Nowadays, swimming competitions aren’t all about indoor pool meets. Competitive outdoor swimming has taken the country by storm over the last few years.

Open water swimming popularised after a 10 kilometre race was listed by the International Olympic   committee as one of the events for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Open Water Swimming events can take place in any outdoor water, whether that’s in the sea, rivers, canals, lakes or reservoirs. The distances that can be swum vary from location to location and you should choose the race that best suits your ability.

Swimming in open water isn’t just a sport that has developed over the last few years; it has history as far back as 36BC, when the Japanese organised the first races in open water. In Roman times, high-profile races were held in the Tiber, where thousands of people would gather in crowds along the banks to spectate. In the middle ages, Knights reputedly had to swim in full armour as one of their seven required agilities.

In 1986, FINA, swimmings world governing body, officially added open water swimming to the international competition calendar.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw the début in outdoor swimming where Great Britain won a brilliant three out of the six medals that were up for grabs. Two silvers went to Keri-Anne Payne and David Davies while a bronze went to Cassie Patten. Since the event which inspired swimmers all over the world, the uptake in Open Water Swimming has rocketed.

Outdoor Swimming Competitions in the UK have become ever so popular and more and more events are being formed across the country. The races offer competent swimmers of all abilities to compete.

To find out about all the upcoming outdoor swimming events in the UK for 2011 click here.