'The world has a thousand ways of reducing us. Some loud, some gentle. Some dressed as love, some as duty. Sometimes it can feel easier to shrink. To accept the version of you being offered. To believe this is the size of you now.But it isn’t.When life narrowed, I refused to shrink. I set off. And I swam'We are all looking for a way to live that feels true. For Kate Rew, swimming outdoors, beneath the sky and through the elements, is that way: it’s a cannon of joy in a complicated world where, when life closes in, it’s all too easy to lose sight of the horizon.Kate does not swim to make herself better - ‘life is not an illness and nature is not there for our therapy’- but because swimming is a way of letting meaning sneak back in through the body.Blending memoir, adventure and nature writing she swims with friends, family and people she meets along the way: up a cold Welsh estuary where the tide surges under low autumn skies; down 24 kilometres of peat-dark river from the Arctic Circle where reindeer watch from the banks; through muddy rivers and ditches close to her Somerset home and into Guernsey sea gullies where clear waves tower above her.Surfacing is a life-affirming story of connection, with people, places and the parts of ourselves that can disappear. Taking us on an exhilarating, heart-opening journey through rivers, seas and reservoirs both close to home and further afield, it’s a book for anyone who has ever felt hemmed in, and who wants to lift their eyes to the horizon and keep striking out for more.It’s about not being afraid of what’s around the next bend.

'An important, inspiring book by someone that has encouraged million of people to experience the wonders and friendships of Britain's rivers, lakes and seas' ROBERT MACFARLANE'A treasured guide for anyone who wants to venture into rivers, estuaries, lakes and seas for a dip, a moonlit swim or a great adventure. I loved this book!' LYNNE COXCapturing the freewheeling spirit, community and wisdom that defines The Outdoor Swimming Society movement, founder Kate Rew reveals everything you need to know to explore rivers, lakes, seas and estuaries. Sharing tales of her own inspiring swims, Kate explores the rich and varied life of outdoor swimmers, from the physiology of cold to planning lazy hazy downstream swims.An exquisite guide for beginners and enthusiasts alike, The Outdoor Swimmers' Handbook will lead you to the shore and become your trusted companion for the adventures ahead.

In this stunning and inspiring guide, Kate Rew, founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society, takes you on a wild journey across Britain, braving the elements to experience first-hand some of the country's most awe-inspiring swim spots, from tidal pools in the Outer Hebrides to the white-sand beaches of the Isles of Scilly.Waterfalls, natural jacuzzis, sea caves, meandering rivers - every swim is described in loving detail, taking in not only the gleeful humour of each mini-adventure and the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings, but also practical information about how to find these remote spots.Featuring evocative photography from Dominick Tyler, this is a must-have book for serious swimmers and seaside paddlers alike, and is perfect for the outdoors enthusiast in your life.

'The world has a thousand ways of reducing us. Some loud, some gentle. Some dressed as love, some as duty. Sometimes it can feel easier to shrink. To accept the version of you being offered. To believe this is the size of you now.But it isn’t.When life narrowed, I refused to shrink. I set off. And I swam'We are all looking for a way to live that feels true. For Kate Rew, swimming outdoors, beneath the sky and through the elements, is that way: it’s a cannon of joy in a complicated world where, when life closes in, it’s all too easy to lose sight of the horizon.Kate does not swim to make herself better - ‘life is not an illness and nature is not there for our therapy’- but because swimming is a way of letting meaning sneak back in through the body.Blending memoir, adventure and nature writing she swims with friends, family and people she meets along the way: up a cold Welsh estuary where the tide surges under low autumn skies; down 24 kilometres of peat-dark river from the Arctic Circle where reindeer watch from the banks; through muddy rivers and ditches close to her Somerset home and into Guernsey sea gullies where clear waves tower above her.Surfacing is a life-affirming story of connection, with people, places and the parts of ourselves that can disappear. Taking us on an exhilarating, heart-opening journey through rivers, seas and reservoirs both close to home and further afield, it’s a book for anyone who has ever felt hemmed in, and who wants to lift their eyes to the horizon and keep striking out for more.It’s about not being afraid of what’s around the next bend.

'An important, inspiring book by someone that has encouraged million of people to experience the wonders and friendships of Britain's rivers, lakes and seas' ROBERT MACFARLANE'A treasured guide for anyone who wants to venture into rivers, estuaries, lakes and seas for a dip, a moonlit swim or a great adventure. I loved this book!' LYNNE COXCapturing the freewheeling spirit, community and wisdom that defines The Outdoor Swimming Society movement, founder Kate Rew reveals everything you need to know to explore rivers, lakes, seas and estuaries. Sharing tales of her own inspiring swims, Kate explores the rich and varied life of outdoor swimmers, from the physiology of cold to planning lazy hazy downstream swims.An exquisite guide for beginners and enthusiasts alike, The Outdoor Swimmers' Handbook will lead you to the shore and become your trusted companion for the adventures ahead.

In this stunning and inspiring guide, Kate Rew, founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society, takes you on a wild journey across Britain, braving the elements to experience first-hand some of the country's most awe-inspiring swim spots, from tidal pools in the Outer Hebrides to the white-sand beaches of the Isles of Scilly.Waterfalls, natural jacuzzis, sea caves, meandering rivers - every swim is described in loving detail, taking in not only the gleeful humour of each mini-adventure and the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings, but also practical information about how to find these remote spots.Featuring evocative photography from Dominick Tyler, this is a must-have book for serious swimmers and seaside paddlers alike, and is perfect for the outdoors enthusiast in your life.