New Open-Water Swimming Book To Launch At Huntington Barnes & Noble

HUNTINGTON, NY — Merrick author and endurance athlete Hilary Topper has released a new book designed to help swimmers overcome their fears and make the transition from swimming pools to open water.

Topper's latest book, "Unlocking the Open Water Swim: The Beginner's Guide to Success in Open Water Events," offers safety tips, training plans and strategies for swimmers interested in tackling lakes, rivers and oceans.

The author will celebrate the release with an event at Barnes & Noble on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. A second event is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. at Barnes & Noble on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa.

Published by Meyer & Meyer Sport, the book is Topper's fifth overall and third focused on endurance sports. It follows "Unlocking the Triathlon: The Beginner's Guide to Competing in a Triathlon," released in December 2025, and "From Couch Potato to Endurance Athlete," published in 2022.

"Open water is where so many swimmers and triathletes hit a wall. They feel strong in the pool, but the moment they can't see the bottom, or there's no lane line to follow, the nerves take over," Topper said.

"I wrote 'Unlocking the Open Water Swim' to take the fear out of that first step. With the right preparation and a solid plan, anyone can learn to love open water, whether their goal is finishing an Ironman swim or simply exploring the bay."

The book covers essential safety practices, race-day preparation and how to find open-water events. It also explores the differences between adventure swimming and competitive swimming, helping readers determine which approach best suits their interests.

For those preparing for competitions, the book includes structured training plans for half and full Ironman swim distances, along with 5K and 10K marathon swims. It also features stories from swimmers who have completed challenging open-water events.

Topper brings years of coaching and endurance sports experience to the book. Her credentials include certifications as a USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach, U.S. Masters Swimming Level 3 Coach and World Open Water Swimming Association coach.

In addition to writing, Topper hosts the podcast "Hilary Topper on Air" and maintains the blog "A Triathlete's Diary," where she shares training advice and experiences from the endurance sports community.

"Unlocking the Open Water Swim" is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other booksellers.

For more information about Topper and her work, visit HilaryTopperAuthor.com.