2012 revision. Once you have been swimming in the great outdoors and have experienced the cool refreshing waters of the British countryside you soon find returning to the indoor pool both stifling and restrictive. Guide books may now direct swimmers to popular secluded venues across the country, but as the wild swimming movement gains momentum people are beginning to question the restrictions that have been imposed on outdoor swimmers here in the U.K. This book examines the history of British Swimming, and the effect that our love affair with water has had upon our nation. Discover how the attitudes and culture of the British changed swimming from an animated, outdoor, playful activity, mostly enjoyed by working class boys, into a very competitive sport, confined predominantly to man-made pools. Discover why we British are so remarkably different to our neighbors in both Europe and America in this aspect, and discover a depth to British culture that may have hitherto escaped your... More > gaze.< Less
