miles (15.3km²) in Fort Worth, West Texas. It's a popular spot for tourists and locals, who come to relax at the idyllic spot.

Despite warm temperatures outside, the lake's water remains icy cold and can cause a shock to the system upon falling in. Like many lakes at this time of year, there are no lifeguards on duty at Benbrook.

"Please, please, watch your children closely when they are in or near the water," pleads the Fort Worth Engineers Corps website. The Engineers Corps helps to manage the lake and has issued advice for swimmers.

Spring swimming advice

If you're planning an icy dip this April, the Fort Worth Engineers Corps has published the following advice:

• Never swim alone
• Swim in designated areas
• Watch your children at all times
• Wear a life jacket if possible
• Don't swim while intoxicated
• Don't dive into lakes or rivers
• Don't rely on inflatable toys or vessels to stay afloat
• Don't overestimate your swimming ability

For more open water swimming tips, check out our expert safety guide.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Open water swimmers benefit from a significant boost to their mental health, more so than open-air pool swimmers, according to a new study.

Research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology studied 1,200 outdoor swimmers from 19 different countries and found that both open water and open-air pool swimmers enjoyed improved mood and lower levels of stress in the water.

However, open water swimmers reported 9% more happiness, worthwhileness, and satisfaction than their counterparts. These results were similar for swimmers taking a dip at both coastal and inland open water swimming locations.

"Open-water swims were associated with greater feelings of being 'free to be whom I am' than open-air pool swims and in turn this was associated with higher positive well-being and lower anxiety," reads the report.

Give it a go

These findings support the long-held belief among the open water swimming community that taking a dip in wild waters is better for you than swimming in a pool. Swimming and spending time in nature both have proven health benefits, so it's no wonder that combining the two boosts your mental health.

Fancy giving it a go yourself? On a hot day, it can be tempting to strip off and jump into wild water without a second thought, but there are some things you should be aware of first.

Read below for a few top tips for an enjoyable, safe swim in open water.

• Check the water quality - Regardless of how refreshing it looks, open water can often be dangerous. Rivers, lakes, seas, and ponds can host harmful pollutants like E. coli and toxic infestations like blue green algae. You should check the water quality before taking a dip in any open water. You can do this using the How's My Waterway map in the US and the Surfers against Sewage map in the UK.
• Watch out for currents - Coastal rip currents and strong river currents can carry you off course if you're not careful. Make sure you know how to spot one, and if you're caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore until it peters out.

• Prepare for conditions - Before you swim, make sure you're prepared with the right kit. The best wild swimming gear is comfortable and easy to swim in, so you can stay in the water for as long as you please. Open water swimming environments are almost always colder than open-air and indoor pools, so get yourself ready for a chilly dip. If you're too cold, don't be afraid to get out and warm yourself up in something insulating like a dry robe.
• Get in safely - Wade in carefully and slowly; don't jump! Open water is often murky, so it can be unclear where the bottom is. There's also the risk of landing on something sharp or disturbing the wildlife that lives there.
• Take a friend - From rip currents to cold conditions, open water swimming can occasionally be dangerous. You don't want to be alone in an emergency, so bring a friend or join up with a local open swimming organization.

For more on open water swimming safety, check out our expert guide.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Sir Steve Redgrave is urging the British government to take immediate action to address the growing pollution crisis in UK rivers.

In a letter to lawmakers, the Olympic rowing champion stressed the dire need to clean up UK rivers as thousands of young rowers take to the River Thames to compete in the annual School's Head race.

Rivers, lakes, and ponds across the United Kingdom have been hit hard by pollution in recent years and were even described as a ‘chemical cocktail' by lawmakers.

Thanks to run-off from pesticides and fertilizer and the release of untreated sewage, campaigners say many previously popular spots now present a genuine danger to rowers, open water swimmers, and other sportspeople who use them.

Collaborating with environmental charity River Action, Redgrave wants the British government to take firm action against the water companies responsible and give greater power to regulators.

"This situation is completely unacceptable. We need urgent action to stop sewage discharges and protect the health of everyone using our rivers," Sir Steve said.

Each year, water treatment companies dump millions of gallons of untreated sewage into UK waterways when heavy rainfall threatens to overwhelm waste management systems. A limited amount of dumping is legal and deemed necessary, but companies have been accused of repeatedly cross the line.

Despite public uproar and fines in the tens of millions, companies like Thames Water continue to dump sewage in vast quantities. A report from the Guardian claims that it released more than 300,000 hours of raw sewage into UK waters last year.

Sir Steve and Erica Popplewell, River Action’s Head of Communities, have accused Thames Water of 'polluting for profit' and taking insufficient action to clean up its act. They're calling for the government to take greater steps to intervene.

"We need the Government to take decisive action to clean up the UK’s polluted rivers," Popplewell said in a statement.

"Thames Water must be stopped from polluting for profit."

Advnture has approached Thames Water for comment.

Pollution has had a devastating effect on the UK's wild swimming community. Last summer, at least 35 athletes fell ill after swimming in the River Thames during the Royal Windsor Triathlon. There were several other similar incidents throughout 2024.

Thames Water has been in financial trouble for years, with current debts of £19billion ($24.6bn USD). It recently secured a rescue loan of £3billion ($3.8bn USD) but has applied for permission to increase bills for water services by 53% over the next five years,

If you're considering an open water swim or other wild-water sport, check out our expert safety guide to learn when, where, and how you can safely swim in the wild.

• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

Fancy listening to music while you swim? Rather than sitting in your ear canal like regular earbuds, these Shokz waterproof headphones go just outside, using bone conduction technology to transmit sound without eliminating outside noise.

Right now, you can get a hold of the Shokz OpenSwim Pro headphones for $149.99 at REI, almost $30 off their list price of $179.95. The deal runs until March 23.

With them, you can listen to your favorite tunes for up to two hours in depths down to 6.6ft (2m). This Bluetooth pair boasts a reliable IP68 waterproof rating, while the ear-hook design ensures that they'll stay on while you battle against strong currents.

They're also handy out of the water, with nine hours of battery in bluetooth mode and enough storage to keep 8,000 songs at one time.

The OpenSwim Pro headphones are a part of Shokz's open-ear range. Other models include the OpenRun Pro, built for runners, and the OpenMove headphones, which are designed for everyday use and light exercise.

Look below for today's best Shokz OpenSwim Pro headphones deals where you are:

• The best running headphones: tested on the roads and trails
• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer

Usually when we write about wildlife encounters on the trail, we're covering stories of bear attacks or defensive moose, but a group of Washington hikers recently got the surprise of their lives when they came across a giant octopus just off the trail.

"What is this thing doing right here?" asks Micah Moehller,in a video he shared to Reddit, which you can view below.

Moehller reveals he was hiking Clark's Point, a coastal hike in a wooded peninsula in Bellingham when he came across the extraordinary scene of a Giant Pacific octopus swimming in a shallow tide pool.

Different angle of the octopus I saw in bellingham bay! from r/Bellingham

Moehller says there are train tracks nearby that separate the ocean from the pool and he thinks the octopus must have swum through a pipe that runs underneath the tracks to reach this inland area.

According to the Seattle Aquarium, Giant Pacific octopuses can weigh from 40 to 100lb (that's 18 - 45kg) and grow up to 14 feet long. They live in dens and do most of their hunting at night, so a sighting like this is extremely rare and another great example of why it's always worth getting out on a hike – you truly never know what you might see.

If you do come across any amazing creatures on the trail, follow the example of these hikers and stay back, admiring it from afar. Check out our guide to wildlife safety for more tips.

• The best hiking boots: protect your feet on any trail with our top choices
• The best binoculars: for birdwatching and astronomy

Open water swimmers in the UK were greeted with good news today as lawmakers pledged to clean up the nation's largest and most popular lake.

Lake Windermere in England's Lake District spans 5.7 square miles / 14.73km² and hosts thousands of swimmers every year, including 14,000 in the annual Arla Great North Swim, the UK's largest open water swimming race.

Today (Monday, March 10) Environment Secretary Steve Reed announced a hefty investment to divert sewage and limit pollution.

Despite its popularity, the lake has been flooded with pollution in recent years. Last October, a BBC report claimed that upwards of 36 million gallons / 136 million liters of potentially hazardous, untreated sewage was dumped into Windermere between 2021 and 2023.

In 2022, large sections of the lake turned bright green due to algal blooms, a toxic phenomenon that's worsened by the release of nutrient-rich sewage.

Reed told BBC Breakfast: "Windermere is a stunningly beautiful national treasure, but it's being choked by unacceptable levels of sewage pollution."

He confirmed that the government would spend an initial £200 million / $258.7 million to divert sewage away from Windermere as part of a wider £100 billion / $129.4 billion five-year project to clean up British waterways.

"We are working with investors to bring that money in," explained Reed.

Lake Windermere isn't the only British water in jeopardy.

Lakes, rivers, and ponds across the country have been hit hard by pollution due to the widespread use of pesticides and fertilizer, and the release of untreated sewage.

In 2021 alone, 8.4 billion gallons / 32 billion liters of excess sewage was released into the River Thames, which runs through London and much of southern England.

This rampant pollution has devastated the UK's open water swimming community.

Last summer, at least 35 athletes fell ill after swimming in the Thames during the Royal Windsor Triathlon. There were multiple similar incidents throughout 2024.

If you're eying up wild water this spring, make sure to take the proper precautions.

Pollution and unforeseen hazards can often make open water swimming a dangerous pastime. Take a look at our beginner's guide to open water swimming to ensure you're swimming safely.

• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea
• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer

Open water swimmers in Oregon will soon be able to take a dip in picturesque Lake Oswego, after a long-awaited ruling allowing access to the water

The 395-acre lake is surrounded by private properties in Clackamas County and various trespassing and private signs are dotted around it to ward off wild swimmers and other members of the public.

In 2012, local swimmer and kayaker Todd Prager began a long, drawn-out legal battle to win public access to the water.

Last year, advisory rulings from a two-part jury trial finally determined that the City of Lake Oswego had no good reason to stop the public from swimming, kayaking, or accessing the lake for outdoor recreation.

And on Monday, March 3, Judge Kathie Steele ordered the city to remove 'no trespassing' signs and barriers, and to take the necessary steps to provide safe public access.

Prager was delighted with the ruling. He told OregonLive / the Oregonian: "I’m thrilled that the public has finally regained access to this unique and important public resource.

“I hope the public responsibly enjoys their immediate right to access the lake.”

The City of Lake Oswego now has 30 days to remove multiple 'private lake' plaques and a further 120 days to remove a semi-circle of boulders and spiky metallic 'reeds' at a key access point that helped prevent public access to the lake.

The order doesn't apply to all access points but crucially allows wild swimmers and other members of the public to use the lake without trespassing.

The ruling comes at a perfect time for Oregon's open water swimming community, who'll be eying up the scenic water with summer just around the corner.

Swimming in the US has risen in popularity over the past few years. In 2023, a record 31.5 million Americans swam at least once.

If you're eying up wild water this spring, make sure to take the proper precautions.

Pollution and unforeseen hazards can often make open water swimming a dangerous pastime. Take a look at our beginner's guide to open water swimming to ensure you're swimming safely.

• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea
• The best changing robes: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer

A UK documentary, Rave On For The Avon, is highlighting the pollution crisis facing the River Avon in the southwest of England and other rivers across the UK.

The film follows a local community’s fight to save their bathing spot in unique ways and showcases positive, creative campaigns by people who cherish their local rivers and see wild swimming as a way of life.

In 2021, the environmental performance of the UK’s water and sewage companies fell to the lowest level on record.

In a densely residential part of the city of Bristol in the southwest of England, a section of the River Avon attracts swimmers year-round.

Wild swimming is recognized for helping people boost mental health and as being a free outdoor activity for local lower-income families. However, the local council prohibits swimming in the river, and it is often polluted with dangerous levels of raw sewage, chemical pollution and farm run-off.

Locals to Conham River Park formed a group, running a citizen-led water testing program. The group is now applying for Designated Bathing Water Status (DBWS) for the river.

Currently there are only three stretches of river in the UK with this status, all of which have been won through local campaigns.

As part of the campaign, one swimmer, @mrs_meg_avon 'married' the River Avon. As part of her @saveouravon campaign she hoped to give it personhood and therefore greater rights.

Creators hope Rave On For The Avon will inspire swimmers across the UK to take action against polluting companies.

Director Charlotte Sawyer set up a Crowdfunder to take the film to cinemas in the UK, which has now completed.

You can see the full list of screenings available here.

More from Advnture.com

• The best changing robes 2025: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
• The best wild swimming gear: what to wear and what to take
• The best water shoes 2025: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

With the best changing robes you can jettison your wet stuff in privacy and get dry and warm at the same time. Along with the best dry bags and the best water shoes, they will elevate your amphibious adventures, helping keep you and your stuff safe and warm.

The brands making these technical garments are moving them on from their first iterations and we're seeing better fits, warmer fabrics, handier features and improved eco credentials.

With the physical and mental benefits of cold water swimming well-documented, more of us are picking up the pastime, or opting to include an icy plunge as part of a hike or bike. A changing robe is a reasonable investment, but it's likely to become a trusted staple in your day kit. And, as most are hugely durable, you'll get great return on your initial outlay.

At the top end of the price scale, changing robes have a waterproof outer layer, deep-pile fleece lining and a host of pockets to keep kit organised. They dry quickly and repel dirt.

For dippers who want a more minimalist approach, there are lightweight, packable robes that act like wearable towels and are plenty absorbent enough for one or two people.

To create this guide, our experts took the best changing robes into the chilly wilds of the United Kingdom. They plunged into icy lochs, frigid rivers and blustery seas, evaluating the robes' insulating and drying capabilities. They assessed weight, packability and features, and compared it all to the price tag. Read to on discover which fared best.

The quick list

Here's our quick list, an at-a-glance guide to the best changing robes available to buy. For a more detailed look at these top performers, navigate further down the guide.

The best changing robes for 2026

The best 4 season changing robe

If you're after an extra-snuggly robe with a host of great features, there is no beating the Red Equipment EVO Pro.

It's a technical bit of kit that's built to keep you toasty on cold days. The two-layer outer shell that's been treated with a PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent) coating makes a great barrier against driving rain while still offering breathability.

The brushed fleece lining is made from 100% polyester. The deep pile gives extra warmth, and it's able to wick away moisture and and dry fast from your own body heat.

To keep things extra toasty, the fleecy lining extends up into the hood, which gives good protection from the elements thanks to the toggle draw cord. The robe has a high zipped collar with poppered wind baffle, too.

The bulk and weight that the technical features create mean this robe is not the one to pick if you need to walk far to your swim spot. However, a compression sack, which can be bought separately, makes it packable.

There are plenty of pockets, all well thought out. Fleecy side pockets warm your hands, a zipped mesh pocket is handy for valuables, and a patch pocket is designed to tuck your underwear into when you swim. It's also ideal storage for a flask or hot water bottle.

There's a great selection of colors to choose from, including bright and muted shades. The only minor grumble our expert tester Rosee Woodland had was that, with long limbs and wide shoulders, she found the sleeves only just came to her wrists.

Read our full Red Equipment EVO Pro changing robe review

The best budget changing robe

If wild water dips make up just small segments of longer outdoor adventures for you, the Lifeventure lightweight changing robe is the ideal thing to squeeze into your day sack.

It weighs just 1.2lb, and comes with a compression mesh bag to make it extra packable. Like many of the best camping towels, it's made of lightweight, highly absorbent material, meaning you can use it to dry off too. It will dry quickly back at base camp at the end of the day, as long as you remember to hang it out.

It comes in just one size, but will happily cover 6ft tall people. It's a minimalist garment, but still features a hood and large hand pocket for extra weather protection.

The SoftFibre material is, as the name suggests, comfy against your skin, and our tester Julia Clarke reckoned it offered more absorbency than a microfiber towel. All in all, a very worthwhile buy.

Read our full Lifeventure lightweight changing robe review

The best lightweight changing robe

The Finisterre Tego weighs in at under 2lb - lighter than traditional waterproof changing robes. This makes it a viable choice for swim hikes – it packs down reasonably well and is also breathable, meaning you can walk in it if you need to keep it on for a while following a dip.

It's made up of a recycled nylon softshell treated with a fluro carbon-free DWR (durable water repellent) coating. The fleece inner is designed to wick water away from your damp body. However, its fine surface isn't able to do this as thoroughly as others on test here - the trade off is it does dry out quickly.

Insulation is a little lacking too – our tester would have liked to see windproofing improved with a baffle over the front zip. However, the cuffs and hood are adjustable, which will keep some heat in, especially useful around your head and face. The sleeves are also nice and long to keep hands protected.

It's nice and wide to change in, and the light weight of the material gives you extra freedom.

When it comes to features, the original Tego only had two hand pockets on the front, with no storage at all for keys, valuables or a phone. However, a new version recently released, now has a zipped internal pocket, which is great news.

For spring, summer and fall adventures, especially if you will be walking with your kit, the Finisterre Tego is a smart choice. Opt for something more weighty and warm on cold days, or if you're socialising for a long period post-swim.

Read our full Finisterre Tego changing robe review

The best shorter changing robe

With a durable hardshell outer, fleecy lining and well-respected brand label, this short-cut changing robe gives a great first impression. Especially as the price point is lower than competitors.

The more modest price is probably due to the short length of the robe, which makes it less clumsy to walk in while still offering plenty of material to change under. Our tester Rosee Woodland is 5ft 10in tall and the Large size came down to her knee.

She loved that you can order by chest and hip size, rather than by height, which means you can choose whether you want a slightly narrower fit than with other robes.

The fleece lining is chunky, making it exceptionally warm.

The hydrostatic head rating of the hardshell outer is 5,000mm, which isn't the highest, although, in the field it performed well and the thick lining added another layer of water protection.

The weight isn't extremely heavy – it sits in the mid-range of others on test – just don't expect to be able to pack it away easily in your dry bag.

The wide sleeves and double-ended zip made it easy to use. Draw cords or Velcro tabs on the hood and cuffs would have been helpful to keep out the weather better. As would a zip baffle and more space in the zipped chest pocket to comfortably house larger smartphones.

Read our full Alpkit Haven changing robe review

The best custom changing robe

You can spot a Flanci garment a mile off! This brand of activewear is well-loved for its brightly coloured and patterned shorts, leggings and skorts.

The Huggle changing robe has been given the same treatment in the design studio – it's available in more than 50 different patterns and colours. It also comes in six sizes, which you can order in 10cm, 15cm or even 20cm longer lengths. You don't get more customizable in changing robes than that.

The overall shape is standard for a warm changing robe – it is reasonably big and bulky, but the fabrics are slightly stiffer than others on test.

The outer is showerproof, and our tester Fiona Russell, who lives in rainy Scotland, would have liked to see greater waterproofing.

The Huggle does boast some nice features though – the main zip is two-way and smooth running with a storm flap to cover it. The hood is large and fitted.

The pockets are good – one internal waterproof zipped for valuables and an open-top fleece pocket for other items. Our tester would have preferred the outer hand pockets not to have been zipped – the plastic rubbed on her skin causing friction and soreness.

When it comes to care, you can put this robe in the washing machine on a cool setting, perfect for after a muddy camping trip away.

Read our full Flanci Huggle swim robe review

The best changing robe for summer

Wearable towels are brilliant for car camping trips, days at the beach and post watersports chillouts. And they don't come better than this Dryrobe version, our tester and veteran paddleboarder Pat Kinsella reckons.

The brand is based in North Devon on the coast of South West England. The garments are designed by surfers for everyone who enjoys getting wet in the outdoors, whether that's wild swimmers, kayakers or board riders.

This changing robe is made from soft-feel organic cotton and comes in a simple range of block colors. It's wide enough to offer plenty of room to slip off swimsuits and wetsuits while the hood keeps your head warm.

Our reviewer found it was also a great robe for wearing around the campsite – especially back and forth to the showers. Or for changing in when you don't have enough room to do so easily in your tent.

It's comfy enough to hang out in for extended periods with a post-dip coffee or beer. The sleeves are short, giving you plenty of freedom. The only thing our tester yearned for, considering that many people wear these robes for long periods of time, was a pocket or two.

Read our full Dryrobe Organic Cotton Towel Robe review

The best changing robes comparison table

Meet the testers

How to choose a changing robe

As you can see, changing robes can very a lot in price, materials and weight, so which one is best for you? Take a look below at factors you could consider before investing.

How much weather protection do you need?

Are you a fair-weather swimmer or will you be battling the elements year round? For the best protection and warmth in cold-weather conditions, look for a waterproof outer shell, storm flaps that protect zips and pockets, adjustable cuffs and hood and a deep-pile, moisture-wicking lining.

If you like quick dips in summer and shoulder seasons, or want to keep on trekking post-swim, you'll need a lighter, more packable robe, perhaps one without an outer shell.

Consider sizing too. A full-length changing robe with long sleeves will keep you warmer and protected from rain.

A robe with a shorter cut and shorter sleeves allows you to change easier, which is a boon when trying to remove a wetsuit. It also allows you to walk and go about chores (re-packing the car, campsite duties) more easily.

What shape do you like best?

The newer, lighter weight iterations of the waterproof changing robe are closer resemble jackets. This style of robe can double up as an outer layer for general wear – walking the dog, outdoor film and music events. These robes tend to have multiple pockets for storing valuables and larger items, and a two-way front zip.

For warmer days at the beach, you may prefer the simplicity of a poncho-style changing robe.

What size should you choose?

Changing robes are made oversized, allowing you to discreetly remove and put on clothes underneath them, so there's usually no need to consciously size up when ordering. Follow manufacturers' guidance. In our reviews we've commented on the robe length and cut of the sleeves to help inform your buying decision further.

FAQs

What is a changing robe?

A changing robe is an outer garment designed to help you easily change your clothes underneath it. It's fast becoming an essential piece of kit for anyone who loves water-based sports and adventures.

It typically has a layer of soft, warm, absorbent material, and often an outer layer that provides extra weatherproofing.

Are changing robes eco friendly?

Some changing robes have better eco credentials than others. In our reviews we've highlighted where brands have used recycled and organic materials and whether they've created waterproofing using PFC-free coatings.

Durability and the ability to maintain performance without being washed are factors to consider when buying a more planet-friendly changing robe.

Will I need a towel too?

Some of the changing robes we've included in this guide are designed to replace the need for a towel. These are the lightweight versions that are perfect for spring and summer seasons. Other changing robes provide a certain level of absorbency, but in cold weather you will be more comfortable if you towel off first before putting it on.

Finisterre Women's Nieuwland shorty wetsuit: first impressions

The fabric of the wetsuit is soft and feels nice to the touch. It feels much softer than normal wetsuit fabric. I also did a sniff test of the suit because some wetsuits smell a bit strange. The Nieuwland smells perfectly fine.

The suit is easy to put on – perhaps a little too easy. I am usually a UK10 (US 6) and I wonder if the size smaller would have been a neater fit, although it might not have been long enough.

Although the fabric is only 2mm thick, It looks durable enough and I wasn't worried about tearing it with my nails. I have torn other wetsuits because the fabric is too fragile. It’s possible to do up the robust back zip yourself thanks to a long zip pull, although it’s easier if you ask a friend to zip you in.

The suit feels very comfortable, even against bare skin, and not at all constricting. I have long arms and the sleeves are just long enough, meaning they will be fine for the average person. Sometimes with wetsuits, the neckline can be irritating but the Finisterre Nieuwland is comfortable all over. The neck cuff rises up a bit but it’s not uncomfortable.

The suit has shorts-style legs and the length of these are fine. I would personally prefer a slightly longer leg to cover a bit more thigh skin but they surprised me by staying in place when I was in and out of the water. One of the best changing robes would help me retain heat in between dips.

The fit is quite flattering and I expect it would be even more so if I had the smaller size. It's also worth being aware of Finisterre’s wetsuit rental system. It’s possible to rent a suit to try it and then send it back. This costs from £20 in the UK.

Finisterre Women's Nieuwland shorty wetsuit: in the water

The Yulex fabric is 2mm thick. I am used to wild swimming without a wetsuit in the summer months. I sometimes pop on a 1mm wetsuit vest on cooler summer days so a 2mm thick wetsuit in summer would feel quite warming for me.

I am not normally a long-distance open water swimmer, but rather someone who enjoys a dip and a bit of a swim. If I am planning to swim longer distances I would wear a full length wetsuit because I do suffer with the cold in open water. However, I like a shorty wetsuit because they are easier to get on and off compared to a full length wetsuit.

I received the Finisterre Women's Nieuwland shorty wetsuit in winter, so I tested it in particularly cold water conditions. I was surprised by how warming the 2mm Yulex rubber was. I was much more grateful for the long sleeves than I thought I would be. Having covered arms really helps with overall warmth.

Because I was wearing wetsuit gloves and socks, too, the only parts of my body without wetsuit cover were my legs, neck and head. Once the cold water had seeped into the Nieuwland shorty, it quickly warmed and I felt quite comfortable staying in the water.

Of course, everyone has different warm/cold tolerances and it’s worth noting that many people will find 2mm is too thin for swimming for a longer duration in winter cold water. However, if you are looking for suit for summer wear and for quick wild swimming type dips in winter it could be good choice.

Swimming in the suit was no problem at all. The fabric is stretchy and it didn’t inhibit my swimming.

I do wonder why Finisterre has chosen to make the suit in black only. I know many women like black because it is flattering to wear but black in open water seems silly. It would be much better to have a suit with some colored areas or even a fluorescent panel so swimmers can be seen.

A major test of a wetsuit is how easy it is to get off after the swim. No one wants to struggle after getting out of the water when they are cold and wet. I was able to unzip the shorty suit myself and then quickly take it off. The cuff of the arm where I wear a watch was a little more difficult to get off but I simply turned the arms inside out. The wetsuit was the easiest to take off of any I've ever worn. The wetsuit also dripped dry at home quite quickly.

The Finisterre Nieuwland’s eco-credentials seem better than other traditional neoprene wetsuits. Yulex rubber is a plant-based alternative to neoprene and it’s claimed this cuts carbon emissions by 80% compared to traditional neoprene rubber sheets. I have no way of verifying this but it does seem that many wetsuit manufacturers are turning their backs on neoprene for environmental reasons.

The wetsuit is made with AQUAA solvent-free glue that is said to “eliminate Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), without compromising on performance or durability”.

The wetsuit also includes recycled polyester fabric and the product is transported by the brand to their warehouse by land and sea, using less carbon-intensive journeys and avoiding air freight wherever possible.

The wetsuit is not cheap, but also it's not as pricey as some other brands. I'm hoping to get many years of wear from it.

• How to choose a wetsuit
• Alpkit Element wetsuit jacket: an easy-on, easy-off alternative to a full wetsuit for water babies
• How to clean a wetsuit in six easy steps

There was a time when I shunned the suggestion of wild swimming and even the thought of open-water swimming in winter made me shiver and zip up my down jacket. Then I moved to the Scottish Highlands and discovered a beautiful and peaceful loch almost on my doorstep. It would have been rude not to try the increasingly popular activity of outdoor swimming, right?

I started in the summer and carefully (and safely) built up my resilience in cold water over many months until I could happily take a dip – and then a swim. I kept swimming into the autumn and, when winter arrived, I was surprised to find that I was keen to keep on dipping even when there was ice on the water. If you want to do the same it is worth following these wild swimming in Scotland tips from a pro.

Whatever the season, I am always cautious when getting into open water. However, in the coldest months I am even more safety conscious. Suddenly jumping into very cold water can be dangerous, if not fatal, especially if you are not acclimatised to outdoor swimming.

I also adjust my wild swimming gear to suit the weather, conditions and air and water temperatures.

• 6 things I wish I’d known before starting wild swimming
• How to stay safe in open water
• The best wild swimming gear

The benefits of wild swimming

Perhaps you're wondering why I bother swimming when winter comes. Surely it's much too cold to be enjoyable, you might be thinking. But the benefits of open water swimming are numerous, including boosted mental well-being.

In fact, a study published in the British Medical Journal suggests open water swimming may be effective for managing symptoms of depression. I always feel a huge mental lift after a wild swim, even if I am in the water for a very short time.

There are said to be physical advantages, too, and research in the European Journal of Applied Physiology concluded cold water immersion can reduce heart rate and blood pressure and increase the feel-good neurotransmitter, dopamine.

Another article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health showed cold water swimming can improve immune and cardiovascular health, although this is more likely to be limited to people without existing health conditions.

So, you see, there are plenty of reasons for considering the big, bold pursuit of winter wild swimming.

To continue swimming in open water in the winter here are some of my kit considerations.

A water thermometer

I like to know what the water temperature will be before I submerge myself. I use a water thermometer so I can prepare myself for the cold.

A swimming wetsuit

In the summer, I prefer to swim in open water in a swimsuit. My preferred type of wild swimming is a short swim or “dip”. I don’t feel the need for a wetsuit for warmth when the water temperature is higher.

However, in winter, when the water temperature drops closer to zero, I do wear a wetsuit. It might be a shortie style wetsuit with long-sleeves but shorter legs or, for longer swims, I’ll choose to put on a full-length wetsuit. Some swimmer prefer a wetsuit jacket.

Not only is it more pleasant to wear a wetsuit in cold water in winter but it is also a safety measure. While some swimmers can cope with very cold water in only their swimsuit, I find I am unable to maintain my core body temperature for more than a minute or so.

Wetsuit socks and gloves

I wear wetsuit socks all year round but in winter they are essential. Wetsuit socks, which are always part of my wild swimming gear list, are good for keeping feet warmer and also for protecting the soles of the feet from rocks and stones as I enter the water.

When the water gets colder, I also use neoprene gloves. I suffer with Raynaud’s syndrome and that means that I need the insulating layer of wetsuit gloves to be able to swim.

A beanie hat

In winter, I prefer to keep my head above the water when wild swimming. I also like to maintain as much body heat as possible and this means a wetsuit hat, a beanie hat or a bobble hat are important items of kit.

A swimming buddy

I sometimes swim solo in summer when the water and air temperatures are higher. I won’t stray too far from the shore in case I get into difficulty in the water. However, in winter I always swim with at least one other person.

Cold water has a number of dangers, such as the potential for cold water shock and muscle cramps, so it’s a good idea to swim with someone else nearby in case of an emergency.

Swim float

A swim float – or tow float – is another part of my essential wild swimming kit list. Although they are not designed to be buoyancy aids, If you get into difficulty in the water, you can use it to help you float. They are usually brightly coloured, too, so you will be more easily seen in the water if you do get into trouble, or a friend there to 'spot' for you.

Insulated swim robe

In the summer, I might use only a towel for drying myself after an outdoor swim. I may take a lightweight insulated jacket and a pair of gloves – the sort of gloves I wear for running – for warmth after being in the cold water.

In winter, I need a lot more post-swim warmth and so I always wear or pack one of the best changing robes. Getting out of the water and staying warm while you dry yourself can be a challenge when the air temperature is low. An insulated swim robe will make a big difference to your comfort levels. Our editor Rosee Woodland, also a keen wild swimmer, rates the Red EVO Pro changing robe really highly.

Warm clothing

I need a lot more clothing and especially warmer layers after cold water swimming in winter. The aim is to try to keep my core body temperature up with good quality baselayers, mid layers and a down jacket. I also take highly insulated winter gloves, a dry and warm hat and hiking socks and walking boots.

I get changed and dried as quickly as I can and then pile on the layers and add my changing robe on top.

Hot water bottle

I take a filled hot water bottle with my to my favourite wild swimming spot. I have a hot water bottle that I can pop into a large pocket of my swim robe. This is a great winter warmer after cold water swimming,

Hot drink and food

Another update to my wild swimming kit for winter is a hiking flask of hot drink. If I am warm inside, I’ll feel warmer overall.

I am usually hungry after a swim or dip, even if it’s a short one, so I pack a snack, too, which is good for keeping my energy and warmth up.

Larger backpack

With all the extra kit to carry, as well as a flask and food, I need a larger backpack in the winter for wild swimming. I'll usually take a 35l or 40l hiking pack for my winter swimming gear.

Cyber Monday may be over, but there are still great savings to be had for those of you who like a chilly winter dip in the wild. Right now, you can pick up the Revolution 3-in-1 Change Parka for just £194.95 at Red Equipment. That's a massive savings of £105 off this modular hybrid coat that gets a perfect five stars among customers.

This deal applies to both the men's and women's sizing in the limited edition Nixie Blue colorway. The Revolution has a slimline, bulk-free cut but packs the same punch as a weightier dryrobe with a soft inner layer, made from 250gsm 100%-recycled fleece and a windproof silk-feel panel top.

If it's windy or wet out, throw on the high-performance waterproof and breathable outer jacket with Thinsulate quilting and zip the layers together to make a sleek winter coat ready to take on whatever the elements throw at you.

Crafted with recycled fabric and eco-down, the Revolution is a planet-friendly and hard-working piece of kit for wild swimmers and campers.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Red Original changing robes where you are.

Hide your valuables in the concealed chest Napoleon pocket, keep your hands snug in the military-styled two-way pockets, and stash everything you need in a myriad of other pocket options.

Not in the US? Here are today's best deals on Red Original changing robes where you are:

More great Black Friday deals

• The North Face: big reductions available on jackets, hoodies and other essentials
• Camping: keep cozy with great savings on tents, sleeping bags and other gear
• Hiking: the best deals from big-name brands
• Yeti: great deals on drink-ware
• Patagonia: Big savings available on base layers and waterproofs
• Arc'teryx: prices slashed for stylish winter jackets and softshells
• Garmin: Great savings on top notch Garmin sports watches

• The best wild swimming gear: what to wear and what to take

Wild swimmers in the UK could soon be able to safely enjoy some of their favorite swimming spots all year round, as new government plans look to ramp up water testing.

There are currently 550 wild ‘bathing sites’ in the UK, which are annually tested for harmful bacteria during the summer swimming season, between May and September. Classifying the water quality as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’, or ‘poor’, ratings inform swimmers which spots are safe to swim in during the summer.

However, thanks to a sharp rise in the popularity of cold water swimming, government officials are considering testing some sites all year round.

Announced this week, a government consultation will consider whether regulators should be allowed more freedom to determine different swimming seasons for individual sites. Should plans go ahead, regulators could extend the swimming seasons of certain sites to all year round, allowing for testing at any time of the year.

Proposed plans would also see improvements made to the water testing process, introducing multiple testing points so swimmers can get a clearer idea of the water quality.

Described as a ‘chemical cocktail’ by lawmakers, British and Northern Irish waters have been bombarded with pollution in recent years. Thanks to the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizer, and the (often illegal) release of untreated sewage, many previously popular swimming spots are now avoided.

Just last month, a BBC investigation claimed that 36 million gallons of potentially hazardous, untreated sewage were illegally pumped into Lake Windermere from the beginning of 2021 to the end of 2023. In that time, the lake thrice hosted the UK's largest wild swimming event, welcoming upwards of 30,000 people for a dip.

This pollution has been devastating for the UK’s wild swimming community. In June, at least 35 fell ill after swimming through a part of the River Thames which was previously considered to be safe, during the Royal Windsor Triathlon. The ‘Clean Water Alliance’ has even warned that Great Britain’s Olympic success could be in jeopardy, as wild swimmers and other water-based athletes will no longer be able to safely practice.

Despite the growing pollution problem, wild swimming in the UK has exploded in popularity. Research from the Outdoor Swimming Society estimates that upwards of seven million Brits head into rivers, lakes and seas for a swim each year, making it one of the nation’s most popular pastimes.

If you're thinking of braving a winter dip, make sure you’re prepared by reading our editor's article 6 things I wish I'd known before starting wild swimming which includes tips on what to do when you're unsure of the quality of the water you're swimming in.

You can also check out our guide to the very best wild swimming spots in the UK and the US.

• The best wild swimming gear what to wear and what to take
• The best water shoes: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from the shore to the sea

I cross the Kessock Bridge from the Black Isle to the Highlands city of Inverness several times each week, by car, bike and on foot – and looking down on the dark waters of the Beauly Firth I could never have imagined it was possible to swim from the south to the north shore.

I wasn’t even sure I would like to attempt such a feat, given the look of the tides and currents and the thought of the cold sea water.

But when I heard of an event, the Kessock Ferry Swim, which offers swimmers the chance to cross from one shore to the other – and back again – it planted a small seed in my mind.

Three years after that germ of an idea, I found myself standing on the slipway at South Kessock on the city side of the firth, wearing an open water swimming wetsuit, neoprene socks and gloves and looking out at the (thankfully) calm waters.

What is the Kessock Ferry swim?

The  Kessock Ferry Swim is organised by outdoor education charity Àban Outdoor Ltd. The event – crossing an iconic sea straight near Inverness – was revived in 2022 after a break of 50 years.

Before the Kessock Bridge was opened in 1982, the Kessock ferry travelled the stretch of tidal sea water, taking foot and vehicle passengers between South Kessock and North Kessock.

The ferry crossing route gave rise to the idea of a swim for local people and in 1947, the first Kessock Ferry Swim was hosted by the former London Midland Scottish (LMS) Amateur Swimming Club.  The event carried on until 1968 and usually 20 to 30 swimmers, some as young as eight years old, took on the challenge.

Back then, sea swimming and competitions were quite common in the Highlands but they started to die out with the introduction of indoor pools. 

In 2022, Aban decided to relaunch the swim event, albeit with some new precautions in place, as  regulations now require experienced safety support crew for the Kessock Ferry Swim. Participants must also be at least 12 years old and only those aged at least 18 have the option not to wear a wetsuit. Every swimmer must also use a high visibility tow float.

The Kessock Ferry Swim took place on August 31 this year. The date and time varies each year because, for maximum safety, the sea water needs to be at high tide and with enough 'slack water' - water that isn't moving strongly in either tidal direction - for participants to complete the crossing both ways.

This distance is around 1,300 yards / 1,200m total, although this can vary, depending on tidal pull. 

My first Kessock Ferry Swim

It was 11.15am when the first swimmers entered the firth at South Kessock and set off at a fast pace. These participants had opted to be part of a timed swim, while others, like me, were happy simply to complete the distance. 

We all wore tracker tags on our arms for safety and I set my GPS sports watch to record my approximate time.

I was one of the last to make it into the water but I was in no hurry.  I acclimatised with a short spell of breast-stroke and then broke away from a clutch of other swimmers with speedier freestyle. 

I was determined not to get caught up in a race and to keep to a steady pace. Having fractured my rib just a couple of weeks before, I knew I would not be able to push myself hard. 

The water didn’t feel too cold at this stage but I think this was because I was wearing my full wetsuit, gloves and socks. Other swimmers looked to be even more insulated than me, with the addition of neoprene hoods, while I chose a latex swim hat. Other, hardier people, wore only their swimsuits. Swimmers who do this call it 'swimming skins'. 

For the next five to 10 minutes I focused on trying to swim in a straight line towards two large orange buoys on the opposite shore. 

Every so often, I lifted my head above the water’s surface and swapped to breast-stroke to check my direction. Above me to my right loomed the majestic arc of the Kessock Bridge. It shimmered against a bright blue sky in the full sunshine.

In the firth, in front of me, behind and to my right and left, more than 200 swimmers were spread out with numerous brightly coloured tow floats bobbing merrily on the water's surface. Some people had their heads down, swimming freestyle and seemingly in pursuit of speed, while others set a more leisurely pace whether freestyle, breast-stoke or even back-stroke.

The was a sense – at least from where I was swimming – that this was a relaxed and inclusive event. The faster participants were now well ahead, but there were still many swimmers around and behind me.

Many people were doing a mix of freestyle and breast-stroke and I heard friends chatting as they swam.

Swim to the first shore

I tried to swim a fairly consistent pace, mostly doing freestyle and then switching for shorter periods to breast-stroke so I could check if I was swimming in the right direction.

Every time I checked, the marker buoys still seemed so far away. But, instead of worrying, I slipped back into my own world of peaceful freestyle, trying to make sure my technique was as streamlined as possible and thinking of how fortunate I am to live so close to this fantastic outdoor setting.

Despite my reservations, the sea didn't feel scary and the swim was not as daunting as I imagined it would be.

As I finally closed in on North Kessock, I could hear spectators on the shore cheering us . It still seemed like I had a long way to go to swim around the first buoy, then east for a short while to the second buoy before starting the second half of the swim back across the Beauly Firth.

By this point I was feeing quite tired and I could feel the cold seeping into my hands. I suffer with Raynaud’s Syndrome and my hands are usually my weakest point. I heard later that the water was estimated to be between only 52°F / 11°C and 61°F / 16°C. Again, I was thankful I had chosen to wear full neoprene.

Return swim to South Kessock

Although the timing of the Kessock Ferry Swim is carefully chosen so that the tide is high and at its slackest (l with ess pull), there is still a natural movement of water and the longer swimmers took, the more the tidal force they faced.

I quickly realised that I was being pulled by a bit of a current and this meant I needed to pay more attention to my direction. It was a strange sensation because every time I thought I was back on track, I found myself drifting again.

A couple of times the safety kayakers indicated to me that I needed to swim further to my left. This part of the swim seemed to last a very long time and it took a lot more effort to maintain the right course.

It was great to finally hear the cheers of encouragement from spectators again, this time on the southern shore.

At last I could see the bottom of the firth below me, a mix of sand and stones, and I was able to stand up. I felt a little wobbly, although I know I would have been very dizzy if I had not been wearing my swimming ear-plugs. 

It was wonderful to be greeted by two friends, Vicky and Thorfinn, who had finished their swim ahead of me. As I drifted off to find my shoes and specs, they waited for Thorfinn’s wife Susanna and several of her friends.

Once Susanna had come out of the water, the four of us returned to the registration area at the Sea Cadets base nearby. Retrieving our bags of dry clothes, stowed earlier in secure units, we quickly changed and then enjoyed a range of free food and drinks, including local Black Isle Brewery beers, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

We sat in the warm sunshine, chatting to friends and soaking up an up-beat community atmosphere.

Checking my sports watch later it turned out I had swum 1,750 yards / 1,600m, well over the given distance, presumably because of the tidal flow. My line on Strava showed where I had struggled to follow a direct line back to the shore at the end. 

Now when I cross the bridge and look down at the sea strait, I feel a huge sense of pride rather than fear. I still wouldn't recommend that anyone swims the sea crossing without a lot of experience and safety measures. But I would recommend people sign up to next year's Kessock Ferry Swim event, although entries for next year aren't open yet, so you'll need to be patient...

The medal hopes of future British Olympians could be mere pipe dreams, thanks to the state of the nation’s rivers, say pollution campaigners.  

The Clean Water Alliance warned this week that UK Olympic success in water sports like open water swimming and kayaking will plummet without drastic action to ensure the safety and cleanliness of UK waters. 

Water sports were responsible for 47% of Team GBs medals at Paris 2024, which was marred by its own water-pollution controversies. 

Only 36% of UK rivers and lakes are classified as being in a good or high quality state according to the Institution of Environmental Sciences, while just 14% of rivers are deemed to be in a good ecological status.

The Alliance, which is formed of various water sports bodies, says, should the state of British waters continue to decline, the many athletes who rely on UK waters will be unable to train and compete. 

"The Olympics and Paralympics again underlined how successful we are as a nation in water-based sports", said Andy Salmon, Swim England CEO. 

"The alarming health of our waterways is a genuine threat to future generations enjoying similar success."

Described as a ‘chemical cocktail’ in a report by lawmakers, British and Northern Irish waters fall victim to pollution from a number of sources. Some 40% stems from the excessive use of fertilizer and pesticides, while the release of untreated sewage makes up for 35% - in 2021 alone, Thames Water pumped 8.4 billion gallons (32 billion liters) of excess sewage into the Thames.

Athletes and amateurs alike have been feeling the effects. In March, several rowers in the historic Oxford-Cambridge boat race fell ill after high levels of E.Coli were detected in the Thames, while at least 35 competitors experienced sickness after swimming in the Berkshire stretch of the river as part of the Royal Windsor Triathlon in June.

Aiming to maintain Olympic glory, the Alliance is calling on the government with three key demands: the adequate funding of regulators to monitor and investigate pollution, public access to accurate, up to date information regarding water quality, and a change from 'bathing waters' to 'recreational waters' in government policy to recognise the wide range of activities dependent on clean water. 

The Alliance's warning comes after a frustrating few months for campaigners. In June, waterways applications for the creation of new 'bathing sites' were delayed until Spring 2025. These sites, found throughout the UK, would be regularly tested and managed to ensure safety for swimmers. 

"It is pushing this issue away into the future", waterways charity Thames 21's Stephen Haywood told the Guardian.

• How to stay safe in open water wild swimming for beginners
• 6 things I wish I'd known before starting wild swimming

Concerns over the water quality of the River Seine continue, as the athlete's familiarization training sessions for the 10k open swim events were cancelled on Tuesday. The women's race is scheduled to take place on Thursday, with the men's event on Friday.

Water quality assessments on the river revealed that the levels of Enterococci were above the maximum threshold set by the World Aquatics body. Enterococci is an indicator of faecal pollution.

The state of the Seine has been a blot on the Paris Olympics. Concerns were raised after Belgium withdrew its team from the mixed relay triathlon due to one of its competitors, Claire Michel, falling ill. She'd early swam in the river in the female triathlon event, finishing 38th. This state of affairs wasn't a total shock; in the lead up to the three triathlon events, several training sessions also had to be cancelled.

This is all despite Paris spending 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) on improvements to the river's infrastructure in an attempt to clean it up before the games.

Having assessed the quality of the Seine's water, the World Aquatics body released a statement saying that: "Enterococci levels exceeded World Aquatics maximum thresholds during the morning review. The latest Enterococci samples (taken between 12:30 and 13:20 on 4 August) showed levels exceeding the maximum acceptable World Aquatics thresholds.”

However, the statement went on to say that: "With a favourable weather forecast and forward-looking analysis, World Aquatics and Paris 2024 remain confident that the Marathon Swimming competitions on 8 and 9 August will proceed as planned.”

Anne Descamps, Paris 2024 executive director of communications, was keen to play down the situation, stating that the decision to cancel the training session was “taken with an abundance of caution”.

The latest water quality assessment took place on Sunday 4 August, before Monday's mixed triathlon event, which went ahead. Descamps quelled concerns by saying that the high readings were taken in a separate part of the river to where the triathlon swim took place.

It remains to be seen whether the Marathon Swimming competitions will go ahead on Thursday and Friday, though Olympics organizers will be hoping for no further setbacks.

While the glory at the modern Olympics tends to be focused on athletes and gymnasts, the triathlon and marathon swim have hit the headlines this year thanks to the million dollar question; is the Seine clean enough to swim in?

And when we say million dollar, that's not even close. The city of Paris, determined to host the open water swim Olympic events in the iconic river, has poured $1.5billion (€1.4billion) into cleaning it up. 

But that wasn't enough to prevent the delay of the triathlon, after a globally-televised downpour turned the opening ceremony into something of a wash out. Rain is the biggest problem for the authorities trying to keep the Seine safe to swim in, as the surge pushes waste water - a mix of rain and untreated sewage -  into the river. 

Only two weeks earlier Paris mayor Anne Hildago had swum in the Seine to publicise that it was finally safe, after huge tanks designed to hold waste water until it can be treated were built. But when two weeks worth of rain fell on Paris on the Games' opening night, levels of e.coli in the river rose again to unsafe levels, causing the start of the triathlon to be delayed by a day.

If more rain arrives and the Seine is once again declared unsafe, the open water swim marathon will be held in a lake at the Olympics' watersports arena at Vaires-sure-Marne.

What are the Olympic open water swim marathon rules?

All eyes are on the forecast before the open water swim marathon, which is due to take place on August 8 and 9. And we've got you covered if you want to know how to watch the Olympics marathon swimming live streams.

But what are the rules of the Olympic open water swim marathon? And if seeing athletes braving the fluctuating pollution in the Seine has somehow still inspired you, how can you get started with open water swimming?

The open water swim marathon distance is 6.21 miles / 10km, and is defined as a marathon because it takes about two hours for elite swimmers to complete it - the same time top runners finish a 26.2 mile / 42.2km race.

Unlike Olympic pool swimmers, marathon swimmers are allowed to wear full-length suits - sort of. When the water is 68°F / 20°C or below suits covering shoulder to ankle are allowed, and when the water temperature is 60.62°F / 15.9°C and under they become mandatory for safety reasons. When the temperature allows, swimmers will usually opt to wear a long suit for added compression, which improves streamlining, but without sleeves, to give maximum shoulder mobility.

But how cold is the Seine? During August the water temperature averages 70.16°F / 21.2°C, so ankle-length suits won't be allowed if they stay around this level. If that happens female swimmers are allowed to wear shoulder to knee length suits, while men may only wear waist to knee length suits, known as jammers.

Swimmers are allowed to eat and drink during the event, which in practice means them grabbing bottles of sports drinks from long poles held out by their coaches.

The winner is the first to touch a pad at the finish line, likely to be about two hours after the dive start from a pontoon just beneath the famous Pont Alexandre III.

How to get started with open water swimming

While there's been an explosion of interest in wild swimming in recent years, open water events are a pretty different experience.

But before you sign up for your first event, here are some tips for getting started:

1. Find somewhere to practice

If you've been into alfresco dips for a while then you may already know how to find the best wild swimming spots. 

But, while a shallow river may be a lovely place to cool off, it's not necessarily the best training ground. There may be currents to contend with, and more importantly, it may not be safe to put your face in the water if the pollution levels are high.

Ideally you want a triathlon centre or dedicated swim lake, so that you know the water will be clean and clear. Make sure they offer lifeguarding and check the rules. Some sites will require you to be a member, and may have specific rules around the use of wetsuits in certain temperatures. They may also require you to use a swim tow float.

2. Get kitted up

You probably already own a swimsuit, but it's worth investing in a sport specific one, which will give you better support, and freedom of movement. 

Unless you're lucky enough to be swimming in warm conditions, and by this we mean anything above a water temperature of 68°F / 20°C, then it's worth forking out for a swim wetsuit too. This will be smoother than one designed for surfing, and should have plenty of mobility in the shoulder - look for diagonal (raglan) joins between the sleeves and shoulder. The manufacturer should state the thickness of the neoprene in different areas of the wetsuit, so make sure that the neoprene in the arm/shoulder area is thinner. 

As well as this, you'll need a swim hat, goggles, and possibly some training aids, including fins, pull buoy and hand paddles. It's worth also buying one of the best dry bags, as you'll be hauling around wet gear a lot.

If you're swimming anywhere that may not be safe underfoot then a pair of water shoes or socks is one of the best purchases you can make.

3. Pick your event carefully

While the distances in open water swimming events seem short, unless you're a veteran club swimmer, you'll be surprised how quickly you get tired. The standard Olympic triathlon distance of 0.93 miles / 1.5km is a good starting point, and is equivalent to 60 lengths of a 25 meter pool.

Marathon events like the famous Dart 10k are best kept for when you've got a few shorter open water swims under your belt. Remember, that's the same as swimming a whopping 400 lengths! Just because you can polish off 10km on a trail run, don't assume you should go for the same length in the water.

4. Find a good coach

While you can get pretty far with the help of some basic swim tuition videos, doing an open water event isn't just a case of slogging out the miles week after week until you're comfortable with the distance. 

A coach can make a huge difference, both in terms of correcting any imbalances in your freestyle stroke (a common cause of injury), and in pushing you harder with drills and a training plan.

The best way to find one is to ask at your local open water site (yes, we really meant it when we said you needed one). While your nearest sports centre will have swim teachers and probably coaches too, open water swimming is a specific discipline that requires knowledge of techniques like sighting so it's worth going to a specialist. Even a couple of sessions can make a huge difference.

5. Pace yourself

Like any other athlete, open water swimmers are prone to injury. Yes, swimming is typically billed as less hard on the body than other sports, and it's true that the buoyancy the water provides has nowhere near the impact of disciplines like climbing and trail running.

However, swimmers rely a lot on the their shoulders - the most complex and flexible joint in the body. This is often where swimmers pick up injuries and if you do hurt your shoulder badly it could mean months of physio to get your strength back.

So build in rest days, listen to twinges before they grow into real pain, and build in some dryland exercises (as swimmers call workouts outside the pool), including weight training.

Ready to take the next step? Find out 7 things I wish I knew before my open water event and how to stay safe in open water.

Olympic open water swimming schedule

There are no heats for the Olympic open water swim marathon. All the competitors qualified some months ago, so now they can pour their concentration into just one, admittedly gruelling, race.

The women's event takes place at 6.30am on Wednesday August 8, with the race at the same time the following day on Thursday August 9.

• How to stay safe in open water: wild swimming for beginners
• The best dry bags 2026: keep your gear bone dry during adventures on land and water
• The best wild swimming gear: what to wear and what to take

Want to know how to watch men's Olympics marathon swimming live streams at Paris 2024? This guide has got you sorted, wherever you are in the world right now. There are free viewing options in Australia, Canada and the UK, and we also explain how you can use a VPN to watch your usual coverage if you're away from home when the open water events get underway.

The women's race was won by the Netherlands' Sharon van Rouwendaal, regaining a title she won at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Australia's Moesha Johnson won silver, while Italy's Ginevra Taddeucci grabbed silver. Now it's the turn of the men to dive into the Seine to swim a 10km course, which follows a 1.6km loop between the Ponte Alexandre III and the Pont de l'Alma. Read on how to watch men's Olympic marathon swimming live streams, the final swimming event of the Games.

If you're inspired by the Olympic open water swimming events, here's how to get started. And you can also check out our guides to staying safe in open water, choosing a wetsuit, and 7 things we wish we'd known before our first open water swim event.

Watch free men's Olympics marathon swimming live streams in Australia

When it comes to watching the Olympics, Aussies have it better than pretty much everyone. That's because Down Under, Channel 9 and its 9Now streaming service host the most comprehensive free-to-air Paris 2024 coverage anywhere in the world. That means that almost every session from the Games is available live via Channel 9's various platforms.

Your viewing options aren't limited, either, because subscription service Stan is also covering Paris 2024 ad-free, live and in 4K resolution. You can add Stan Sport to your Stan subscription for $15 per month. (Stan is also home to numerous other sports, including Champions League football and rugby union.)

Don't worry if you're adventuring overseas during the Olympics. Fans of open water races can watch a men's Olympics marathon swimming live stream as they would back home. All you need is a quality VPN, such as NordVPN, to watch your usual free stream when overseas. Find out more below.

Use a VPN to watch men's Olympics marathon swimming from anywhere

If you’re traveling abroad during the Olympics, geo-blocking restrictions mean you probably won't be able to watch your usual TV service as you would in your front room.

That doesn't mean you have to miss out on the Olympics open water swimming, however. All you need to do to watch as if you were back home is get yourself a VPN (Virtual Private Network) – assuming it complies with your broadcaster’s T&Cs, of course.  A VPN creates a private connection between your device and the internet, meaning the service can’t work out where you are. As an added bonus, the info going back and forth is also entirely encrypted.

In a competitive field, the knowledgeable people at TechRadar put NordVPN at the top of the podium. 

How to watch men's Olympics marathon swimming for free in Canada

There's loads of free Olympics coverage available on CBC and the CBC Gem streaming service. And if you have an issue with watching commercials, you can ditch the adds by paying $5.99 per month for CBC's Premium service. (You can take advantage of a seven-day free trial before you buy.)

Subscription services Sportsnet and TSN are also showing Olympics coverage.

How to watch men's Olympics marathon swimming live streams in the US

NBCUniversal has a massive Olympics offering for US viewers, with coverage spread across broadcast and cable channels (including NBC, CNBC, the USA Network and the Golf Channel), and the Peacock streaming service.

A Peacock Premium subscription costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. If you want to go ad-free, Peacock Premium Plus will cost you $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year. 

You'll be able to watch Olympics marathon swimming live streams on Peacock and the USA Network.

Don't have cable? It doesn't have to be a problem. Sling is a smart TV service that allows viewers based in the US to watch cable channels on their TV, laptop or tablet without actually having to subscribe to an annual cable TV package. USA Network is available on Sling with the Sling Blue package, which costs $40 per month ($20 for the first month).

How to watch men's Olympics 2024 marathon swimming live streams in the UK

The BBC has long been synonymous with the Olympics, and the UK's national broadcaster is delivering loads of free-to-air Olympics action throughout the duration of the Games. Terrestrial channels, the Red Button and the BBC iPlayer streaming service will all be part of the Beeb's offering, but remember that you will need a valid TV Licence to tune in.

But you won't be able to watch every moment of the games in the company of the BBC, as the broadcaster only has rights to air two live streams at any time. In other words, if the BBC overlords aren't pointing their cameras at the Seine then you'll have to look elsewhere.

If you want to guarantee you get to watch an Olympics 2024 marathon swimming live stream, the most comprehensive service is provided by subscription services Eurosport and Discovery Plus. They're offering a whopping 3,800 hours of live coverage across 55 streams.

A Discovery Plus Standard plan would usually set you back £6.99 a month but if you subscribe before August 11, the fee is reduced to £3.99 a month – and new subscribers will be able to take advantage of that discounted rate until the end of 2024.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

The Summer Olympics is a celebration of extraordinary athleticism, agility and ability, where prodigious natural talent and years of exceptional commitment and dedication are decanted into a few weeks of frenetic action, as the planet’s elite meet and compete in front of an audience of billions. In a fractious and often divided world, the fact the Games happen at all is, perhaps, one of our species’ greatest ongoing achievements, but the capacity for this festival of sport to entertain and inspire is incredible – not least because it can introduce us to sports we didn’t even realise existed.   

The Games last took place in Paris exactly a century ago, and now the French capital is set to become the first city to host the modern Olympics three times. The first time around, in 1900, it saw some spectacularly strange sports. Back then audiences enjoyed watching competitors doing the long jump – nothing weird about that you might think, but this version of the long jump was done on a horse. And then there was the high jump (yes, also on a horse). And live pigeon shooting (a bloody affair, during which over 300 birds were killed). And poodle clipping – admittedly, this last one was more of an exhibition event, but it was still highly competitive, and saw 128 participants speed-clipping curly haired canines in front of a 6,000-stong crowd in Bois De Boulogne park. True story.

These days the high-profile track-and-field events get most of the limelight, but the modern Games has always featured some brilliantly bizarre pursuits since its inception in 1896, along with some excellent outdoor and endurance-orientated activities that we regularly cover here at advnture, including marathon running, sport climbing, openwater swimming and kayaking. We live in hope that more adventure sports will join the Summer Olympic programme in future, including trail running (surely a shoo-in/shoe-in at some point), SwimRun and Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP), but in the meantime, we’re thoroughly looking forward to watching the following events.  

Modern Pentathlon

At the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, ‘pistol duelling’ was included as an event (although, thankfully, contestants fired their duelling pistols at mannequins, not each other, so no people – or pigeons – had to die). During the same Games, the amazing multisport of Modern Pentathlon was introduced to the Olympics and – somewhat incredibly – it is still part of the line-up. During this event, which is open to men and women, competitors take part in five ostensibly random activities: fencing, swimming, showjumping (yes, on a horse) and then a combined stage involving running and laser-pistol shooting. What binds these pursuits together? They were traditionally considered vital skills for a good calvaryman, of course.

Race Walking

Although it’s an activity very close to our heart here at advnture – where we spend a lot of time trail testing the very best walking shoes, tops and shorts – we don’t generally think of walking as a competitive pursuit. Try telling that to the ambling athletes taking part in Race Walking events at the Games in Paris…if you can catch them. Speed walking was actually a wildly popular spectator sport in Victorian times, when it was – excitingly – known as ‘pedestrianism’, and it was first introduced to the Olympic line-up in London in 1908 (for men only, over 3,500m and 10-mile distances). Since then, the sport has featured intermittently at the Games. In Paris this year, men and women will compete over a 20km course, and there’s also a 50km event for men only (no, we don’t know why either).

The rules are very strict: at no time can both feet be off the ground at once (that’s running!), the knee of the athlete’s advanced leg must not bend and the leg must straighten as their body passes over it - which makes it really hard, and results in a very sassy gait. Infringements of these rules result in a paddle being shown to the walker, and if they receive three such warnings they are disqualified. Expert race walkers hit the ground with light impact and wear shoes with less cushioning than most running shoes. While walking sunglasses are de rigueur, trekking poles are a definite no-no…

Kayak Cross

We love our paddlesports here, and like nothing better than getting a pair of good water shoes on and hitting the wet stuff on a board or in a boat, but the kayak cross event, newly added to the summer Olympics in Paris this year, takes the concept of a leisurely paddle and transforms it into an adrenaline-laced demolition derby. Four kayakers begin each leg – and not from the water, as you might expect, but from a raised platform with a ramp, from which they simultaneously slide and plunge into the juice once the starting gun is fired. Once on the water, which is fast running and cascades across multiple raging rapids, they must negotiate several gates (going past some, to skilfully loop back around and through them), during which manoeuvres competing paddlers very often end up crashing into each other, with their boats breaching rivals’ decks. Towards the end, each participant must complete a full roll. First one over the line wins. It’s explosively exciting, and should make for one of the best sports to watch this year.        

Artistic swimming

Once known as synchronised swimming, this hypnotically graceful sport has traditionally been contested only by women, and competitors are seemingly judged on their appearance as well as their performance, with great importance placed on hair and even make-up staying in place during complex underwater routines. For the first time in the history of the modern games, a decision was made to allow men to compete in the 2024 event in Paris (in the team routine)… but not a single one made the cut – all 96 athletes picked by 18 countries taking part in Paris are women.

A deceptively demanding sport, which see pairs and groups of eight and 10 swimmers perform intricately choreographed routines without touching the floor of the pool, competitors need to be able to hold their breath for well over a minute while combining skills associated with swimming, gymnastics, dance and free diving. Although staying in lockstep with one another throughout the routine is considered a crucial part of the performance, an oxymoronic-sounding event called ‘solo synchronised swimming’ featured in the Summer Olympics in 1984, 1988, and 1992.

Breaking

In a first for the Olympics, competitive breakdancing will feature as a sport at the Paris 2024 Games. There are competitions for men and women – sorry, B-Boys and B-Girls, as they’re called here (honestly) – with members from 16-member teams facing off against each other during intense solo battles. Competitors will bust out a combination of power moves, ranging from windmills to freezes, to the beat of hip-hop tracks being played by DJs, as they attempt to impress the judges with their skill and creativity.

BMX Freestyle

The cycling events at the Games have gone well beyond the road in recent years. Mountain Biking was introduced to the Olympic schedule at the Atlanta Games in 1996, and has been thrilling viewers ever since, and BMX Racing debuted at the 2008 Beijing Games. In Tokyo 2020 (which actually happened in 2021), however, BMX Freestyle was brought in as the first bike-based Olympic event to be scored and judged not on crossing the line first, but by pulling off the most audacious stunts. Back again for Paris 2024, the event sees competitors trying to pull-off as may tricks as they can in 60 seconds, without – ideally – landing on their heads. Riders are awarded points for the height of their jumps and the levels of difficulty and creativity displayed in their routines. It’s absolutely brilliant to watch. 

Skateboarding

After first appearing in the Tokyo Games in 2021, skateboarding is back on the agenda in Paris this year. A sensational spectator sport, boardriders take part in two disciplines: park and street. The Park event takes place on a compact course featuring bowls and berms, and athletes are awarded points for pulling-off big-air tricks – the more spectacular and technical the better; each athlete gets to do three 45‑second runs, with the best of the three counting towards their final score. The Street event is more linear, with riders hurtling along a recreated urban streetscape doing tricks using stairs, kerbs and handrails – the only thing missing is an irate security guard chasing them around (which – note to organisers – would make an excellent addition). Skaters do two 45‑second runs along this course, and are judged on the best five tricks they pull off and how they handle their board en route. The youngest athlete at the Paris games is Chinese park skateboarder Zheng Haohao, who is…11 years old. Mind you, Andy Macdonald is also competing for Britain, at the tender age of 50.

Surfing

While the Games are being held in the capital of France this year, one event – the surfing – will be staged over 10,000 miles away in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, part of the French overseas territory of Polynesia in the southern Pacific. People, including the Hawaiian board-riding legend Duke Kahanamoku, had been campaigning for surfing to be added to the Olympic programme since the 1920s, but it was finally included in the Tokyo 2020 Games. It’s back for 2024, albeit a long way from Paris. During the heats, surfers on shortboards perform manoeuvres on a wave, and receive points from judges based on the variety and technical difficulty of their tricks, and the speed, power and flow they display. It’s wonderful to watch.

Marathon Swimming

One of our absolute favourite events at the Games, marathon swimming is an openwater event that sees competitors take on a 10km-long course along the newly cleaned up River Seine in the middle of Paris. This massively demanding sport was first seen in the modern Olympics at the Beijing Games in 2008, but back in 1900, in those sensational games in Paris, there was a very entertaining-sounding Swimming Obstacle Race, which saw athletes take on a 200-metre course during which they had to climb over a row of boats, scale a pole and then swim underwater beneath another row of boats. Four years later, at the 1904 games in St Louis, there was an event based on how far competitors could travel underwater after diving in from the side (strong Saturday-at-the-pool-with-the-kids vibe here).

If you love wild swimming, chances are you've thought about entering an open water event. Maybe you've already signed up for one and are well into your training and feeling confident in your abilities. 

Training on its own will only get you so far though. There are some useful things to know that only come from experience. So read on and get ahead of the pack, with some extra help from an open water veteran...

1.  Don’t get rubbed up the wrong way 

Unless you’re incredibly lucky, if you swim any kind of distance in a wetsuit, no matter how well fitted it is, it will rub. I learned this the hard way the first time I did the Bantham Swoosh, which is a 6km swim along a brackish river. The combination of the salty water and more than 4 miles of repeated movements took several layers of skin off the back of my neck that took weeks to heal. 

In the water you won’t necessarily feel your wetsuit or swimsuit rubbing. The cold water reduces the sensitivity of your skin and so you won’t know about the damage until it’s too late. Now when I swim events I apply a very thick layer of Body Glide around the neck, crotch and armpits before I zip my wetsuit up. Once it’s on, I add more around the neck just to be safe. 

If you find your wetsuit zip is part of the chafing problem, consider wearing a neoprene vest under your wetsuit. It’ll add warmth to your core, and protect your neck even more.

 2.  Don't let the start put you off

If you’ve been training in a lake or a river, chances are it won’t have been that busy. And even if it was, at open water training spaces swimmers generally try to give each other room . If someone wants to pass you you’ll hopefully get a friendly tap on the foot to let you know. 

An open water swim start couldn’t be more different. Whether you’re facing the swim section of a competitive triathlon, or just a fun event, the experience is usually the same - every man for himself! Don’t take it personally if you get swum over, or take an elbow to the side of the head. It happens, and the most important thing is to recover and not let it put you off your stroke. 

If you’re swimming an event you would usually swim freestyle (aka crawl), but if it all feels too much, remember that you don’t have to keep your face in the whole time. Switch to breaststroke or pause for a minute and let people pass you until the water is calmer. Taking time out may prompt concern from any safety crew - usually kayakers monitor swim event safety on the water itself - so be prepared to reassure them that you’re OK.

 3.  The more cold water tolerance you have, the better 

If you’re serious about learning how to stay safe in open water then you’ll know that one of the best things you can do when you get in cold water is to give yourself a few minutes to get used to it. For my first ever open water event eight years ago we had the chance to swim briefly in a cordoned off area before the swim start proper. 

That was very much a one-off though, and ever since then for each event I’ve done it’s very much been a case of wading in and starting swimming. This makes it doubly important to work on cold water acclimatization in the months leading up to the swim, as the water is likely to be colder then. If you can handle swimming in water that’s 15°C / 59°F then getting in and swimming straight away at an event that’s got 19°C / 66°F water should feel much more bearable. 

4.  Think twice about drafting 

 In swimming, just like cycling, drafting behind someone just ahead of you can actually speed you up. It’s a bit of a fine art, and definitely worth practicing in a pool with a friend who doesn’t mind having you (literally) on your heels. However, swimming with the main pack can feel like being caught in a washing machine’s spin cycle and make it difficult to do this properly. 

The sheer number of rotating arms and kicking legs can really churn up the water, making it hard to see where you’re going. Learning how to sight in open water can help minimise this issue (spoiler; you really don’t need to lift your whole head out), but sometimes it’s better to steer clear of the pack altogether. If you can draft a couple of swimmers, great, but if you’re finding it all a bit too stressful, hang back for a second or two so that you’re not stuck in the melee. 

5. The shortest route isn't always the best

Whether you’re swimming a river or lake event, it may seem like the most obvious thing to do is swim the shortest distance possible, hugging any buoys and following the tightest bends in the river. However, there’s something else to consider - currents. The fastest route along a meandering river isn’t the shortest, it’s the deepest. And you’ll find this point on the outer part of bends, not the inner, as this is where the riverbed will be most eroded and the water is moving the fastest.

So, to swim down a snaking river and stay in this path (known, curiously, as the thalweg), you’ll need to remember to keep aiming for the outer part of any bends. This requires a certain level of confidence with sighting, and remembering to check behind you when moving from one bank to the other as the river twists and turns, so that you don’t accidentally swim across someone’s path. 

If switching from one side to the other on each turn feels like too much, then aim roughly for the center path and stay away from the banks. You won’t be as fast, but it’s a simpler approach for beginners.

5.  A watch is essential 

 Any kind of major event these days will provide swimmers with a timing chip, usually worn around the ankle. It’s a way to track your performance and compare your finish time with others taking part. But timing chips can get lost, and then you have no way of knowing how you fared on the day. 

Wearing a watch isn’t just about tracking your overall speed though. It’s also important to help you pace yourself, and time any feeds you want to make (see below). The best GPS watches will also be able to show you your exact route on the day, giving you a starting point for improving next time as you invariably stray off course at certain points. 

6.  You'll need food and hydration for longer events 

The first time I trained in a pool with my partner he looked at the large water bottle I placed on the side next to my tow float and said,“Why do you need THAT?!” 

Most people don’t realise that swimmers sweat while training. If you’re getting breathless and tired swimming then you will have been sweating, even if you can’t feel it. There are some extra factors here. You will sweat less in cold water than in warm, and you’ll almost certainly sweat less overall than someone running the same distance. But sweat you will and you need to replace that lost liquid somehow. If you’re swimming longer than about an hour you will also run out of easily accessible glycogen in your muscles, leading to the dreaded ‘bonk’, where you suddenly feel like you’ve lost all your energy.

Some longer events will have feed stations, offering water, energy drinks and jelly babies. But many do not. If that’s the case, energy gels are probably your best bet, both for hydration and quick release carbs. They can be stuffed down the front or cuff of a wetsuit - just make sure you dispose of the wrappers properly at the end of the event. And don’t wait until you’re hitting the wall before having your first one. A gel every 35 to 45 minutes, depending on how hard you’re working, should see you right.

 7. You’ll forget how hard it is pretty quickly 

The first time I swam the Dart 10k I stepped into the chilly water and immediately questioned my life choices. I had swum other long distance events already that season and knew that, in theory anyway, I was ready. But knowing you can swim six miles and actually doing it in very cold water are two different things. Still, with my partner and son watching from the bank and cheering me on, I couldn’t exactly turn back. 

Fast forward two hours, and I arrived at the final feed station, with 8km behind me. A swimmer next to me was shivering hard from the cold and saying she couldn’t go on. I had felt mostly ok until that point, but the encounter shook my confidence and I questioned whether I could make it either. I took a deep breath, let go of the raft and let the current carry me. 

As I swam round the final bend (notably NOT following the thalweg because I didn’t know any better) I asked one of the kayakers how far the finish point was. "A couple of hundred meters", he casually lied. And so began what felt like an endless slog to the end, more like 500 meters / 546 yds away. I was utterly exhausted and the harbor dock I was aiming for seemed to come no further. After what seemed like an eternity, I dragged myself up the muddy shore and said a silent prayer to the river gods. Somehow I’d made it. I would never do something so stupid again. Why would I put my through it?

Yes, you guessed it. I signed up for another event about a month later!

• How to stay safe in open water: wild swimming for beginners
• The best wild swimming spots: find the perfect place to take the plunge near you
• The best wild swimming gear: what to wear and what to take

Having become a social media sensation by travelling the world on a unicycle from 2015 to 2018, adventurer Ed Pratt has set himself a new challenge that he believes has never been attempted before: traveling the length of the UK’s longest river, the Thames, from source to sea, entirely in on or the water.

By which he means wading, swimming and kayaking the whole way. That doesn’t mean he never gets out of the river – he clambers onto land to sleep and eat – but if he’s moving forward towards the sea, he has to be in or on the water.

This challenge won’t take him quite as long as his previous global trek. That covered 22,000 miles (35500km) in 1,200 days, whereas the Thames is 215 miles (346km) and it should take him about two weeks, he estimates. 

He’s been going at it for five days, and has done all of the wading he expects to do, and crawled through some very cramped bridge tunnels near the Thames’ source in Gloucestershire.

Now he’s picked up his kayak, and in the latest instalment of his daily Instagram journal he asked people to name his watercraft, with the suggestion getting the most likes winning.

So it looks likely he’s going to be spending the rest of the journey in a kayak named Thamesy McThamesFace. And if you’re wondering why, this news story will reveal all.

And at least now he’s in a kayak he’s less likely to go down with some nasty bug picked up thanks to the shocking pollution levels in parts of the Thames.

Good luck, Ed. And we expect to see you attempting the Amazon or the Nile next. This is just a warm-up, surely?

And just to remind you why Pratt became in internet sensation, here’s a video detailing his global unicycling exploits, which are always fun to rewatch.

• Can you pee in a wetsuit? The burning question answered

I’ve been testing several roll-top dry bags recently and, while I like the flexible sizing and excellent waterproofing they possess, it made a refreshing change to use a dry bag that didn’t require me to unroll the top to get into it. Instead, the top on the Dri-Tide bag simply zips off around its semi-circular side, and hinges open at the back flat edge, making it very easy to get items in and out, and the inside holds its shape well. Bluefin provides a rigid inner to insert in the bag so that it completely keeps its shape, but you don’t have to use this if you don’t want to.

My main use for dry bags is hauling around wild swimming gear, but this one has a specific purpose - it’s built by paddle board specialists Bluefin and is designed to clip directly onto your board's cargo loops so you can keep all your belongings safe on your latest SUP adventure. That doesn’t mean it’s not suitable for other pursuits though, and I've been using it for my wild swimming gear, as it’s a great size for my wetsuit, water shoes, and other swimming kit.

So how did it measure up against the best dry bags? 

Waterproofing

The Bluefin Dri-Tide Deck Bag has a waterproof zip and is made of thick nylon TPU with welded seams. On test the waterproofing held up completely, both when the bag was filled with wet kit, and when I submerged it in water. It has two larger outer mesh pockets that work well for water bottles and anything else you don’t mind getting wet. 

Obviously the outer mesh pockets aren’t waterproof, and what I felt this bag could really use is an internal or external waterproof pocket for small valuables. The hinge top design means you can really fill this bag to the brim without having to worry about folding it down like most dry bags. It also comes with a bungee system and webbing loops, so there is extra space for more items if you can’t fit everything you need in, although of course anything going on the outside can still get wet. 

 Harness and handles 

The main harness comprises some seriously wide straps, with a reasonable amount of padding, and separate webbing loops that you can use to hang smaller items off. The padding appears to be made of the kind of neoprene you would see on a surfing wetsuit and felt comfortable against the body, although it lacks the breathability you would find with a mesh backing and I did find my back got sweaty using it fairly quickly.

I’m always a fan of a chest strap, even on smaller bags like this, to help spread the load, particularly when carrying heavy items such as a sodden wetsuit. Unfortunately the Dri-Tide bag doesn’t have a chest strap and, given the weight of what you could be carrying in it if you’re using it for wild swimming, this felt like an oversight.

However, the bag does have two large top grab handles made from padding webbing, which are comfortable to hold and don’t cut into your hands, even when carrying a heavy load.

Design

This bag is designed to strap to a paddleboard deck - a job made easy by the short straps top and bottom on each side that clip and unclip with carabiner-style fastenings. As long as you have cargo loops fixed to your paddle board you can clip the bag on using this system. 

Unlike many other dry bags, which are usually a simple rectangle or backpack design, the Dri-Tide bag in shaped somewhat ergonomically, similar to the shape of the front of a paddle board. The wider end of the bag is at the top, which makes it a breeze to get kit in and out of it. However, this also makes it a little top heavy when it’s being worn as a backpack, something I noticed when carting heavy kit down steep steps to one of my favorite beachy wild swimming spots.

If you bear that in mind when you’re loading it, and put your heaviest things at the bottom, then it shouldn't be an issue, but if, like me, you chucked a few beers into the top last minute then you may notice a slight sense of being off balance.

This bag is only 22L, but its large top opening makes it feel surprisingly capacious. Roll top dry bags are very effective at keeping things dry, but can feel hard to get into and finding things buried in the bottom of them can be tricky. The hinge style opening on the Blufin Dri-Tide 22L bag is a useful innovation that means you can pack the bag with more care and really use up every scrap of available space.

• The best dry bags 2026: keep your gear bone dry during adventures on land and water
• The best water shoes 2026: fast-draining, quick-drying and ready to take you from shore to sea
• How Advnture tests products

Work to clean up polluted swimming spots in England and Wales has been dealt a massive blow, campaigners say.

Pressure groups have been applying for ‘bathing water status’ for popular lakes and rivers. Getting the official designation means the water has to be tested, sources of pollution traced, and a plan put in place to make the water safe to swim in.

But now all applications for bathing water status have been paused until spring 2025, delaying the possibility of further sites being cleaned up.

This year, 27 new spots with bathing water status were announced in the UK, including 12 river sites. They will be tested by the government’s Environment Agency between now and next spring and if the water is found to breach safe levels for E coli and intestinal enterococci then any polluters identified, including water companies and local farmers, will have a legal obligation to help eradicate the problem.

Normally groups applying for bathing water status for a new location carry out surveys and consultations during the bathing water season (from May to September), to show proof that the site is already popular with swimmers and suitable for people to use. They then submit their application in the autumn, by the end of October.

But the government says applications for new sites need to stop because it’s reviewing the rules around bathing water status and how to apply for it. No firm date has been set for when applications will reopen again, but the ban will impact those trying to get local wild swimming spots cleaned up by using the process.

Stephen Haywood of the waterways charity Thames 21 told the Guardian: “This will delay new sites being created for at least two years. It is pushing this issue away into the future. If a bathing water site is found to be poor quality, the Environment Agency has to mount an investigation and the water company will have to do something about the pollution.”

Currently only 16% of rivers in England pass tests for good biological status and none pass tests for chemical pollution.

Water companies responsible for treating wastewater and producing drinking water routinely open 'storm overflows' and release untreated wastewater when it rains into the UK's river systems. The number of hours companies released sewage in this way increased by 105% from 2022 to 2023, with wastewater pouring into British waterways for a total of 3.6 million hours, at an average of almost 8 hours per incident. 

At the same time, one-off pollution events have led to private companies like Thames Water, which supplies drinking water and treats wastewater, facing massive penalties. Prosecutions of Thames Water for 12 separate pollution incidents have led to fines totalling £35.7m (GBP) between 2017 and 2023.

Tessa Wardley of the Rivers Trust said that there was no need to stop applications for bathing water status while the application system is being reviewed.

She told the Guardian: “It’s extremely disappointing for the community groups, including the Rivers Trust, who have been working extremely hard to gather data and evidence on the basis that they could submit applications this year.

“The delay will mean that these sites are not a priority for storm overflow investment in water company plans, will not be subject to investigation until they are designated [with bathing water status], and will not be monitored by the Environment Agency during the bathing water season, leaving river users at unknown risk for several more years.” 

Bathing water status is granted by the government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). 

In a statement Defra said: “The Bathing Water Regulations and application guidance are currently being revised. During this time, Defra is not accepting applications for bathing water designation. We expect to begin accepting applications again in spring 2025.”

• How to stay safe in open water: wild swimming for beginners
• The best wild swimming spots: find the perfect place to take the plunge near you
• Surfers Against Sewage real time UK sewage and pollution map - check coastal water pollution in your area