Kuotos Swim is built on a simple belief: that swimming and open water swimming has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and improve wellbeing for people of all backgrounds.

Founded by Ian Cartwright in 2021 as a swimming school, a partnership with Whitmore Lakes has seen the business grow and support the swimming community in many ways.

Through its open water swimming programmes, events and charity swims, Kuotos Swim has created an inclusive and supportive environment where individuals can build confidence, resilience and connection.

From complete beginners to experienced triathletes, sessions are designed to be accessible, safe and welcoming—removing barriers that often prevent people from engaging in outdoor activity.

Former school teacher Ian began his business teaching children to swim in an indoor pool. A former water polo player and competitive swimmer, he transitioned to teaching outdoor swimming after losing the use of his pool during the pandemic.

He said: “A key part of our business is the swimming community that we support, who in turn support us and each other. From cold water dipping to swimming the length of Coniston our community gets stronger by the day.

“Many people join us not just to swim, but to feel part of something bigger, supporting both physical and mental health. Lifelong friendships have been born.”

In 2025 Kuotos Swim had a number of teams swimming the equivalent of the English Channel in the lake at Whitmore, raising £2,000 which was split between Mind and the RNLI. This year Kuotos is aiming for the community to swim for 24 hours whilst supporting the Alzheimer’s Society in September.

Ian said: “We are particularly proud of our work with the Men Rebuilding Men CIC support group. Through this partnership we provide opportunities for men to engage in cold water swimming and saunas as a way to support mental health, build routine and create meaningful social connections.

“These sessions offer a safe, non-judgemental space where participants can step away from daily pressures, reconnect with themselves and be supported by others who understand their journey. The impact has been profound, with participants saying that the cold water and the community make these events an integral part of their routine and supporting their mental health.

“All of our sessions are supported by qualified open water coaches with rescue and first aid training, ensuring that participants can enjoy the water with confidence. Taking a non-swimming adult to swimming in a lake or the sea with the support of the community is amazing – a feeling like no other.

“Swimming can be a lonely sport, head down looking at the black line, but through our work, particularly in the open water, we have built a community that helps and supports each other. There is also the community that we do not see, those who connect and swim once they have been on a course. As we say, swimming for all.

Kuotos Swim has entered the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.