Dive deeper into the exhilarating journey of open water swimming.
Open water swimming, a passion for the natural environment.
A bit about us
Welcome to the world of
Simply Sports, dedicated to those that love sport. As multi-sports specialists,
we aim to give you the very best products, service and value.
But above all we want you
to enjoy your sport and we will do anything we can to help you achieve your
goals.
What is open
water swimming.
Open water swimming
can be an exhilarating experience, but it does require some preparation and
awareness of some unique challenges it may present.
Open water swimming
is swimming in open outdoor bodies of water, such as oceans, lakes, rivers and bays.
It's
not just about the swimming surprisingly, it's more about cold water therapy,
and controlling your breathing and requires a particular set of skills.
Types of open water swimming.
Recreational Swimming – Enjoyed casually
for fitness and pleasure.
Competitive Racing – Includes events such
as the Olympic 10k marathon Swim, triathlons, and long-distance racing.
Endurance Swims – Challenges like
crossing the English Channel.
Adventure Swimming – Exploring unique and
sometime remote locations, combining swimming with adventure and exploration.
The Benefits.
Full body workout – Engages various
muscle group and improves cardiovascular health.
Mental health – Being in nature can
reduce stress and improve well-being.
Community – Provides opportunities to
join a swim club and take part in group events.
Some potential draw backs.
Currents & tides – Strong currents,
tides and undertows can be dangerous and challenging to navigate.
Weather conditions – Sudden changes in
weather can create hazardous swimming conditions.
Water quality – Pollution can affect
water quality; ensure you do your homework before you swim in any open body of
water.
Shall we dive a
little deeper.
It is very different to pool swimming as
there are no lanes to stick to, no chlorine and no tiled walls to mark your
boundaries.
The water feels freer and at one with
nature with deeper waters, wilder colours and some amazing views.
As there are no walls
or boundaries to push off from, it may take some getting used to.
Due to the
difference in temperature, you might find yourself swimming a little slower
than you would in a pool.
Carry a safety buoy,
a buoy can be used for visibility and a flotation device in an emergency.
Swimming in
open water for the first time?
No problem, just remember
to keep calm and try to relax and keep to a steady rhythm.
Kicking your legs
too fast could waste energy and oxygen which could give you a feeling of running
out of air, keep steady and try to flutter your legs and if wearing a wetsuit,
let it do some of the work.
Get used to the
temperature and conditions of open water. Gradually increase the duration of
your swims and swim with a buddy or a support kayak where you can, this is
crucial for safety.
Building your
stamina and refining your technique in a pool will help with your endurance and
technique.
Get to know the
area and your swimming location, understand the currants, tides and any
potential hazards.
Be prepared, expect
different colours of water and the water may change temperature as you move
through it, there could be weeds, mud or shingle underfoot and you may or may
not be able to see the bottom.
It is important to
remember to focus on a fixed point to swim towards, it can be anything from a
tree to a buoy, this could help reduce feelings of panic or disorientation.
If you swim in a straight
line, it uses less energy and look towards your chosen “sight” every 6/7
strokes. A good wetsuit will help here as the buoyancy in your legs reduces the
effect your kick may have on your direction.
Practice breathing on
both sides, if waves and wind are choppy on one side you can easily change.
Breath out under
water, as you turn your head you are ready to breathe in.
But most of all
relax and remember to keep swimming towards your “sight” point and you will
soon find your rhythm.
Hydration
& nutrition.
It may sound a
little silly but even though you are in the water, you can still get
dehydrated. Drink plenty of water or electrolytes before and after your swim.
For longer swims, like any other forms of exercise, ensure you have adequate
energy reserves. Eat a light balanced meal a couple of hours before you swim.
Get the right
swim kit to enhance your experience.
Wetsuit - Wet suits
can help to keep you warm, helps with buoyancy, flexibility, and improve your performance.
Please note though, open water wetsuits differ to triathlon wetsuits, tri wetsuits
are heavier and performance oriented while open water wetsuits are designed to
help you swim comfortably and safely.
Swim Cap - The
brighter the better and getting the right fit is important so it’s best to
check the size guides or get in touch with us for advice.
Gloves & Socks –
It is usually your hands and feet to suffer first in the cold water so make
sure you have some good fitting gloves & socks.
Base layer – Vests
and base layers add a thin layer of warmth around your core.
Goggles – Aqua
sphere provide a full range of vision and fit and believe it or not a swimming
mask can help keep you warm too.
Ear plugs – If you
are prone to ear infections a pair of Ear plugs will help.
Dryrobe or similar
to wrap up and keep you warm after.
Where we can
help:
Aquasphere wetsuits, both men’s and women’s, both full
legged and short legged.
Aquasphere goggles, including the new Defy Ultra (3
different lenses), Vista Pro and Vista
Zone 3 Gloves, socks and headband
Zoggs buoys and orange easy fit swim caps.
https://www.simplysports.co.uk/Simply-Sports-Swimwear-s/1848.htm
How wetsuits
work:
The suit traps a
thin layer of water between the neoprene and the wearer’s skin. The wearer is
always wet, but body heat warms the trapped layer which helps to keep you warm.
Will you be
giving it a go?
Open water swimming
offers a very unique and challenging way for you to engage with the natural environment
while providing a number of physical and mental health benefits.
By having a little understanding
and being prepared you can enhance your open water swimming experience, making
your own swim a rewarding adventure.
Happy and safe swimming!
Some useful
links & info:
https://www.theshac.co.uk/swim/
Introduction to Open Water:
For anyone interested in open water swimming, Aqua Sports at Mercers Lake is running a 90-minute introductory session on the 21st of July.
Run
by Adventure Swims, this course is a fantastic introduction to swimming in open
water for first timers. Guided by experienced open water swim coaches.
What's
included: change robes, tow floats, swim hats, teas & coffees.
You can find out more and book your space: Here
Open Water Lifeguard Course:
If you are more interested
in getting involved behind the scenes.
Aqua sports will
also be running a three-day Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) course from the 31st
of May to the 2nd of June.
On completion of
this course, you will be qualified for employment as a lifeguard at any UK open
water venue.
Places can be
booked: Here
https://www.standrewswatersports.co.uk/open-water-swimming
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/cross-training/a33215053/open-water-swimming/
https://www.swimthelakes.co.uk
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