During the summer of 2013 I indexed all the cold and cold water swimming How Tos for your easy perusal. This time I am indexing the HowTo articles, each again getting a brief description.

HOWTO be an open water swimmer… One of the first posts on loneswimmer.com

HOWTO: Open water swim tips for beginners open water swimmers and triathletes.

HOWTO: Lane swimming etiquette. Essential conduct for all pool swimmers.

HOWTO: Marathon and Channel Swimming Swimmer and Crew Checklist (updated for 2013). Occasionally updated check-list for swimmer and crew.

HOWTO: Generic marathon swim Observer’s Report.

Improving triathlon swimming performance – Part 1. Addressing technique problems for triathletes.

Improving triathlon swimming performance – Part 2. Continued.

HOWTO: Swimming Notation. How to read common swimming training plan notation.

Sea Lice, Seabather’s Eruption and Swimmer’s Itch. Understanding and treating the various conditions

HOWTO: “How much do I need to swim for – x – open water distance?”. Various considerations in training for swimming a range of distances.

HOWTO: Progressive Step Overload training for distance swimmers and endurance athletes.

HOWTO: Discussing Zone Training. What is heart zone training and how it applies to swimming.

HOWTO Introduction to writing a basic pool swimming set. Writing a basic pool training plan for a single day.

HOWTO: Using Tide Tables. Using both online and printed Tide Tables for tide prediction and safety.

HOWTO: Tides for Swimmers, part 1 – Theory. It’s important that swimmers understand tidal aspects fully, especially those who live in high tidal range areas like Western Europe.

HOWTO: Tides For Swimmers, Part 2 – Local Effects. When considering tides, theory and local effects are often very different.

HOWTO: Understanding Waves, for Swimmers, Part 1. Waves, i.e. breakers are a difficulty for triathletes and new swimmers. Also important for coastal safety.

HOWTO: Understanding Waves, for Swimmers, Part 2.

HOWTO: Preparing for Cold Water. Basic cold water swimming introduction.

HOWTO: Annual advice for a Christmas or New Year’s swim in cold water for the irregular open water swimmer. An annual and very popular post. Longer than the previous post above.

HOWTO apply lubrication for distance sea swimming. Not everyone naturally knows how to do this.

HOWTO: Understanding Rough Water: Force Three. Specifics of a marginal sea condition.

HOWTO understand Sea Area Forecasts / Shipping News. Weather forecasting is a useful skill for distance swimmers.

HOWTO: Beaufort Wind Scale – An essential observational skill for the OW Swimmer. Being able to read wind conditions is essential to understanding the sea and safety.

HOWTO: Studying weather online during a Force 10/11 blow. How to use online resources to track a storm and what various aspects mean.

HOWTO: Open water breathing patterns. The sea changes every day. To be an experienced sea swimmer you need to be able to adapt your breathing.

HOWTO: Swimming in rough water. Linked to the previous article.

HOWTO: Sample marathon swim feed schedule (MIMS). Feed schedules are personal, but this will give you an idea if you don’t know where to start.

HOWTO: Important factors in marathon swim feeding. Other factors outside the actual schedule for long distance feeding.

HOWTO: Introducing interval training to your swimming. Basics of swim training.

HOWTO: Understanding hypothermia in swimmers – Mild Hypothermia. Mild hypo is very common. How to recognise it (and not worry).

HOWTO: Understanding hypothermia in swimmers – Moderate & Severe Hypothermia. Moderate hypothermia is not moderate. Severe is life-threatening.

HOWTO: Diagnosing and addressing Moderate Hypothermia in swimmers. What to actually do about hypothermia.

HOWTO: Core Exercises, Part 1. Core exercise are recommended for swimmers to assist balance and strength and endurance.

HOWTO: Core Exercises, Part 2.

HOW TO: Why you SHOULD shower before you use the pool and why you SHOULDN’T pee in the pool. Things you need to know about pool hygiene.

HOWTO: One Simple Effective Core Exercise. One simple core exercise.

HOWTO: Theraband work for shoulder strengthening. Theraband work helps to prevent swimmer’s shoulder (impingement) problems.

HOWTO: Tennis Balls And Tights. A useful remediation technique for muscle knots that develop through training.

HOWTO: A simple open water swimmer’s first aid & medical kit. Be prepared, accidents happen around the sea.

HOWTO: Stretching for swimming. Help to avoid or reduce swimming injuries. Post-swim only.

HOWTO reduce a swimmer’s use of towels. Really. Not everything has to be complicated.

HOWTO make your swimsuit (swimming togs) last longer. Surprisingly, not every swimmer knows this simple tip.

HOWTO tie men’s swimming briefs. Another of the simple tips.

HOWTO get water out of your ear. A very popular search item leading into this site.

HOWTO: Jellyfish ID charts. Particularly for swimmers in Ireland and the UK.

St Patrick’s Day swimming nutrition. Not really. How to make a great Irish Coffee. How to make a great one!

HOWTO: Follow an English Channel swim online.

HOWTO: Write a basic daily swimming session.

Future How To articles will be added to this index, as I remember to so do!