The Best Books for Open Water Swimmers
Do you or someone you know have a deep love for the world of open water swimming?
Do you need some inspiration for presents for that said person?
We have your back. Here are our recommended top 5 books for open water swimmers!
1. The Wild Places by Robert MacFarlane
The Wild Places is a book about Robert Macfarlane’s journey to explore and document the remaining wilderness of the British Isles. The book is separated into 15 chapters, each a description of Macfarlane's journey to a particular type of wild place, such as "Island", "Valley", and "Moor".
Are there any genuinely wild places left in Britain and Ireland? Or have we tarmacked, farmed and built ourselves out of wildness? In his vital, bewitching, inspiring classic, Robert Macfarlane sets out in search of the wildness that remains.
2. Leap In by Alexandra Heminsley
From her all-too-accurate struggle to get into her first wetsuit to a triumphant swim from Kefalonia to Ithaca, the Heminsley’s enthusiasm and sense of discovery (both of place and her own internal journey) is resolutely infectious, inspiring even the most land-locked of readers to dip their toe into the water.
3. Waterlog by Roger Deakin
From the sea, from rock pools, from rivers and streams, tarns, lakes, lochs, ponds, lidos, swimming pools and spas, from fens, dykes, moats, aqueducts, waterfalls, flooded quarries, even canals, Deakin gains a fascinating perspective on modern Britain. Detained by water bailiffs in Winchester, intercepted in the Fowey estuary by coastguards, mistaken for a suicide on Camber sands, confronting the Corryvreckan whirlpool in the Hebrides, he discovers just how much of an outsider the native swimmer is to his landlocked, fully-dressed fellow citizens.
4. The Art of Resilience by Ross Edgley
Bestselling author and award-winning adventurer Ross Edgley has been studying the art of resilience for years, applying all he has learned to become the first person in history to swim around Great Britain, breaking multiple world records. Now Ross focuses on mental strength, stoicism and the training needed to create an unbreakable body.
Ross uses his swim experience and other amazing endurance feats, where he managed to overcome seemingly insurmountable pain, hardship and adversity, to study the performance of extreme athletes, military and fitness specialists and psychologists to uncover the secrets of mental fitness and explore the concept of resilience, persistence, valour and a disciplined mindset in overcoming adversity.
This ground-breaking book represents a paradigm shift in what we thought the human body and mind were capable of and will give you a blueprint to become a tougher, more resilient and ultimately better human - whatever the challenge you face.
5. 21 Yaks And A Speedo by Lewis Pugh
A collection of beautifully told short stories about how to achieve your own impossible.
The ‘21 Yaks’ collected here are the key lessons Lewis took home from all his expeditions. These were not just feats of physical stamina and endurance, but about overcoming the psychological obstacles to success. Which is why his strategies are as applicable to business and personal development as they are to extreme sports.
In 21 Yaks and a Speedo Lewis shares his ability to dream big dreams, build crack teams, and get the job done. You’ll be inspired by his devotion to excellence, his loyalty to his crew, and his belief in never giving up. The principles are simple, but effective. Stick by them, he says, and they’ll see you through.
At Tri Wetsuit Hire we believe in pursuing your boundaries and pushing your limits to better yourself and improve. These books are just a few real life examples that it can be done.
If you are new to open water swimming or looking to push yourself further, get in touch. We would love to hear from you and help you in your swimming journey.
Email us at hello@triwetsuithire.co.uk