NZ3 The Kiwi Triple Crown
Oceans Seven has created a massive amount of interest in New Zealand’s contribution to the Oceans Seven; Cook Strait. At present open water swim legend and Cook Strait swim guide guru Philip Rush fields a phenomenal number of inquiries about the swim, I believe he is now taking bookings for 2016 and beyond. Cook Strait is an amazing piece of water, the tides are completely opposite at each end of the strait making currents impossible to accurately model and predict. The weather can best be described as knarly. Every form of wildlife imaginable calls Cook Strait home or at least transits through, you honestly have...
Lessons Learnt
Autumn has arrived in the UK and spring has blossomed in New Zealand. Phases of training will be changing for the open water swimmers in each hemisphere. In the UK it’s almost time to head indoors for a few months of focus on technique and building the fitness ready for next year. In New Zealand it’s time for swimmers to start heading to the open water. Before you change training phases it’s a good time to take stock and to plan your next round of swimming. There are plenty of lessons learnt. Why make mistakes yourself when others have taken the time to make them...
ASSISTED
Let’s start with some clarification: I do not consider myself a marathon swim expert. I have a reasonable amount of experience in many different forms of swimming. I do love swimming. Any kind of swimming. I have been involved in swimming my entire life. I enjoy sharing my swim knowledge. I enjoy seeing people achieve their swim goals. I enjoy learning from other swimmers and coaches alike. Hearing about others swim experiences and different perspectives on swim technique and performance is part of the learning process. I don’t care if you swim in a costume, in a wetsuit, want to learn to swim, swim a...
RealSwim Adventures
www.realswimadventures.com are extraordinary swimming experiences in the beautiful waters of New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Our swim locations are surrounded by some of the world’s most breath taking scenery....
Swim Yoga
Body position, flow, breathing, relaxed yet controlled awareness of body and mind … am I talking about yoga or swimming? The reality is I could be talking about either. After decades of swimming , poor posture and some brief experiences with yoga I finally have a season, routine , means and motivation to dedicate some proper time to yoga. For the past two months I have been attending yoga sessions 2-3 times a week. After a month I noticed changes....
Is drafting over-rated?
Simon Griffiths Editor of H2 OPEN MAGAZINE published a blog post titled 'Is drafting over-rated'. The full script is below ...
Bridge to Bridge
For the second season in a row I made the trip out to Henley on Thames for the Iconic Henley to Marlow ‘Bridge to Bridge’ 14km sportive swim. This year I was accompanied by five enthusiastic Fit&Abel swimmers, four of whom were completing a 10km or greater swim for the very first time. The Henley on Thames bridge is the starting point for this marathon swim. The bridge was constructed in 1786 and sits picturesquely on the river Thames. It is a beautiful site from upon the bridge and the same can be said from under the bridge as swimmers soon discover. How many people can...
Brownsea
After swimming Cook Strait in March I was looking for some shorter fun swims to enjoy over the English summer. Brownsea Island swim ticked all the boxes. Set in Poole harbour, by Bournemouth. The race starts and finishes at Brownsea castle, the swim setting could not be more iconic. It is a 6.5km around island current assisted swim, Brownsea offers plenty of interest, challenge and variety for an open water swimmer....
First Timers
We are now well into the Northern Hemisphere open water swimming season; as per the last few summers it is fantastic to see so many new comers immersing themselves in the now hugely popular sport of open water swimming. With any new sport comes new skills to learn. As swim coaches we do our very best to ensure that your first open water experience is a good one. There are many basic pitfalls that can be avoided with a little help, knowledge and practice before your big event. Simon Griffiths of H2Open Magazine has captured some of the vital 'First Timers' pitfalls in his editorial below: 'This weekend...
Swimming Inspiration
This month I asked a swimmer to provide a guest post and Alice has kindly agreed. Swimming is an activity for all, not just those who have spent their teenage years plowing up and down the swimming lanes. If you're experiencing any doubts on your swim journey or if you are thinking about trying open water swimming hopefully Alices story will inspire. Dan I loved swimming when I was a kid. There’s even a cine film to prove it. Aged 2, in a swimming costume, on a rainy and windswept Brittany beach, I demand to go into the sea. Finally my mum (who is wrapped in...