Open-water swimming is an all-around exercise that is great for your body and mind, giving you a good workout for your heart and general health. It is also an excellent remedy for your mental health, with many well-recognised benefits of cold water on mood and well-being. Whether you’re new to open-water swimming or an experienced swimmer, we can help you find equipment that works for you.
Having the essential gear for open-water swimming can improve your swimming experience and give you new opportunities to develop your practice. We’ll look at the kit you need and explore the best options for your lifestyle and training regime. Read on to share our top tips!
Everything You Need for Open Water Swimming
Open water swimming, as the name suggests, involves swimming in natural bodies of water, including the sea, rivers and lakes. This means that safety considerations are more extensive than those for swimming in a pool, and the essential equipment list reflects this. If you are exploring open water swimming, whether you are just beginning or intending to compete, you should never train alone and take note of water and weather conditions before you enter the water.
There are several useful pieces of equipment for open-water swimming, and these are our top five:
1. Wetsuits. If you are swimming in open water in a non-tropical location such as Ireland, you should be aware that the water can be very cold! Depending on the time of year, you may be at risk of cold water shock, which can be very dangerous. A wetsuit can help to protect the body and enable you to stay in the water for longer, and you should take your time to research the type of wetsuit you will need for your training level and the time of year you intend to swim.
We love the Orca Women’s Sonar Triathlon Wetsuit, for serious swimmers who are heading down the competition route. This is designed for hydrodynamics, with superior buoyancy and optimum body positioning. The Men’s Xcel Infiniti X2 is a great option for protection against the cold and fits like a second skin to give you a full range of motion and an unrestricted stretch without adding extra weight.
2. Goggles. When you’re swimming in open water, it’s vital that your vision is as clear as possible and that you are comfortable as you swim. Googles that are designed for comfort will enhance your swimming experience, and tinted or mirrored lenses are a great option when you’re training or racing in the sun, as these will reduce glare and vision impairment.
Speedo swim essentials are designed for quality and style, and the Speedo Fastskin Speedsocket 2 Mirror Goggles are the perfect choice for racing indoors and out. With a high arch nose bridge and hydroscopic lens shape for better clarity and peripheral vision, these are comfortable to wear and offer 100% UV protection for extra peace of mind. We also love the Arena Cobra Ultra Swipe Mirror Goggles with their highly moulded shape for expanded vision and reduced drag.
3. Swim caps. Swim caps are a must-have for open-water swimming, and this is often thought to be a choice made in order to streamline the silhouette to reduce drag in the water, especially in competitive swimming. However, the main purpose of a swim cap when you are open-water swimming is to keep you warm since it prevents heat loss through the head. It is also a good way to stay safe while you are swimming since it increases your visibility in the water.
We highly recommend the Aqua Sphere Michael Phelps X-0 Swim Cap, which is formed from two silicone layers to give excellent shaping and doesn’t completely cover the ears for improved hearing capacity. Bright colours such as pink are ideal for visibility when you are swimming in open water, and the Vorgee Super-Flex Cap in Fluro Pink is a great choice. It’s flexible and durable, made from high-grade silicone so that it gives good coverage, even for longer hair.
4. Swim float. A swim float or swim buoy is an essential accessory for open-water swimming, increasing your visibility and allowing you to take a moment to breathe if you need to. Many of the swim floats in our range include watertight pockets or dry bags incorporated into them so that you can keep your valuables safe while you swim, and you can choose the size, shape and colour that suits you best.
The Orca Safety Buoy with Pocket is the ideal size with an easy-access pocket so that you can carry your accessories with you. It also features a useful system to accommodate your hydration bladder, and the high-visibility orange colour is a good choice for sea swimming. The Swim Secure Tow Woggle is the perfect option for beginners, giving you the extra buoyancy of a swim noodle with increased visibility and easy deflation for storage.
5. Neoprene gloves and socks. If you’ve never tried wearing neoprene gloves and socks while open-water swimming, you’ll be impressed by the difference they make! Designed to minimise heat loss without compromising on mobility, you’ll find options to suit your budget and your lifestyle in our selection. Neoprene swim socks keep the feet warm by trapping a layer of water between the skin and the sock, which is then warmed by the heat of the body. You’ll find that you’ll be able to stay in the water for longer and will enjoy extra protection for your feet on the rough ground in and around open water.
We love Orca Men’s Openwater Core Gloves, which are 2mm thick, optimised for elasticity and thermal insulation for even the coldest water. Orca Hydro Booties provide maximum thermal insulation and fit snugly for extra comfort while swimming. You should wear these underneath your wetsuit for the best effect, and the separate toe with soft lining helps them to stay in place and prevents skin chafing.
Why Open Water Swimming is Good For You
Open water swimming is increasingly popular as a pastime that is excellent for both physical and mental health, and there are organisations in most local areas for those who are interested to meet up and share swimming events and social occasions. The benefits of open water swimming include:
- Physical workout. Open water swimming is often more challenging than swimming in a pool, working the arms, legs and core muscles deeply. It is a cardiovascular workout, benefiting your heart and lungs, and you will soon notice improvements in your stamina as you build up your practice. Swimming is a low-impact form of exercise so it is more gentle on the joints than other options, and the cold water means you will burn more calories than when swimming in warmer water.
- Boosting the immune system. Several studies into cold water therapy have demonstrated the benefits of cold water immersion for the immune system. Regular swimming can benefit your immunity, reducing the occurrence of winter bugs, for instance, and building resilience in the body. Cold water swimming can also boost the circulation system and help the body adapt more quickly to colder temperatures.
- Regulating natural processes in the body. Specific breathing techniques can be taught to help with open-water swimming, especially with managing the cold. This helps to regulate the breath and promote deeper breathing, as well as introducing breath practices that can be extremely helpful for relaxation and mindfulness. Cold water swimming is also said to be useful in regulating sleep patterns.
- Increasing mindfulness. Open-water swimming is a helpful way to learn how to focus on the present moment, and it is also associated with reducing anxiety or stress and lifting the mood. Exercise is well known to benefit the body by enabling the release of endorphins, also known as ‘happy hormones’, which can reduce the symptoms of depression.
- Connecting with nature. Swimming in natural bodies of water is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy being surrounded by the natural world. In itself, this promotes a healthier mind-body balance and boosts the immune system and mood.
Everything You Need for Outdoor Activities at The Edge
At The Edge, we believe that outdoor pursuits can bring us challenges and experiences that help us to grow, as well as benefit our minds and bodies. Open water swimming offers opportunities to explore stunning areas of Ireland and further afield, and we’ll be really happy to hear about your swimming plans and training journeys.
We have everything you need for open-water swimming so that you can stay safe and challenge your personal best at the same time, and we also specialise in cycling, running, surfing and triathlon. Pop in and chat with our experienced team, and we’ll help you to find your essential open-water swimming equipment, as well as bikes, running kits and surfboards. See our full catalogue on our website or call in to our store.
