Promoted by the growth of triathlon and participation by high profile adventurers, open water swimming’s reputation is rapidly being revitalised. Endowed with fresh water lakes, rivers and temperate coastal waters, the UK is perhaps the best starting point for the sports rebirth. Romantic and natural, open water swimming benefits from the lack of gear and an unrivalled connection with a novel environment. Goggles are however a must-have item, and require a certain degree of specicifity in the open water. Aqua Sphere specific focus on swimming gear and are particuarly relevant for open water swimmers with their collection of wide-angle swim goggles. I’ve been testing the Vista in the Great Swim Series – here’s what I thought.

The Great Swim Series has only been running since 2008, and is billed as “the UK’s biggest mass participation open water swimming series”. While the original event was held in Lake Windermere, in 2011 there are five events taking place in Salford, Suffolk, Windermere, London and Strathclyde.

Little Marlow Lakes and the Westhorpe Watersports club lie in the heart of Buckinghamshire, providing a stunning setting for summer open water swimming. At under an hours train ride from central London, the lakes grant an ideal escape from the city for both the casual swimmer and the training triathlete.

Oslo’s natural capital is abundant and thanks to its northerly latitude, experienced in different ways throughout the year. Summer activities are charter in our Oslo City Guide, with winter items … Read more