Outdoor Swimming Society

The Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) was founded in 2006 by Kate Rew, author of Wild Swim.

As a 4,000 member-strong organisation, it is the biggest umbrella representation of wild swimmers in the UK.

The OSS is the main resource on wild swimming locations and wild swimming safety in the country. It acts as an open-to-all central resource for wild swimmers, especially those based in the UK, and aims to encourage people to rediscover the joys of swimming in open, wild water - rivers, lakes, lochs, tarns, ponds, seas.

The OSS is engaged in campaigning to keep outdoor lidos and pools open, and to keep seas and rivers clean and swimmable.

Patrons

The OSS' patrons are Olympic gold medallist Cassie Patten and the author Robert MacFarlane.

Manifesto

The Outdoor Swimming Society believes that it's time British swimmers had more fun. In the early 1900s there were river swimming clubs and lidos all over the country, but outdoor swimming died out as indoor pools came in. It supports all those keeping lidos open and lakes and rivers clean and undertakes campaigning work with this.

Swim map

The OSS website hosts one of the most comprehensive databases of wild swims in the UK, with locations and descriptions of safe wild swimming locations.

Safety

In 2009, the OSS announced that it was founding a Wild Swimmers' Code, similar in spirit to the Countryside Code, to encourage safe swimming in wild water.

Events

Outdoor Swimming Society members arrange regular meet-ups around the country, as well as a Midsummer Party and December Dip - both of which are held at Parliament Hill Lido, London. Masterclasses with swim coaches are also held round the country.

Sources

Wild Swim ISBN 978-0852650936

External links

• OSS website
• OSS facebook group
• This Is London Follow The Rules To Enjoy Wild Swimming