The Aqua Pod - Scottish Swimming Podcast · Scottish Swimming

Episode 29: Outdoor Swimming

·42 min·10 clips

Charlie opens by welcoming Colleen Blair MBE and Dr Corey Smith back onto The Aquapod. The conversation settles quickly into outdoor swimming and why it has become such a big part of people’s lives. Colleen and Corey both bring experience to the topic, and Corey says he is warming up from a river swim that morning, which gives the chat an immediate, lived-in feel. They talk about the health benefits of swimming outside. They also talk about the social side, because outdoor swimming often involves the people around you as much as the water itself. Charlie asks how the practice has grown in popularity, and the guests reflect on how much more visible it has become in recent years. That wider interest gives the episode its shape. It is about enthusiasm, but it is also about helping people approach the water in a sensible way. The discussion turns toward warmth and comfort outdoors. Practical thinking matters here, and the conversation stays grounded in that reality. Safety becomes a central thread. Colleen speaks about knowing your limits and paying attention to the people swimming with you. She also points out how easy it is for a group to keep going when someone is already getting cold. The episode makes room for smaller, more manageable swims rather than pushing for distance. There is also advice about going with local groups when you are in unfamiliar places. Corey and Colleen keep the tone open and reassuring. Charlie reflects back what they have said and gives them space to expand on it. By the end, the episode feels like a steady guide to outdoor swimming as both a personal habit and a shared community activity.

As heard by us

A calm, practical listen on outdoor swimming, with useful safety advice and a steady tone.

Charlie keeps the conversation on outdoor swimming with Colleen Blair MBE and Dr Corey Smith grounded in health, community, and plain common sense. The practical advice lands best: how to stay warm, how to stay safe, and how to know when to stop, especially in a group.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for calm, practical advice on outdoor swimming when the water is cold.

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