Articles

Discover the health benefits of open water swimming

When the health benefits of the Japanese practice of ‘forest bathing’ hit the headlines recently, we were reminded about the
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Power your swim with porridge

Porridge not only helps warm you up on the inside, but it’s a great fitness fuel at any time of
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Why stroke timing is the key to swimming more effectively

Once you have the basics in place from our previous training advice on perfecting your stroke, sighting, breathing, kick action,
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What stroke should I use for Swim Serpentine?

There are four official swimming strokes: front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and butterfly. Front crawl is generally the preferred stroke
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Open water swimming tips from British Olympian Roberto Pavoni

Former European Championship silver medallist in the pool, Roberto Pavoni successfully made the move to open water swimming where he
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The perfect swim start

Having done all the hard graft to get to the Start Line of your swim, it’s important to nail your
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Swimming kit guide

Check out our guide to all the open water swimming kit you’ll need when you take on Swim Serpentine. WetsuitWetsuits
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Wetsuit or non-wetsuit?

Swim Serpentine allows you to decide whether you want to wear a wetsuit or not if the water temp is
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Open Water Swimming Skills Session 8: Ramp Up Your Race Start

Teaching Point A tougher version of the earlier session. A strong start is of use to help find clear water
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Open Water Swimming Skills Session 7: Recreate Open Water Conditions

Teaching PointThe addition of team-mates allows waves to be created, bunched swimming, relays and a competitive edge, which is how
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Open Water Swimming Skills Session 6: Leg Work

Teaching PointEnding your open water swim with a strong and controlled leg kick can help reintroduce some blood flow to
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Open Water Swimming Skills Session 5: Race Day Training

Teaching PointMore specific open water swim drills that really relate to what can unfold on Race Day. Some of these
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Open Water Swimming Skills Session 4: Speed and Endurance

Teaching Point This main set has an open water theme in that it recreates the continuous nature of open water
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Open Water Swimming Skills Session 3: Breathing and Sighting

Teaching Point Each part of this mainset has an Open Water theme that will bring something to your skill set
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Open Water Swimming Skills Session 2: Race Pace Work

Teaching PointDecreasing volumes of race pace work, mixed with a chance to technically realign the stroke, makes for a productive
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Open Water Swimming Skills Session 1: Replicate Your Race Start

Teaching PointWork the two lengths full stroke front crawl especially hard to replicate a race ‘start.’ Then relax into mid-race
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Warm-up Sessions

Prepare with these warm-up options ahead of the main sets that follow. Choose one to start your session depending on
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The Confidence to Race in Open Water

Daniel Bullock, Director of Swim for Tri, explains how to gain the confidence to take part in an open water
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Two-mile pool training plan

If you’re planning to train for the Swim Serpentine two-mile event in a 25m pool, you’ll need to complete 128
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One-mile pool training plan

If you’re planning to train for the Swim Serpentine one-mile event in a 25m pool, you’ll need to complete 64
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Half-mile training plan

New to open water? Don’t worry, this training plan offers lots of helpful advice and information for beginners. Open water
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Andy Tennant – How to Prepare Checklist (video)

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Andy Tennant – How to Tackle Hills (video)

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Andy Tennant – Top Tips for Beginner Cyclists (video)

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Andy Tennant – How to Hand Signal (video)

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Andy Tennant – How to Cycle 54 Miles (video)

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Andy Tennant – How I got into Cycling (video)

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Why train in winter?

The summer fun is well and truly over, and it’s time to find another way to socialise to stop you
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Top training tips for beginners

David from Dirty Weekend has given us his Top 5 beginner training tips. Cycling the 54 miles from London to
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Smart swimming

Don’t get caught out and find yourself short of practise ahead of Swim Serpentine – follow our useful tips to
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Open water training advice

The main summer season for open water swimming is from May until October. An open water swim training session is
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Training Advice

Swimming is a low impact sport, as it is non weight bearing. This is good news as you are less
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How to Fall Asleep Easily At Night And Wake Up Energized in the Morning

These are the best things to do — and not to do — to maximize your sleep hours. How would
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Hearts and minds: fruit and veg boost well-being

Consuming more fruit and vegetables can improve your mental well-being, according to a new study, ‘Lettuce be happy.’ Researchers at
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Can You Really Exercise Away Depression and Anxiety?

On the internet, there are endless lists of the things you can do to heal yourself of any ailment: from depression to migraines, from anxiety to irritable bowel syndrome. Apparently you can cure anything simply chant positive mantras, drink enough water to become a camel, and practice yoga 24/7…maybe even shower while standing on one’s head.
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The Best Disinfectant Is Sunlight

If we’re going to spend ever more time indoors, we need to at least let the sun shine in We
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Sunlight and its Effects on Human Health

On the off chance that you are not used to the sun, you, in the long run, will but rather
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Sunlight

Fresh air impoverishes the doctor. -Danish Proverb Based on studies being conducted by Dr. Paul Desan at the Psychiatric Consultant
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14 Reasons Why the Sun is Good for You and its Importance

Most of us start smiling when the summer comes and it’s no surprise – a little sunshine every day has
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Why We Should Exercise

Changing exercise motivations from physical to mental When I teach a group exercise class, I always ask my participants why
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Teens and Sleep: The Cost of Sleep Deprivation

Lack of adequate sleep is linked to moodiness, risky behavior and injuries It’s a radical thought, but what if the
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Trouble Falling Asleep? Try This. (You’re Welcome.)

A good night’s rest is closer than you may think. Let’s start with a confession: 70% of the time, I’m
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Five Ways Sleep Is Good for Your Relationships

New research highlights how sleep benefits our social lives. I’m a sleep lover. I like going to bed at the
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Good night’s sleep more important than a pay rise in making you happy, says study

Sleeping well has a far more profound impact on wellbeing than a significant pay rise, according to new research.A survey
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Nutrition as an Intervention for Depression and Anxiety?

A growing body of research comprises the emerging field of “nutritional psychiatry,” which explores nutrition interventions to alleviate symptoms of
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This Emotion Can Help You Eat Healthier

A new study finds that practicing gratitude can improve your food choices. With the end of 2018 fast approaching, soon
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Maintaining A Healthy Balanced Lifestyle

Watch this video for help and advice on how to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7394RCfk2XkWith so many choices, it isn’t
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Path To Improved Health

It can be hard to change your eating habits. It helps if you focus on small changes. Making changes to
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The Importance Of Nutrition For Health

Good nutrition is essential for a healthy body that’s able to fight off infections and function properly, but many individuals
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Physical Health

“The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” –Plato The top line: abundant scientific research demonstrates the
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