RealSwim Adventures
www.realswimadventures.com are extraordinary swimming experiences in the beautiful waters of New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Our swim locations are surrounded by some of the world’s most breath taking scenery....
Swim Yoga
Body position, flow, breathing, relaxed yet controlled awareness of body and mind … am I talking about yoga or swimming? The reality is I could be talking about either. After decades of swimming , poor posture and some brief experiences with yoga I finally have a season, routine , means and motivation to dedicate some proper time to yoga. For the past two months I have been attending yoga sessions 2-3 times a week. After a month I noticed changes....
Is drafting over-rated?
Simon Griffiths Editor of H2 OPEN MAGAZINE published a blog post titled 'Is drafting over-rated'. The full script is below ...
Bridge to Bridge
For the second season in a row I made the trip out to Henley on Thames for the Iconic Henley to Marlow ‘Bridge to Bridge’ 14km sportive swim. This year I was accompanied by five enthusiastic Fit&Abel swimmers, four of whom were completing a 10km or greater swim for the very first time. The Henley on Thames bridge is the starting point for this marathon swim. The bridge was constructed in 1786 and sits picturesquely on the river Thames. It is a beautiful site from upon the bridge and the same can be said from under the bridge as swimmers soon discover. How many people can...
Brownsea
After swimming Cook Strait in March I was looking for some shorter fun swims to enjoy over the English summer. Brownsea Island swim ticked all the boxes. Set in Poole harbour, by Bournemouth. The race starts and finishes at Brownsea castle, the swim setting could not be more iconic. It is a 6.5km around island current assisted swim, Brownsea offers plenty of interest, challenge and variety for an open water swimmer....
First Timers
We are now well into the Northern Hemisphere open water swimming season; as per the last few summers it is fantastic to see so many new comers immersing themselves in the now hugely popular sport of open water swimming. With any new sport comes new skills to learn. As swim coaches we do our very best to ensure that your first open water experience is a good one. There are many basic pitfalls that can be avoided with a little help, knowledge and practice before your big event. Simon Griffiths of H2Open Magazine has captured some of the vital 'First Timers' pitfalls in his editorial below: 'This weekend...
Swimming Inspiration
This month I asked a swimmer to provide a guest post and Alice has kindly agreed. Swimming is an activity for all, not just those who have spent their teenage years plowing up and down the swimming lanes. If you're experiencing any doubts on your swim journey or if you are thinking about trying open water swimming hopefully Alices story will inspire. Dan I loved swimming when I was a kid. There’s even a cine film to prove it. Aged 2, in a swimming costume, on a rainy and windswept Brittany beach, I demand to go into the sea. Finally my mum (who is wrapped in...
Flying North
There is change is in the air at Fit&Abel after a record setting summer in NZ. A plethora of warm sunny days has meant endless opportunities for Open Water Swimming. Our Open Water Fitness and Technique Series continued to establish itself on the Christchurch swim calendar as a fun social environment for open water swimmers to develop their craft. Next summers series is already open with season passes available https://fitandabel.com/events-bookings/fitabel-summer-201213-series/open-water-fitness-and-technique-series/. While I prepare to fly north for the Northern Hemisphere season Fit&Abel’s NZ program will be in good hands with coach Henry Lawson helping Christchurch based swimmers refine and develop their swim technique over the...
Cook Strait Success!
Thanks for all the requests asking for my personal account of my recent Cook Strait swim. I wrote the following as I waited for my swim window… Here I am two days out from my first tide window. Everything you read and hear about the difficulty in waiting for that swim window to open is true. No amount of willing will make the weather and tides conspire so patience is a must....
Cook Strait
For those who have not visited the website of late; Fit&Abel’s Dan Abel has grand plans of swimming Cook Strait this year. The support coming in has been terrific though not surprising. The global swimming fraternity are renowned for being such a fun, social and supportive bunch. The following is from Dan:...