SWIMMINGLY

A hugely enjoyable love letter to swimming and open water adventures Sophie Raworth Sports and Virgin Radio Breakfast Show presenter Vassos Alexander found solace and distraction swimming in the Thames during a difficult summer and was bitten by the bug Now he can t pass a body of water without wanting to jump in Told through the story of training for a solo Channel swim Swimmingly takes you on a journey across the world from Bournemouth Beach to San Francisco Bay Vassos discovers that outdoor swimming is not about being the fastest or the best it s about finding that little bit of magic in every stroke Working with elite coaches and interviewing the great and the good of swimming he uncovers the massive sense of community at the heart of this time honoured pastime He meets Olympic champions and Channel legends including Diana Nyad who in her 60s became the first person to swim between Cuba and Florida Lewis Pugh the UN Patron of the Oceans and Lynne Cox a woman who went for a swim and saved the world It s about the everyday swims too the tips shared and friendships forged over coffee and cake after a morning dip with the Teddington Bluetits or the sea swimmers of Whitstable With the sport exploding in popularity over recent years we all kno