Latest news with #openwaterswimming
South China Morning Post
22-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Ex-Hong Kong athlete swims 360km around Swedish island as part of mental health fight
A former Hong Kong athlete, who said the city was where he 'fell in love with open-water swimming', has swum 360 kilometres around a Swedish island as part of his battle with mental health and to raise awareness of the issue and for nature conservation. Karl Palmqvist, a Swedish national who trained with the Hong Kong Sports Institute's triathlon national development squad as a teenager, completed the 21-day swim around Gotland, Sweden's largest island, on Thursday. But the mammoth achievement comes two years after he was at his 'absolute lowest' following years of injuries, an identity crisis and the constant pressure to perform. 'The way sports are nowadays, you push kids so early on that it's almost the only thing that they're banking on, or in my case, such a big part of my identity,' Palmqvist said. 'And then, when you've almost gone professional or been elite within your sport, and then it's taken away from you due to injuries or mental burnout, we're just left there floating on our own without any tools to be able to work through it. Karl Palmqvist checked himself into a psychiatric ward but has since pulled through. Photo: Anders Klapp Palmqvist moved to Shanghai when he was three years old and relocated to Hong Kong aged 10. He lived in the city for five years before returning to Sweden.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Swim sessions introduced for adults with sight loss
Sea Lanes in Brighton has introduced open water swimming sessions for visually impaired swimmers, following a successful pilot with University of Brighton researchers. The sessions, taking place at the "UK's national open water swimming centre", will run weekly from 23 July to 27 August, from 11:00 BST to midday. The pool will be closed to the public during these times to create a "calm, supportive environment" tailored to the needs of swimmers with sight loss, said the University of Brighton. While outdoor swimming is increasingly recognised for its health and wellbeing benefits, many swimming spaces remain inaccessible to people with visual impairments, the university said. The sessions will build on research led by University of Brighton PhD student Sadie Rockliffe, after an initial session was held on 11 June. The university added that the sessions were helping to make "significant steps towards making Brighton's blue spaces more welcoming for all". Sadie said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to see these dedicated sessions coming to life at Sea Lanes. "The pilot swim showed just how powerful and positive these experiences can be when access and inclusion are genuinely prioritised. "It's not just about swimming – it's about creating a welcoming, supportive space for people to connect with the water." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Adults with sight loss invited to open water swim Related internet links University of Brighton Sea Lanes Brighton
BBC News
20-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Brighton university holds swim sessions for adults with sight loss
Sea Lanes in Brighton has introduced open water swimming sessions for visually impaired swimmers, following a successful pilot with University of Brighton sessions, taking place at the "UK's national open water swimming centre", will run weekly from 23 July to 27 August, from 11:00 BST to pool will be closed to the public during these times to create a "calm, supportive environment" tailored to the needs of swimmers with sight loss, said the University of outdoor swimming is increasingly recognised for its health and wellbeing benefits, many swimming spaces remain inaccessible to people with visual impairments, the university said. The sessions will build on research led by University of Brighton PhD student Sadie Rockliffe, after an initial session was held on 11 university added that the sessions were helping to make "significant steps towards making Brighton's blue spaces more welcoming for all".Sadie said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to see these dedicated sessions coming to life at Sea Lanes. "The pilot swim showed just how powerful and positive these experiences can be when access and inclusion are genuinely prioritised. "It's not just about swimming – it's about creating a welcoming, supportive space for people to connect with the water."
CNA
20-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Singapore open water team finishes 14th, calls it "good indicator" ahead of SEA Games
Singapore's open water swimming team says the World Aquatics Championships have served as a good indicator of where it stands. The team concluded its campaign with a 14th place finish in the 4 x 1,500m relay on Sunday morning at Sentosa. It's a result the team is proud of, especially with the relative youth of the team's swimmers; Singapore finished 18th the last time it competed in the relay event, during the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest. Team Singapore is also taking part in December's Southeast Asian Games, where open water swimming will make a comeback for the first time since 2019. Nadine Yeam with more.
CNA
20-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Airport Police trialling rideable, autonomous robot at Terminal 4
Singapore's open water swimming team says the World Aquatics Championships has served as a good indicator of where it stands. The team concluded its campaign with a 14th-placed finish in the 4x1,500m relay on Sunday morning at Sentosa. It's a result the team is proud of, especially considering the relative youth of its swimmers. Singapore finished 18th the last time it competed in the relay event, during the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest. Team Singapore is also taking part in December's SEA Games, where open water swimming will make a comeback for the first time since 2019. Nadine Yeam with more.
