Open-water swimming is much like any other sport. It will require an athlete to invest in certain equipment to make their new adventure fun, safe, and memorable.
In contrast to pool swimming, venturing into the open water will require more gear. This will come in handy for a swimmer in their transition from an indoor venue to Mother Nature’s playground. Their ever-reliable swim stuff like goggles, swim caps, and swim trunks will still have their place in the rotation, but an athlete can take it up a notch should they put forward a more serious foot when it comes to open water swimming.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐒:
Swimming stunts can still be used in open-water swimming, provided that the swimmer is comfortable wearing their Speedos for extended periods. Open-water swim races can go from your normal 45 minutes to around 4 hours, depending on the distance and the condition of the athlete.
Considering this, water temperatures can and will play a major role in the outcome of a race. Some international races require swimmers to wear wetsuits if the water reaches a certain degree. According to US Masters Swimming, swimmers are “strongly encouraged” to wear a wetsuit if the water temperature measures between 50 and 65 degrees.
This will help the athlete in terms of insulation as well as adding buoyancy and protection from the elements.
Here in the Philippines, where the water tends to be lukewarm at best, your typical swimming trunks (yes, the “brief”) and jammers are the go-to for swimmers. Trisuits are also common in races such as the SwimJunkie Challenge and, of course, triathlon.
Buying a pair of open-water goggles can be quite tricky considering that swimmers might need more than one. Glare, gloom, and murky waters will affect the outcome of the race; clear goggles will come in handy if the venue has enough shade to cover the entire course. Goggles with polarized lenses, on the other hand, will be beneficial for sunny conditions. The same can be said for mirrored goggles, as these protect the eyes from glare coming from the sun and reflection.
𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐌 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐌 𝐁𝐔𝐎𝐘𝐒 are often provided by organizers and are typically included in their swim kit. However, if a swimmer opts to train in the open water, these are a must-have.
Go for brightly colored caps and buoys to add more visibility in the open water. This is important, especially for beginners since swim buoys, also known as swim floats, also give extra buoyancy. The buoy attaches to the waist and floats behind your back and can be used to rest if needed.
A good GPS watch will prove to be invaluable if an athlete is getting serious about open-water swimming. Watches like Garmin, Samsung, Apple, Coros, and Suunto have open-water swimming and multisport options, complete with all the bells and whistles, including your distance, pace, and time. Others also come with heart rate monitoring and open-water swim metrics to take your progress to another level.
𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒
EAR PLUGS and NOSE CLIPS for added protection and comfort; ANTI-CHAFFING BALM to reduce the risk of chafing around the neck, underarms, and thighs; and MICROFIBER TOWEL for that after-race relief.
