Waterlog

In the opinion of many water-lovers, Roger Deakins basically invented the swim memoir or “swimoir.” In the nineties, he set out on a year-long journey through the waterways of Britain, on a quest to experience life in what he called a “feral state.” His primary drive is to get into the water, to fully experience it rather than conquer it, to become part of the water and vice versa. His specialty is distance, rather than speed. Competitive swimmers keep their heads down to maximize speed, but not Deakins. His head is up, looking at his surroundings and the abundant wildlife… show more.

Waterlog isn’t strictly speaking just about rivers but about all kinds of open water, from streams and lochs to lidos and oceans. In it, Roger Deakin sets out to explore Britain at water level swimming his way through countless towns and natural spaces, dodging coastguards and water bailiffs, motorboats storms, and whirlpools. Again, there’s plenty of adventure involved but it’s also a thoughtful, elegiac work; blending autobiography, cultural history, travelogue, and nature writing. It’s impossible to read without wanting to go and get wet somewhere.