On a recent trip to London, my head was spinning at the rate of development in the Nine Elms area as I remembered it being a bit of a wasteland on my last visit. Seeing rows of gleaming tower blocks made me feel like a ‘country bumpkin’ lost in the big city. I was then…
Tag: Swimming
Swimming Inequality
I was struck by the photo of the goggles in the dirt held together with rubber bands and string. It suggests a determination to swim no matter what. The photo is from the Dollar Street website which is a collection of images from around the world largely of families and individuals with their material items…
Chats with swimmers extraordinaire
In a new feature, I’ll be chatting to swimmers who have a unique perspective and commitment to swimming. The first on the website is with Kate Gillwood who not only writes beautifully about her aquatic adventures, but who is also a swimming inspiration. These chats can be found on the ‘Chats, Stories and Memories’ page…
Cultural Appropriation and Body Image
This image is from a recent exhibition from the Tropenmuseum Amsterdam which was part of a display engaging with cultural appropriation. In this example the geometric shapes of the tattooes have a link with the Marquesas Islands and their use of these patterns for objects such as war clubs. Wearing these types of tattoos without…
Winter Water Swimming
The tradition of swimmers dressed in a wide spectrum of regalia from Santa suits to nun habits wading into cold oceans, lakes and rivers shows no sign of abating here in the UK. In my hometown of Otley, West Yorkshire, the local newspaper (see link) estimated that nearly 100 swimmers, including me, braved the waters…
If you’re ever in Valencia….
On a recent visit to Valencia, I was excited to find that it had just opened an ‘ocean pool’ near the marina not far from the city centre (see link below). It even had a lane or two for those who wanted to get their laps in. When I pitched up to find out more…
An Anthropology of Swimming 