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Wild Open Swim
Inspirations from swimming through the seasons
The Wild Open Swim Blog is a celebration of open water swimming all year and the photographs, words and artwork that it has inspired.
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![A serene wild swimming adventure](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_68d59fbb97a64cc7aaf2ef97b703c947~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_68d59fbb97a64cc7aaf2ef97b703c947~mv2.webp)
Guest
Jan 242 min read
A serene wild swimming adventure
An open water swimmers reveal his experience of swimming the 10K Lock to Lock last year
72 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_53c8981350fd41d29c21bdece294c012~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_53c8981350fd41d29c21bdece294c012~mv2.webp)
![More than a swim](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_53c8981350fd41d29c21bdece294c012~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_53c8981350fd41d29c21bdece294c012~mv2.webp)
Guest
Jun 3, 20234 min read
More than a swim
I had no idea of what would come of entering the 4K Swim Oxford event in 2015 but 7 years on I would never have thought it so transformative
109 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_7befcd645d5c4aa88fdc57fde5774e00~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_7befcd645d5c4aa88fdc57fde5774e00~mv2.webp)
![Lock to Lock Champions](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_7befcd645d5c4aa88fdc57fde5774e00~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_7befcd645d5c4aa88fdc57fde5774e00~mv2.webp)
Guest
May 24, 20233 min read
Lock to Lock Champions
Over the years, the Lock to Lock 4K wild swim series has witnessed remarkable achievements from the competitors.
135 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_c53cb801cd364cafa051df0e897a9de0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_c53cb801cd364cafa051df0e897a9de0~mv2.webp)
![The art and challenge of wild swimming](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_c53cb801cd364cafa051df0e897a9de0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_c53cb801cd364cafa051df0e897a9de0~mv2.webp)
Guest
May 5, 20233 min read
The art and challenge of wild swimming
The Lock to Lock wild swim series is not just a competition, but a celebration of the art of swimming and the beauty of the natural world.
144 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_257ea70cb7bd4b3197df08643b9ce89c~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_257ea70cb7bd4b3197df08643b9ce89c~mv2.webp)
![1000 consecutive days and more…](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_257ea70cb7bd4b3197df08643b9ce89c~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_257ea70cb7bd4b3197df08643b9ce89c~mv2.webp)
Ruth Rayner
Mar 3, 20234 min read
1000 consecutive days and more…
Ruth Rayner didn't set out to swim every day for for any particular length of time but somehow it became a way of coping
277 views
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![From cold water to open water: the continuing journey](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_0e327e2df1544b83938ff062debdd4e3~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_0e327e2df1544b83938ff062debdd4e3~mv2.webp)
Annika Surry
Aug 19, 20224 min read
From cold water to open water: the continuing journey
Annike describes her ongoing journey - the evolution she has made from cold water dipper to open water swimmer, and the great benefits felt
2,794 views
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![Lock to Lock Training Adventure](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_d24e8b5efa3b47499e7409bf4824e486~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_d24e8b5efa3b47499e7409bf4824e486~mv2.webp)
Aerin Bowers
Jul 28, 20223 min read
Lock to Lock Training Adventure
An open water swimmer from Canada shares her experience of a training swim down the Thames, in preparation for the Zurich Marathon Swim.
297 views
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![The Lock to Lock 4k](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_873cc9dfc17540fa937dc34e62e0b5c8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_873cc9dfc17540fa937dc34e62e0b5c8~mv2.webp)
Darrin Roles
Jun 28, 20223 min read
The Lock to Lock 4k
Images from the Lock to Lock 4k and reflections from the organiser and some partipants.
353 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_726c27828daa46d7b08db209b6b6948e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_726c27828daa46d7b08db209b6b6948e~mv2.webp)
![A Blind Swimmer’s Vision](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_726c27828daa46d7b08db209b6b6948e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_726c27828daa46d7b08db209b6b6948e~mv2.webp)
Melanie
Feb 12, 20226 min read
A Blind Swimmer’s Vision
What is it like to be a partially-sighted wild swimmer? A double paralympic champion Melanie writes about her wild swimming journey.
759 views
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![Every Body Counts](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_8a3e4ea7d62d449a9ecd3eb87b978ab8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_8a3e4ea7d62d449a9ecd3eb87b978ab8~mv2.webp)
Debbie, Emma and Darrin
Jan 15, 20226 min read
Every Body Counts
A story of how two wild swimmers in Swim Oxford's 4K Lock-to-Lock swim inadvertently helped to turn around the life of one of my clients.
12,287 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/759922_90311736955442838d2f758b3dcd525f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/759922_90311736955442838d2f758b3dcd525f~mv2.webp)
![The Cool Vibe](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/759922_90311736955442838d2f758b3dcd525f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/759922_90311736955442838d2f758b3dcd525f~mv2.webp)
Gemma Ferrier, Mel Haward and Lisa Keeping
Dec 5, 20218 min read
The Cool Vibe
The cryo bio of three swimmers reflecting on cold water exposure, what it has meant in their lives and why they keep doing it. Why do I...
487 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_eb1aa45a56e844c7b14ebbf65c4c1ae4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_eb1aa45a56e844c7b14ebbf65c4c1ae4~mv2.webp)
![Wild swimming with teenagers in West Cork, Ireland](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_eb1aa45a56e844c7b14ebbf65c4c1ae4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_eb1aa45a56e844c7b14ebbf65c4c1ae4~mv2.webp)
Fiona Tomlinson
Nov 20, 20214 min read
Wild swimming with teenagers in West Cork, Ireland
There is something about swimming in the sea, something constant and comforting, nostalgic in a way.
3,363 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_09acb4d50d9d46da96f75a4b4785a45c~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_09acb4d50d9d46da96f75a4b4785a45c~mv2.webp)
![It's beginning to look a bit like winter](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_09acb4d50d9d46da96f75a4b4785a45c~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_09acb4d50d9d46da96f75a4b4785a45c~mv2.webp)
Three wild swimmers: Fiona, Darrin and Kath
Nov 6, 20214 min read
It's beginning to look a bit like winter
Three wild swimmers reflect on the return of winter swims
254 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_6a6c995bedd3473dba0a1987c84f6c18~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_6a6c995bedd3473dba0a1987c84f6c18~mv2.webp)
![Lock to Lock SwimRun with Simon Griffiths](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_6a6c995bedd3473dba0a1987c84f6c18~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_6a6c995bedd3473dba0a1987c84f6c18~mv2.webp)
Simon Griffiths
Oct 23, 20215 min read
Lock to Lock SwimRun with Simon Griffiths
Simon Griffiths reflects on his performance at the 2021 Lock to Lock Swimrun
206 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_3b119c9f434245928f656cc68ce285c2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_3b119c9f434245928f656cc68ce285c2~mv2.webp)
![Swim-Run 2021 photos from the day](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_3b119c9f434245928f656cc68ce285c2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_3b119c9f434245928f656cc68ce285c2~mv2.webp)
Darrin Roles
Sep 26, 20212 min read
Swim-Run 2021 photos from the day
An early misty September morning saw the start of the beautiful Lock to Lock Swim-Run on the banks of the Thames at Eynsham,...
251 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_ab0604ee710f477981c587e90d1432c3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_ab0604ee710f477981c587e90d1432c3~mv2.webp)
![SwimRun: from the feet up...](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_ab0604ee710f477981c587e90d1432c3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_ab0604ee710f477981c587e90d1432c3~mv2.webp)
Fiona Undrill & Kath Fotheringham
Sep 4, 20218 min read
SwimRun: from the feet up...
Here is a beginners guide to understanding swimrun gear, as well as money-saving suggestions for getting by without the big outlay
630 views
![Embracing adventure](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_d48e4f83442f4c6f902281e60019e680~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/9f8c5f_d48e4f83442f4c6f902281e60019e680~mv2.webp)
Chloe De Grave
Aug 15, 20213 min read
Embracing adventure
The events have given me an opportunity to challenge myself, to test my limits, to not overthink it and just embrace the adventure.
112 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_2ccd1dd006894612bcbeb55c5ef29ada~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_2ccd1dd006894612bcbeb55c5ef29ada~mv2.webp)
![Swim the 10k this July: mad fantasy or achievable challenge?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_2ccd1dd006894612bcbeb55c5ef29ada~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_2ccd1dd006894612bcbeb55c5ef29ada~mv2.webp)
Fiona Undrill & Kath Fotheringham
Jun 13, 20215 min read
Swim the 10k this July: mad fantasy or achievable challenge?
Two swimmers talk through the reasons to do the Lock to Lock 10k this year, or rather one swimmer tries to persuade her friend to join...
325 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_c1bdd49773324ed6a73e925b6f26fc36~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_c1bdd49773324ed6a73e925b6f26fc36~mv2.webp)
![All year swimming in North Norway](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_c1bdd49773324ed6a73e925b6f26fc36~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_c1bdd49773324ed6a73e925b6f26fc36~mv2.webp)
Fiona Undrill & Katrine Gotliebsen
Apr 24, 20215 min read
All year swimming in North Norway
open water swimming all year round near the arctic circle
534 views
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_037399bc65fb4174ab2ac3eb42fa9a37~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/9f8c5f_037399bc65fb4174ab2ac3eb42fa9a37~mv2.webp)
![Swim catch up](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f8c5f_037399bc65fb4174ab2ac3eb42fa9a37~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_469,h_352,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/9f8c5f_037399bc65fb4174ab2ac3eb42fa9a37~mv2.webp)
Darrin Roles & Stuart Hacker
Apr 10, 20215 min read
Swim catch up
Catch-up on Lock to Lock swim preparation after a long layoff, with Darrin Roles and Stuart Hacker
353 views
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