Here we are again. The John Lewis Christmas Advert is out and that means the C word is coming soon. So we are back with some suggestions of what you might want to ask Santa for this Christmas. As usual we have tried to stick to independents where possible š Happy browsing.
As always there are plenty of other suggestions that are still available on the blogs from previous years so check them out as well.
Wild / Cold Water Swimming
Dip Advisor: For your warm drink post cold swim, Ella’s mug is perfect for whatever you have in your flask after swimming.
Swim Feral: These bags are a bit of a Mary Poppin’s invention. Note: there is a wait for these bags so Christmas delivery can’t be guaranteed.
“The only outdoor swimming bag with an integrated insulated changing mat designed to keep your gear dry and your feet clean and warm in cold conditions.”
Rip Curl: I’ll let you into a little secret, sometimes I wear a 1mm neoprene costume when swimming in cold water. Ain’t no shame in the neoprene game so here is a newer version of the one I wear:
Finisterre: If you like the look of the long sleeve costume but don’t want the neoprene then Finisterre have a lovely looking cossie.
C-Skins: C-skins always seem to come out on top when asking for gloves and socks recommendations. Neoprene gloves and socks are a great way for keeping those extremities warm and the socks are great for those trickier entry points when wild swimming.
The link below is to swim the lakes (based in Ambleside in the lake district). They have other brands stocked, which also come highly recommended.
https://www.swimthelakes.co.uk/product-category/open-water-swimming-shop/thermal-wear/gloves-socks/
Costumes
Deakin and Blue: Their stunning cross back cossie is now available in this liberty print. As with all Deakin and Blue suits they are available in a variety of cup sizes. Link below is for the hepburn size cup.
Davy J’s: Love this 2 piece, which allows you mix and match colour but achieve full coverage.
Funkita: If you have seen our instagram, you will have seen that we love to train in funkita. Their new range has some gems in it including these. We’ve linked to Mail Sports but other online shops also stock Funkita.
https://www.mailsports.co.uk/brands/funkita/kick-starter
Speedo: Katie loves a bit of purple and speedo so would look great in this.
https://www.speedo.com/uk/en/womens-placement-medalist-swimsuit-violet/812199F342.html
Stationery
Swimmer Stationery: To do list x swimming -> LOVE IT.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SwimmerStationery?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=881403313
Andrea Hall: Andrea’s goods have featured before but these notebooks were worthy of another shout out. She also has lots of other great bits and pieces so check out her main Etsy page.
Books/Magazines
Outdoor Swimmer: In times when being able to swim has been allowed, not allowed, allowed and not allowed, the best thing to help the non swimming blues is to read about it. Get a subscription for Outdoor Swimmer to get a monthly dose of swim happiness, whether you can get wet or not.
Lido book: quite frankly the cover of this book is so gorgeous that I don’t really care what is inside but I am sure it is great!
Please support your local independent book seller and buy there where possible.
Suzanna Cruickshank: Swimming Wild in the Lake District -> *double checks she has spelt Suzanna correctly š *. This book is already in my possession! A great book for anyone who loves swimming in the lakes and wants some inside information not just about the swimming but about local provisions aka pies.
Swimming Wild in the Lake District
Apparel
Dip Advisor: Ella from Dip Advisor also has these ace sweaters in her new online shop. Both designs are sure to brighten someone’s Christmas.
Flotsam Prints: Flotsam have started doing apparel via their teemill store and we think they look great.
https://flotsamprints.teemill.com/
Swim Dem Crew: these slides are perfect for ensuring your feet stay as warm as they can before slipping into icey water.
https://www.swimdemcrew.co.uk/store/slides
Batch 1: I have been lusting after these sweaters for ages. Someone buy one and let me know if they are good please!
Art
Sally Firino: The subtly of these prints is what first attracted me to it. We love a jump in!
Red Faces Prints: No surprise here but we love lidos. Red Faces prints has a selection of lido prints available that would make great presents for any lido lover.
https://redfacesprints.com/search?q=lido
Swim Sea and Stream: The online swim shop have a great selection of gifts on their site but this print particularly caught my eye.
Oldfield Design Co: This map will not only look great on the wall but also helps you keep track of when you swam at each location.
Stocking Fillers
Charlotte Emily Art: The lovely girls from the Dipping Society shared these today and thought a great last minute entry. Especially love the ones that have batoko cossies on! I would buy Katie one but she doesn’t DO Christmas trees *shock*.
https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteEmilyArt/
Lido ladies: These ladies have created a calendar and they are donating proceeds to Mind Charity. Please contact them directly through instagram for details.
South London Swimming Club: This calendar features the glorious Tooting Bec Lido and as with past year’s contains photos from members from throughout the year.
https://slsc.org.uk/slsc-calendar/
Nancy Farmer: Another cap for the Nancy collection.
RNLI: Donate and support the people that support us.
https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/donate
Luxury
Quite frankly going anywhere outside of SW London would be a luxury right now but this looks like a great trip.
https://www.thesaltsisterhood.com/cornwall-yoga-wild-swim
TEAM Mermaids 