The Joy of Swimming

In this enchanting volume, beloved artist Lisa Congdon invites readers to take a delightful dip into the joy of swimming. Every page is filled with beautiful and thoughtful celebrations of getting in the water, and what makes it so cherished, meditative, and energizing: from watercolor portraits paired with personal stories of how swimming has affected real people’s lives, to illustrated inspirational quotes, to collections of vintage ephemera and objects—colorful swim caps, bathing suits through the ages, traditional pool signs, and more—all interspersed with the inviting, clear blue waters of oceans, lakes, and swimming pools. A preface from record-breaking long-distance swimmer and bestselling author Lynne Cox offers an appreciation of Congdon’s artwork from a swimmer’s point of view. With an emphasis on swimming as a way of life—diving in, going with the flow—this beautiful volume will speak to serious swimmers, vacation paddlers, and anyone pondering the high dive.

“"This jam-packed paperback, as beautiful as it is informative, deserves a spot on every swimming lover's coffee table. Congdon's wild water colors splash across cheery illustrated spreads accentuated by hand-detailed literary quotes about water.... One can't help but feel revitalized after being immersed in Lisa Congdon's Joy." -- Swimming World -- -”

"A loving homage to aquatic bliss." --Brain Pickings
"For a summer read that goes down like a cool drink of H2O, thumb through The Joy of Swimming by Lisa Congdon. Congdon's pretty illustrations (watercolors, no less) bring to life vignettes of everyday swimmers, the science of swimming, a visual history of women's swimsuits, fun facts about freestyle, and more. You'll be inspired not only to page-turn poolside, but also to dive right in." --Shape
"It's hard not to smile when flipping through The Joy of Swimming. The bright, cheerful colors and playful illustrations in this slim softcover book capture the feeling of splashing in the pool on a sunny summer's day." --Swimmer Magazine
"This jam-packed paperback, as beautiful as it is informative, deserves a spot on every swimming lover's coffee table. Congdon's wild water colors splash across cheery illustrated spreads accentuated by hand-detailed literary quotes about water.... One can't help but feel revitalized after being immersed in Lisa Congdon's Joy." --Swimming World

Lynne Cox has broken record after record in long-distance swimming. As a teenager she twice crossed the English Channel in record time, and in 1987 she caught the world’s attention for her swim across the Bering Strait—a more-than-two-hour-long journey through freezing waters. She has relayed her inspiring stories in several books, among them the New York Times bestsellers Swimming to Antarctica and Grayson.

Lisa Congdon’s varied art practice includes hand lettering, painting, drawing, and pattern design. A lifelong competitive swimmer, she has found a unique connection between art making and swimming in her daily life. Her other books include Whatever You Are, Be a Good One, Art, Inc., and Fortune Favors the Brave. She lives in Portland, Oregon. 

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