Beaches, rivers and lakes brim with wild swimmers, kayakers and paddleboarders at this time of year. Tempted to join them? It might be the best thing you do all summer. ‘Being surrounded by water has a calming effect – the effects are magical,’ says Rachel Bambrough, founder of sup4.co.uk. ‘You’re not stuck within the same four walls like with many other workouts out there.’ Escape into nature, see the world from a fresh perspective and let the endorphins flow – here’s everything you need to know before taking the plunge.
Wild swimming
‘Wild swimming is swimming outdoors in a non-pool setting,’ says Salim Ahmed, swimming coach and owner of swimlab.org.uk.
WHY? ‘Swimming is one of the few things you can get better at with age,’ says Salim. Like indoor swimming, all muscles are used, yet ‘swimming outdoors generally burns more calories,’ says celebrity fitness trainer Scott Laidler.
‘Firstly, there’s the added resistance of a current and/or waves, plus
