Where to swim

There are many lakes up and down the country which have organised sessions and have suitable safety in place. I would recommend you swim in one these locations and as there will be other like-minded

Whether you swim to compete, swim for fitness, take a dip on holiday, or just want to spend some time in the water with the Family, Zoggs wants to celebrate what makes you #SwimHappy!

It’s well known that taking a dip releases those much needed endorphins. You don’t believe us? A recent study by British Gas SwimBritain conducted by MindLab (2014) ‘The secret to happiness? Swimming has all the answers’ highlights how much swimming can truly help when it comes to positivity, motivation and overall levels of wellbeing. By adding a few laps of the pool into the weekly schedule they found:

• A reported increase of 35% in positivity.
• Taking a dip increases energy levels by 51% and fitness levels by 15%.
• While swimming is low impact, it increases the levels of sleep quality by 40%, and those swimming more than 2.5 hours a week their quality of sleep at least doubled.
• The participants negative emotions decreased by 33%, while the positive emotions increased on average 35%.
• Overall it was found that levels of wellbeing increased on average 20%.

  

  While figures are useful, sometimes there is no better way to find out what makes you #SwimHappy than jumping in! Need some inspiration on how to discover your excuse for a swim? Check out Zoggs top tips:

  • Swim with friends - Solo lane swims not for you? Why not join a swimming club or collect together your friends and set some fun challenges, race each other or just have a gossip at the end of the lane when you want a break.
  • Set yourself a training routine – If you need some motivation to keep swimming set yourself a target and a training routine to achieve it. Whether they are training sets of 10 or 20, they are a great way of staying motivated as well as keeping count of those lengths you’ve done.
  • Try out something different – Pool based activities have been increasing in popularity recently with the development of Aqua Aerobics or Aqua Zumba. These are great ways to still get exercise in a low impact environment. If you are looking for something a little more challenging there is always sports such as Synchronised Swimming or Water Polo.
  • Games! – This can be great when you are swimming with the family. Games could be creating Fun Relays using multiple strokes or using Zoodles. You could also dive for treasure with Dive Sticks or Clam Hunt. Games don’t necessarily only work for the family, they can also help motivate solo swims. Visit

Ryan Crouch is an S9 swimmer with Cerebral Palsy, and at the age of 22 years-old, he is on his way to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. We caught up with Ryan in the lead up to the games...

On the 23rd April 2016 my dreams finally came true. After 11 years of tough training, health setbacks, and no major breakthrough, I found myself punching the air at the end of the lane after achieving the Rio 2016 Paralympic Qualifying Standard on the S9 50m Freestyle. Two days later, I was lucky enough to receive a letter from Chris Furber (NPD) to congratulate me on being selected for this years Paralympics!

Due to health setbacks in December 2014, I had quit the sport for a few months. When I returned to the sport I adore, I decided to coach myself and see where it would lead. My occupation of being a swim coach aided my progress. It was not easy, but I had fun challenging myself!

Since first finding the qualifying standard I would need to achieve at Para Swimming Trials in Glasgow (April 2016), I knew it was going to be a race against time! My personal best time in November 2015 for my 50m Freestyle was 27.50s. The qualification standard for Rio was 26.49s. A significant difference over just 1 length of an Olympic-sized pool. However, I always believed, and never lost hope. In the heats of 50m Freestyle, I swam a time of 26.37s, briefly taking the British Record and achieving the Paralympic goal.

Since selection, I have always had the thought of just being able to turn up and compete in Rio. However, that is not how I work! I have been working very hard, taking gambles in the pool and gym, creating the 100% package to ensure that I do not just make up the numbers in Rio! I want to perform to the best of my ability for myself, my family, ParalympicsGB, and to inspire the children that I coach in swimming.

Going into the Rio Paralympic Games, I am feeling pure excitement and no nerves as yet! Although I'm aware that it's natural for self-anticipation and nerves to grow the nearer I get to race day!

The overall feeling heading into the games is determination to improve on the big stage. Of course I am so proud to be representing ParalympicsGB, but whilst I can still have an impact on results in Rio, I am striving to move forward.

Ryan will compete in the S9 100m Freestyle on the 12th September, and the 50m Freestyle on the 13th. Want to show your support? You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter!