‘It’s simply not human!’ a passenger proclaims loudly, aghast as to what she is witnessing.

Ryan Stramrood stands at the top of the gangway stairs that are lowered down the side of an ocean liner in one of the coldest, most hostile places on Earth – Antarctica. He wears only a small Speedo costume, goggles and a swim cap. Over a hundred passengers, wearing thick layers of insulation to protect from the bitter cold, are leaning over the ship’s railing on the upper decks, cheering and desperate to get a glimpse, in morbid fascination, of what is about to happen. What Ryan is about to attempt could potentially push boundaries beyond what humans can survive.

The water temperature a deadly -1° Celsius; the distance to swim an impossible one mile.

Only a few years earlier, Ryan was a self-proclaimed couch potato. A 30-year-old salesman and father, navigating life quite successfully, albeit neatly confined in his comfort zone. Today he is a multiple Guinness World Record holder, rated globally as one of the top 50 extreme swimming athletes in the world, and a sought-after international inspirational speaker.

This fascinating story tells the incredible tales of Ryan’s journey and spirit. The inspiration and learnings each and every one of us will take from this highly relatable book are simply invaluable. We can all learn to Push Past Impossible™.

"My name is Samantha and I’m an alcoholic. At the time of writing, I’ve been sober for 13 years, 11 months and 16 days. And yes I still count. I promised I would never speak about it publicly until my children understood what that meant, that mommy was an alcoholic. I think they may have understood long before I did."

From Whiskey To Water is the no-holds-barred memoir by one of South Africa’s most loved radio talk show hosts, Sam Cowen. Having kept her alcohol addiction well away from the public eye for over 14 years, in this tell-all tale, Sam finds the courage to talk about her struggle with her addiction to whiskey, food and finally to a passion that saved her life – marathon swimming. Told in her characteristically hilarious dead-pan style, this is one of the bravest books you’ll read this year.

"So this is a book on how I stopped drinking? No, it’s not. It’s how I stopped drinking, started eating, became clinically severely obese, stopped eating (everything that wasn’t nailed down) and swam my way to freedom. No, it’s not. It’s actually about addiction and learning and sadness and anxiety and love and drive. It’s about channelling the unchangeable into the miraculous. It’s about dragons and learning how to put them to sleep when you can’t slay them. It’s about being my own Daenarys."

Dave's autobiography tells how, from simple beginnings, he manages to serve an apprenticeship in engineering, before deciding it wasn't for him and embarking on an adventure underwater. Firstly, with a bunch of friends salvaging scrap metal from shipwrecks, before blagging his way into the world of offshore oilfield deep diving. It was intended to be a short-term thing to make the deposit on a house and turned into 40 years in the industry, culminating in becoming the offshore manager of some major oilfield construction projects around the world. Dave takes us through his life's journey, near-death experience and involvement with several major incidents. He explains how it feels to live part of your life in the claustrophobic environment of a saturation diver, and reflects on some of the politics and events that occurred in this unique industry. He reflects on life's lessons as they presented themselves. The book is interspersed with anecdotes and amusing tales of and from the people he met along the way, characters, who come alive with their witty asides and darkly comic humour. Away from work, Dave and his wife, Marion, travel the world together, and their travels are heady and packed with adventure, as they ski, kayak and dive in idyllic locations. Whether bungee jumping in New Zealand or cycling across Central America, Dave and Marion are never afraid to take on a challenge.

Dave's autobiography tells how, from simple beginnings, he manages to serve an apprenticeship in engineering, before deciding it wasn't for him and embarking on an adventure underwater. Firstly, with a bunch of friends salvaging scrap metal from shipwrecks, before blagging his way into the world of offshore oilfield deep diving. It was intended to be a short-term thing to make the deposit on a house and turned into 40 years in the industry, culminating in becoming the offshore manager of some major oilfield construction projects around the world. Dave takes us through his life's journey, near-death experience and involvement with several major incidents. He explains how it feels to live part of your life in the claustrophobic environment of a saturation diver, and reflects on some of the politics and events that occurred in this unique industry. He reflects on life's lessons as they presented themselves. The book is interspersed with anecdotes and amusing tales of and from the people he met along the way, characters, who come alive with their witty asides and darkly comic humour. Away from work, Dave and his wife, Marion, travel the world together, and their travels are heady and packed with adventure, as they ski, kayak and dive in idyllic locations. Whether bungee jumping in New Zealand or cycling across Central America, Dave and Marion are never afraid to take on a challenge.

Bestselling author and award-winning adventurer Ross Edgley has been studying the art of resilience for years, applying all he has learned to become the first person in history to swim around Great Britain, breaking multiple world records. Now Ross focuses on mental strength, stoicism and the training needed to create an unbreakable body.

Ross Edgley famously ran a marathon pulling a 1.4-tonne car and climbed a rope the height of Everest (8,848m), after living with Yamabushi warrior monks in Japan and partaking in Shamanic pain rituals with fire ants in the Amazon jungle. On his epic 1,780-mile journey around Great Britain, which lasted 157 days, Ross swam through giant jellyfish, arctic storms, ‘haunted’ whirlpools and polluted shipping lanes, going so hard, and so fast, his tongue fell apart.

Ross’s previous book, The World’s Fittest Book, was a Sunday Times bestseller and explored the science of physical fitness. Now, in The Art of Resilience, Ross uses his swim experience and other amazing endurance feats, where he managed to overcome seemingly insurmountable pain, hardship and adversity, to study the performance of extreme athletes, military and fitness specialists and psychologists to uncover the secrets of mental fitness and explore the concept of resilience, persistence, valour and a disciplined mindset in overcoming adversity. This ground-breaking book represents a paradigm shift in what we thought the human body and mind were capable of and will give you a blueprint to become a tougher, more resilient and ultimately better human – whatever the challenge you face.

After four attempts, sixty-four year-old Diana Nyad finally swam from Cuba to the Florida Keys. She swam for fifty-three hours, across one hundred and ten miles. Find a Way is her account of the epic quest which led to that moment – and a galvanizing call to live life boldly, in the moment and with no regrets. In the 1970s, Diana Nyad was widely regarded as the greatest long-distance swimmer in the world. She record after world record, circling Manhattan Island and crossing the 102.5 miles between the Bahamas and Florida. But one record continually eluded her: becoming the first woman to swim between Cuba and the Florida Keys without a shark cage. Finally, in September 2013, Diana completed the crossing. Millions of people watched, cried and cheered for her tenacity and courage. Find a Way recounts this astonishing and hard-won triumph – and Diana's monumental courage in the face of failure. She failed, failed and failed again, but never gave up. With unwavering belief in the face of overwhelming odds, this is a story of perseverance, tenacity and commitment on an epic scale. Cross Sports International Autobiography of the Year 'When you're facing big challenges in your life, you can think about Diana Nyad . . . and nearly anything else seems doable in comparison' – Hillary Clinton

Sad people who sit in front of a television set wishing they could get some adventure in their lives should take note of the contents of this small tome as it proves beyond doubt that even in the prime of life the rush of adrenaline can still be achieved. This is the second volume of factual events undertaken by a group of people who should have the wisdom of age but choose to ignore it.

  A magical, wondrous novel by the author of The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy – about a boy who longs to swim, and a town with a mysterious past ... 'A hilarious and warm-hearted mystery set in a secretive seaside town, Son of the Sea had me hooked!' JENNIFER BELL, AUTHOR OF LEGENDARIUM 'A splashing success, frothing with adventure. This beautiful book is a witty, warm-hearted, web-toed delight.' SAM SEDGMAN, AUTHOR OF THE ADVENTURES ON TRAINS SERIES HIS FEET WERE THE FIRST CLUE ... Casper dreams of swimming the Channel. Surely, he was born to use his webbed toes ... Instead, he's strictly forbidden to go near water. When his parents have an unlucky accident, Casper is sent to stay with a grandmother he's never met - where he discovers his special tie to the sea ... From the acclaimed author of The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy – winner of the Times/Chicken House Competition Chairman's Choice Award Packed full of magical realism, humour, LGBTQ+ representation and a message of acceptance  Perfect for readers aged 9 and up  

Transform your technique in the water and become a better swimmer with this remarkable new approach to freestyle swimming, suitable for all levels - beginner, intermediate and advanced, as well as swimming coaches.

Aimed at both fitness and competitive swimmers, it explains what makes a successful stroke and how to develop your own swimming style. The Swim Smooth approach, developed by consultants to the gold medal winning British Triathlon team, helps you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your stroke and provides drill and training tips to make the most of your time in the water. It accepts differences in individual swimmers and shows you how to understand the fundamentals of swimming to find a style that works for you. Technique, fitness training, racing skills and open water swimming are all covered, with photographs and 3D graphics helping you to put theory into practice.

Swim efficiently. Swim fast. Swim Smooth.

Extreme Lakeland by Nadir Khan and Tom McNally is a stunning photographic celebration of all that makes the Lake District a magnet for those with a heart for adventure and who want to immerse themselves in the beauty of the hills and mountains of this jewel in the English landscape. From the crags of the high fells to the lakes and tarns for which the Lakes is famous, Nadir and Tom showcase incredible adventure sports through the seasons, including rock climbing, mountain biking, fell running, wild swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, base jumping and ski touring. Alongside a foreword by renowned rock climber Leo Houlding, and original illustrations by Anna Sharpe, there are inspirational literary contributions from wild swimmer Gilly McArthur, fell runner Ellis Bland, climbers Anna Taylor and Peter Goulding, and adventurer Jon Sparks. Extreme Lakeland is a visual feast for those that treasure the Lake District.

The Outdoor Swimming Guide features over 400 great places to swim outside in Great Britain. Edited by Kathy Rogers, and covering England, Scotland and Wales, it includes lidos, rivers, lakes and other stretches of water specifically designated for open water swimming. It's the perfect guide for the travelling swimmer and an essential companion when heading on holiday with the family or children. Discover previously unknown local swimming spots, plan fun days out for all the family, and travel to unfamiliar areas around the country with quality outdoor and wild swimming. Presented in an easy-to-use format and packed with useful information in seven regional sections, it includes descriptions of swimming venues in every part of Great Britain. Alongside an overview of each open air swimming spot, there's practical information on what to expect, such as facilities and access, as well as safety information - and it's illustrated with inspirational photography. From novice swimmers looking to dip their toes in the water for the first time, to parents planning safe swims with children, and experienced swimmers looking for somewhere new, don't leave home without The Outdoor Swimming Guide.

"Mind Training For Swimmers" is truly everything you ever could want to know about positive thinking and how to improve your swim or sport performance. Written by Craig Townsend, Australia's Swim Guru, it is filled with examples and teaching points that are sound, thorough, and based upon solid scientific thinking. The author is the Director of It's Mind over Matter in Sydney, Australia; and he has worked in the area of mental training for swimming, sports and personal development for over fifteen years He possesses a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis, and for over twenty years he has researched and experimented with various methods of tapping the potential of the human mind. His program has received world recognition, and has now been put into book form. Bellissima Publishing, LLC is proud to have Craig Townsend among its writers. This is a must read book that should be required reading for every swim coach and swimmer It is a book that can help anyone move towards positive thinking and self-recognition.

The Monocle team dips its toe into the world of swimming, revealing 100 beautiful and inspiring places to take the plunge. Swimming is excellent exercise of course, but it’s so much more than that: it can be a transcendental experience, offering us space to reflect and to escape. It’s an antidote to screens and all-encompassing technology. Perhaps it’s the shedding of inhibitions that come with a dip, or could it be that getting somewhere under our own steam is an act that’s health-giving, refreshing and life-affirming? Whatever it means to you, swimming – alone or with others, badly or brilliantly – is about being in the moment. This new book celebrates bathing in glorious full-colour photography, revealing the editors’ chosen spots from inner-city architectural wonders to lakes, beach clubs and bagni. So whether you’re looking to do laps in Italy, tread water in Australia, sink into the icy depths in Iceland – or perhaps just sit on the side and let others do the hard work – this guide includes a setting for everyone. Dive right in.