The best Christmas gifts for swimmers in the UK, from swim socks to snorkels

Here’s what everyone from top-level coaches to year-round ocean-dippers told us they’d love to unwrap on Christmas Day

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Swimming is among the most popular sporting hobbies in the country, with 4.2 million people having taken a dip in the past 28 days, according to Sport England. Meanwhile, the Outdoor Swimming Society says several million people in the UK now take to rivers, lakes, lidos and seas each year. Their main motivation? Joy, with 94% saying they felt happier and less stressed after a swim.

Whatever reason the swimmer in your life is diving into the water, we’ve asked pro and amateur swim enthusiasts to help us compile a range of gifts they might love to receive this Christmas.