Researching at sea: Exploring the 'swim-along' interview method

Abstract

Interest in researching embodied experiences of activity connected to therapeutic landscapes, spaces or places has led to a range of evolving methods that aim to move beyond traditional sit-down, talk-based qualitative modes of researching. Following the sensory turn, this paper explores a novel 'swim-along' method used to interview people whilst swimming immersed in sea water. By juxtaposing this with insights gleaned from a subsequent sit-down interview, the paper examines implications for deepening our understanding of visceral, sensory, embodied experiences, the methods we can use to access them and how these structure researcher/participant interaction.

Keywords: Blue space; Embodiment; Mobile methods; Open water swimming; Phenomenology.