Summary
Whatever our swimming ambitions, we need to prioritise our health. If your health is poor, your swimming will suffer. We can’t guarantee our health, but swimming can help us increase our chances of staying healthy. Being a swimmer also motivates us to take other measures to protect our health. Don’t rule out swimming if you suffer from a long-term health condition or a disability. There may be ways you can adapt and access swimming’s health and wellbeing benefits. Swimming outdoors adds the benefits of exposure to nature but also increases the risks. You need to take steps to reduce those risks.