After asking a swimmer to perform a drill or a particular task a good coach will ask for feedback. A great coach will ask “And what else?

Pollution of open water in the UK is often the norm rather than the exception.   

I had assumed that the main strokes used today had been around for hundreds of years

No death should be seen as more or less important than any other. Each one represents a human tragedy, a heart-rendering, gut-wrenching loss from which a family can never fully recover. This is not some competition; a morbid and macabre race to the bottom. Nevertheless, official figures do allow us provide some context regarding the relative dangers posed by open-water swimming.

The pressures faced by operators seem to keep mounting and there are few options for a quick fix.

…whilst most of us are warm and cosy in bed youngsters are plunging into chilly waters. All for their dream of a brief moment of glory.

There seem to be an awful lot of folks prepared to step beyond the boundaries of public decency for the sake of a little thrill seeking.

“There is reason to think that swimming works to prevent falls… [by developing]…strong core muscles which are necessary for good balance control”.

If you are swimming on a regular and frequent basis but with poor technique, you will be doing more harm than good

How can the sport be made more exciting, increasing its profile and thus, hopefully attracting more funding which can trickle down to the benefit of all?

I think I have exhausted the number of times I can gift a pair of novelty socks. But as for alternatives, I don’t have a clue.

Or do I?

Never be afraid to return to basics. Remind yourself that skills you now take for granted were once huge challenges to be overcome..and don’t forget that, no matter how accomplished a swimmer you are currently, there are still places to go and aspects to explore to make you even better.