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EPISODE 2— LAC DE VOUGLANS (ORGELET, FRANCE)

“The Lake With Villages Beneath It”

Welcome to MYSWIMBATICAL a slow journey through some of the most beautiful lakes in the Alpine Region of Europe.

Today I’m in eastern France, in the Jura region, standing beside a long, quiet body of water that doesn’t look dramatic at first glance — but carries deep memory beneath its surface. This is Lac de Vouglans. A lake that didn’t exist a century ago. A lake formed by human decision, and slowly softened by nature.

This is a place where forests meet water in long, folded arms, and where the surface hides entire lost landscapes.

History & Hidden Stories, Nature & Geography, and what its like to swim in a Lake that was created in the 1960s when the Ain River was dammed to generate hydroelectric power. As the water rose, villages were evacuated, homes dismantled, and churches abandoned. Fields disappeared. Roads ended abruptly in water. Locals still tell stories of church steeples appearing in drought years, like the lake itself remembering what was here before.

If you enjoy quiet adventure, open water, creative projects, or simply watching someone enjoying life one lake at a time, you’re very welcome to follow along.

This is MYSWIM.
And This is the My SWIMBATICAL.
Let’s see where it goes.

o Website: www.MYSWIM.uk

o Podcast: MYSWIM

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An introduction to the Alpine Lakes SWIMBATICAL

What is it? , where is it? And why now?

I’ve always been someone who follows my curiosity — sometimes on impulse, sometimes with a spreadsheet, and occasionally with a level of planning that makes my family nervous. That mix has taken me to some odd places over the years: running across deserts, cycling across countries, and swimming through channels, lakes, and straits that most people sensibly admire from dry land.

I never set out to “collect” challenges. They just kept appearing — the English Channel, Lake Zurich, the Strait of Gibraltar, Catalina, Manhattan Island, Lake Constance, the Sea of Galilee, Bonifacio, Windermere, and a long list of swims that started with “it might be fun if…” and ended with “well, that was bigger than expected.”

But lately, I’ve felt a different pull. Not towards something harder — just something… deeper. Slower. More creative. More curious.

So I’m taking a break from the desk and heading off on a SWIMBATICAL — a season of lakes, travel, sketching, filming, swimming, and seeing what happens when I stop rushing from one big thing to the next.

It’s not a race.

It’s not a record attempt.

It’s just me, wandering around Europe with goggles, a notebook, and a slightly over‑packed vW camper for a season of lakes, creativity, and intentional adventure.

Travel, swim, sketch, film, write.

If you enjoy quiet adventure, open water, creative projects, or simply watching someone enjoying life one lake at a time, you’re very welcome to follow along.

This is MYSWIM.

And This is the My SWIMBATICAL.

Let’s see where it goes.

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Welcome back to the MYSWIM podcast and Today we’re heading east to Japan ;a country where water isn’t just part of the landscape, it’s part of the culture, the rituals, the food, the cities, and the spirit of everyday life. We explore ocean 7 beast that is the Tsugaru.

I have just returned from a journey through Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, and the mountains and lakes in between and everywhere we went, water shaped the experience. From ancient onsens to urban rivers, from mountain lakes to coastal breezes, Japan is a swimmer’s dream in ways you don’t expect.”so let’s explore it. Welcome to the my swim podcast

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Welcome back to the MYSWIM Podcast, where we explore the world of swimming through culture, history, adventure, and the people who make the water feel like home.
I’m your host, Michael Helps , and today we’re heading to a place where swimming is more than a sport — it’s a way of life.

Iceland- A land of fire, ice, geothermal magic and some of the most passionate swimmers you’ll ever meet.

Today we’ll dive into Iceland’s swimming history, its cold‑water culture, the best places to plunge, and what you need to know before you brave the North Atlantic.
We’ll also explore the relaxing beauty of the Blue Lagoon as well as the incredible network of swimming pools found in nearly every Icelandic town.

So grab something warm to drink, settle in, and let’s dive in.

Welcome to Iceland & welcome to the MYSWIM podcast.
Content Includes:

• A BRIEF HISTORY OF SWIMMING IN ICELAND
• SWIMMING POOLS: THE HEART OF ICELANDIC COMMUNITIES
• THE RISE OF COLD‑WATER SWIMMING
• so WHY resurgence of COLD WATER dipping ? What are the THE BENEFITS
• HOW TO PREPARE FOR A COLD PLUNGE IN ICELAND
• TYPES OF ICELANDIC COLD‑WATER SWIMMERS
• THE BLUE LAGOON
• THE BEST OPEN‑WATER SWIM SPOTS NEAR REYKJAVÍK
  • Hvammsvík Hot Springs
  • Hoppland Akranes
  • Nauthólsvík
  • Lake Elliðavatn
  • Silfra

Thanks for joining me on this journey. If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend, leave a review, and stay tuned for more stories from the world of swimming.

Until next time — stay warm, stay curious, and keep swimming.

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This is a bonus episode in the Africa series and is my personal account of swimming one of the worlds greatest swim adventures.

In this episode I go through the What, Who, When and How for my Lake Malawi swim attempt.

My training time was split between lido, lakes and my normal 3 times per week masters sessions as well as gym work (mainly on shoulders and core). My typical training diary, weekly and monthly training mileage are in the show notes looked something like this:

Typical Weekly Training Plan:

· Monday – Rest or Gym (1hr to 1.5hrs)

· Tuesday – Masters swimming club (approx. 3k)

· Wednesday – Rest or Gym (1hr to 1.5hrs)

· Thursday - Masters swimming club (approx. 3k)

· Friday – Lido (between 5k to 10k)

· Saturday – Lake swim (6k to 10k)

· Sunday - Lake swim (6k to 10k) or Masters swimming club (approx. 3k)

Average monthly /weekly SWIM totals:

| Monthly Totals | Ave.Weekly Totals
| January | 18,225m | 4,556m
| February | 5,500m | 1,375m
| March | 20,125m | 5,031m
| April | 16,400m | 4,100m
| May | 61,325m | 15,331m
| June | 85,860m | 21,465m
| July | 61,147m | 15,287m
| August | 73,969m | 18,492m
| September | 52,516m | 13,129m
| October (up to swim) | 8,350m | 2,088m

To find out more above the African swims and particularly Lake Malawi contact Open Water Africa please follow website www.openwater.africa and visit www.MYSWIM.uk for links to the other African swims in the series as well as information about many other of aquatic adventures.

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This is the fourth of a four part podcast Africa series with Open Water Africa founder Howard James.
In this episode we find out the details of the incredible and exciting swim across Lake Malawi in the heart of Africa .We find out why this swim is so special , the logistical challenges and explore what it takes to successfully achieve the swim and discuss unique wildlife in the area.
To find out more above the African swims and particularly Lake Malawi contact Open Water Africa please follow website www.openwater.africa and visit www.MYSWIM.uk for links to the other African swims in the series.

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This is the third of a four part podcast Africa series with Open Water Africa founder Howard James.
In this episode we find out the details of the intriguing swim across False Bay in South Africa .We explore what it takes to successfully achieve the swim and discuss its infamous wildlife.
To find out more above the African swims and contact Open Water Africa please follow website www.openwater.africa

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This is the second of a four part podcast Africa series with Open Water Africa founder Howard James. In this series we together we explore major swims in Africa including Robben Island, False Bay and the incredible Lake Malawi.

In this episode we find out the details of various swims associated around Robben Island in South Africa and explore what it takes to successfully achieve the challenges.

To find out more above the African swims and contact Open Water Africa please follow website www.openwater.africa and go to www.MYSWIM.uk for links to all podcasts and youtube interviews.