We are10 years old in 2013 and to celebrate we have launched a number of new trips across the globe.  Our favorites are the new Classic British Swims. These swims are based in some of the UK’s most iconic swims from the non-tidal River Thames to the swirling waters of the Corryvreckan in Scotland.  The trips are aimed at all swimmers who love being outside and want to try a new adventure. 

When Louise Twining Ward, who lives in Brooklyn, New York wanted to indulge her love of the big blue by going on a SwimTrek swimming holiday to the British Virgin Islands she faced a dilemma. Her children (12 and 14) are too young to join and her husband is a more of a dry-land sort of chap.

We're having a party. 

Did you hear? 

It's to celebrate our 10 year Anniversary.

Hard to believe but SwimTrek started 10 years ago in Simon Murie’s back bedroom.

Swimmers have a variety of reasons for taking the plunge into open water. For some it is the thrill of taking part in a highly competitive sport, keeping fit or simply for the joy of being in the water outdoors.  

For me it was my father who shared his fun and passion for water with me from before I could even walk. 

As a child in the 1970s we would spend hours having fun in the sea on the Suffolk coast despite the jellyfish and tar that seemed so prolific in those days.

Henley Swim and SwimTrek are also both celebrating being 10 years old this year, so to mark these landmark anniversaries Henley Swim are offering two lucky winners places in The Henley Classic swim on 30th June 2013.  To enter all need to do is answer the following question...

Dan Abel our intrepid Tooting Bec Lido coach recently crossed the Cook Strait in New Zealand in an incredible 6 hours 15 min which is the 4th fastest crossing ever! We interviewed him to find out more about his epic adventure!

Find out what made him want to swim the Cook Strait, whether he saw any marine wildlife and his plans for future challenges.

Irish pride will be on full pride this weekend with the feast of Saint Patrick on March 17th.The people of Ireland, at home and abroad, will be downing tools to celebrate one of the greatest parties in the world. You don’t have to be Irish to join in; even the Egyptian pyramids will be turning green. 

Why not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by entering an Irish open water swim event? Ireland has loads of amazing open water swim locations; it’s easy to get to and get around; and is always a great place for some craic. Here are some of the events that Trish, our Irish swim guide, is currently looking forward to...

SwimTrek’s Simon Murie's column in H2Open Magazine explores swims to add to your 2013 open water swimming wish list. This month, it's Alcatraz.. The distance may ‘only’ be 1.5 miles and thousands of people have successfully completed it, but this swim shouldn’t be underestimated!

Spread over 1,500 miles the Hawaiin island chain consists of over 100 islets. At the south-eastern end of the archipelago, the eight "main islands" are (from the northwest to southeast) Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui and the island of Hawaiʻi. With a coastline of over 750 miles long, there are plenty of open water swimming experiences to be had.

March sees the online sales of our London based Tooting Bec Lido swim program, Londons premiere Open Water Swim training venue. This program is delivered by Open Water Specialist Swim Coach, Dan Abel.

Tooting Bec Lido is a 92M long unheated outdoor swimming pool. It is as close to swimming open water as you can get without actually being in the open water. The pool is a true swim ‘jewel’ for London and provides the perfect environment for swimmers to comfortably adapt their pool swimming for open water swim activities, be it a SwimTrek Holiday or upcoming Open Water swim event or Triathlon.