HUNG OUT TO DRY
Swimming and British Culture
ISBN: 978-0-557-12428-2Chris Ayriss
Wild Swimming - Swimming History
The 2000 year History of Wild Swimming in the UK
Rivers - Lakes - Lidos - Sea
"Superb" Daniel Start (Wild Swimming)
"...a fascinating book, ...very readable, informative and entertaining... excellent illustrations." Leicester Mercury: Dip into our lost history (wild Swimming)
"...the whole story makes for a fascinating social history." Bristol Evening Post: You can have a really wild time swimming in lakes and rivers
"...a thought-provoking and stimulating book, written in an accessible, direct and conversational style. ...of interest to every outdoor swimmer." The Outdoor Swimming Society (wild swimming)
Wild Swimming History £12.50 Signed POST FREE
This captivating book puts flesh on the bones of British history, exposing for the first time the dramatic impact that wild swimming has had on our culture and morals. It explores the reason for a change in attitudes that has shaped the lives of every man woman and child in Great Britain and to varying degrees the world.
In Britain wild swimming was once so common and accepted, that happy swimmers filled the lakes, rivers and canals of England. The British set an example to be followed by the world. How then did these sportsmen, the pride of the nation, find themselves chased out of the water, rounded up and confined to indoor swimming pools? Discover how pride turned to prejudice as a nation of skinny dippers sparked the development of the unique British culture of prudery. Discover how the Church, the seaside holiday, sunbathing and even the lido shared in changing our culture and history. Visit the city of Leicester Swim City, where the wild swimmers history is revealed and discover how wild swimming is now re-emerging against the odds.
Order this wild swimming history by phone on: 0116 247 1307 (UK)
Chris Ayriss; a family man and swimming enthusiast presents his work after a decade of research and discovery. His book fills the conspicuous gap in understanding, that envelops this controversial and thought provoking subject.
Illustrated throughout
160 pages (7 1/2 inches by 9 3/4)
ISBN 978-0-557-12428-2
just £12.50 inc p&p
Wild Swimming history - SPECIAL OFFER!
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'Hung Out To Dry is a serious work of dogged research, personal experience and an insightful indictment of our times where to have water fun is now so regulated that it will cease to be fun at all! Read this book and wake up to what has happened to the English.' Roger Hutchinsonn |
The history of wild Swimming in rivers, lakes, lidos and the sea
Wild Swimming
News
Algae outrage at Lake Windemere
"Another major swimming event was able to go ahead in another part of the lake yesterday but the Great North Swim decision was criticised for damaging the local tourist trade." September 5 2010
Landlocked Leicestershire has more swimmers than any other part of England
"According to Statistics about 76,400 adults swim at least once a week in Leicestershire and Rutland - equal to 9.5% of the population. The figure is well above the national average of 7.7% and a big leap since 2006 when the figure was below the national average at around 60,000 regular swimmers." September 4 2010
UK's biggest outdoor swimming event postponed due to algae
More than 9,000 Wild Swimming entrants for the Great North Swim have been told by text to stand down from the event, which had been expected to attract at least 15,000 spectators to the Lake District. September 4 2010
Scottish Life Saver
"The Scottish Government has announced £800,000 will be invested in free swimming lessons for primary pupils. The money is aimed at ensuring all children have the opportunity to learn to swim before leaving primary school." Money well spent. September 3 2010
Anne Marie makes history wild swimming to Scotland
"Long-distance swimmer Anne Marie Ward (44), from Co Donegal, now joins an elite group of nine swimmers who completed the gruelling 35km swim between the north of Ireland and South Western Scotland." September 3 2010
How to swim
Read this excellent article promoting wild swimming in today's telegraph. September 1 2010
Mass wild swimming
"Next to me on the bench was a friendly Newlyn octogenarian, who told me about how 'when he was a lad' - ie before the advent of 'health and safety 'n' all that' - the race started with a dive off Newlyn harbour wall. Wetsuit? 'Naaaw.. wouldn't have known the meaning of the word'. We are a bit soft these days, aren't we? Not his 19-year-old granddaughter, though, who last weekend swam from the Brisons (rock a mile off Cape Cornwall, ie in the Atlantic Ocean) to shore. Hard. Core." August 31 2010
Kids & adults need to get into swim of things
In the U.K. children are discouraged from wild swimming in rivers and lakes. But a very different approach is used overseas. The tragic news of six teens drowning in Louisiana at the beginning of this month set off a national wave of concern regarding the number of people who die in the water as a result of not knowing how to swim. Rather than enforce swimming restrictions an effort is being made to teach all children how to swim. August 30 2101
Lewis Pugh goes wild swimming on Everest at 5000 feet
August 30 2010
Fond memories of old swimming holes
"Back then, there wasn't anything else for kids to do during the summer," Piwowarski said. "Most people didn't have much (money or resources) to begin with, so 'real' vacations were out of the question. So, they made their own fun," wild swimming. August 28 2010
Minority Swimming Gap
According to a survey by USA Swimming, nearly 60 percent of young African-Americans and 56 percent of Latino teens do not know how to swim. Experts say this is a result of many things, from lack of resources to racial divides. Gary Hamilton talks with Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones about what he's doing to battle this problem. August 27 2010
Roger Deakin called swimming a "subversive activity". His bestselling book "Waterlog" published 11 years ago, inspired what has become known as the "wild-swimming movement"and, some argue, rekindled Britain's love affair with nature and hearty outdoor pursuits. August 27 2010
Wild Swimming in the River Seven
75 swimmers of all ages took to the waters of the River Severn for the third open water wild swim. August 24 2010
Work reveals hidden Norfolk swimming pool
In the main auditorium, the floor has been temporarily taken up to reveal a former swimming pool - complete with depth measurements - which has been hidden away since the second world war. August 25 2010
Wild swimming for charity, 13 lakes in 13 days.
"It's been going really well," said Rebecca, who teaches diving and used to swim competitively. "It has been incredible fun. We have seen some amazing views from the middle of the lakes that you would never normally see. It has been really beautiful. August 24 2010
Free swimming lessons target Ontario Drownings
Last month, Ontario's acting chief coroner ordered a review of the 91 drowning deaths so far this year. In response free swimming lessons are being made available to both adults and children. Statistics show that most of those who drown are adults and that 66 per cent of drownings in Ontario happen within 15 metres of shore or shallow water. Learn to swim and stay safe. August 23 2010
Going wild for wild swimming
An article in today's Evening Telegraph tells us to enjoy the outdoors but highlights the potential dangers children may face. In the UK our attitudes and suspicions prevent us from fully embracing wild swimming culture. Child safety is best served through education rather than prohibition. 21 August 2010
Wild Swimming: The Newest Outdoor Sport?
"Wild swimming may seem unusual and exciting these days - but before chlorinated pools and swimming clubs, it was the only way to make a splash on a hot day! In fact, before the 1930s, wild swimming was considered the perfect outdoor activity for kids and parents alike" 20 August 2010
Compulsory swimming lessons save lives
This story from New Zealand highlights the need to teach all children to swim. "Matt Claridge says Maori make up a disproportionate number of drowning deaths, usually from diving, fishing and boating incidents." Maori drowning deaths may be at a 20 year low dropping from 13 to 7 of the 48 total, but still more could be done. Think of the lives that could be saved worldwide if all children were taught to swim and trained in survival. 20 August 2010
Loch swim called off after toxic algae found in water
Scotland's biggest wild swimming event has been postponed after toxic algae was found in the waters of Strathclyde Loch. 20 August 2010
George Brunstad prepares to celebrate his 76th birthday by wild swimming the length of lake Winnipesaukee
Already the oldest person to swim the English Channel, wild swimmer George Brunstad is scheduled to start swimming at 10 p.m. next Tuesday in Center Harbor and to complete his 22 mile journey some 18 hours later on his 76th birthday in Alton Bay. 19 August 2010
Prevent children drowning - teach them to swim and swim well
'Organizers will be able to count each season how many children those who otherwise couldn't afford lessons now know this life skill.' The knowledge and experience of wild swimming can save lives. 19 August 2010
Thank goodness their are still some diving boards
Grace Reid the youngest member of the Scotland team for next month's Commonwealth Games in Delhi, was inspired to take up diving after witnessing what she describes as "a huge, spinny dive off the ten-meter board." She loves diving because she says, it is "so close to flying." 19 August 2010
A Norfolk family of wild swimmers, swim the channel - and back again
17 August 2010
Wild Swimming History: Leicester
Wild Swimming History: Plymouth
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