One sound that swimmers in pools never hear is the wind blowing across open water right before you enter. It’s not overly dramatic. It’s just there, a low hiss against the surface, and it usually causes newcomers to hesitate longer than they anticipate. That reluctance is typical. It could even be helpful.
The pandemic may have contributed to the recent surge in popularity of open water swimming. People became agitated, pools closed, and those who still wanted to swim laps or something similar turned to lakes and rivers. Interestingly, the habit persisted. Long after pools have reopened, swim groups that began as pandemic workarounds continue to meet at dawn on weekends.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Activity | Open water swimming |
| Best for | Swimmers with basic pool experience seeking outdoor challenge |
| Key gear needed | Tow float, bright swim cap, wetsuit (cold water) |
| Common locations | Lakes, rivers, oceans, reservoirs |
| Main risks | Cold shock, currents, low visibility, wildlife encounters |
| Skill prerequisites | Treading water, sighting, bilateral breathing |
| Governing body (UK) | British Triathlon / Open Water Swimming |
| Ideal starting season | Late spring through early autumn |
Open water does not have walls to push off or a black line to follow like a pool does. The lifeguard does not whistle every fifteen minutes, and there is no chlorine odor. Rather, there’s murky water, perhaps a sideways-pulling current, and the slight discomfort of not being able to see your own hands below the surface. It’s possible that people are drawn to this unpredictability. Open water rarely feels like a treadmill, but swimming in a pool can.
Safety must come first before anyone enters, and not in an ambiguous, brochure-like manner. The most beneficial first step is probably to locate a local open water swimming group. These groups typically know where the algae blooms typically appear in August, which beach has a nasty rip current at low tide, and which areas of a lake have submerged hazards. It is generally discouraged to swim alone, and for good reason: mistakes are not as forgiving in open water as they are in a supervised pool.
The temperature of the water should be given more consideration than most novices do. No matter how fit a person is, cold water shock is real. Checking the temperature in advance, staying near shore for the first few swims, and limiting early sessions to five or ten minutes until the body adjusts are all sensible strategies. Wetsuits are very helpful in this situation, and a well-fitting suit as opposed to one that is borrowed or purchased online without being tried on tends to make the difference between a swim that feels bearable and one that is unpleasant.
Calculus is also altered by wind and waves. One of those little tips that seasoned swimmers use almost casually, as if it were obvious, is to swim into the wind on the way out so that you have it at your back on the way back. Until someone tells you otherwise, it isn’t. Whether a specific stretch of water is safe to swim that day depends on a number of factors, including boat traffic, sandbars, and tidal patterns. Conditions can change more quickly than the forecast indicates.
Prior to the first proper swim, it is worthwhile to develop a few physical skills. Treading water sounds simple almost too simple to discuss but it’s fundamental to remain upright and composed without becoming alarmed. It takes some getting used to the sighting technique, which involves briefly raising your head to check direction without disrupting your stroke rhythm. The majority of novices swim in slow arcs rather than straight lines after going too long without practicing. Additionally beneficial is bilateral breathing, especially when one side is impractical due to waves or sun glare.
At least initially, gear is not as important as people think. The necessities are goggles that don’t fog, a bright cap, and a tow float for visibility and emergency buoyancy. As swimmers discover what their bodies truly require rather than what a gear list suggests, everything else neoprene gloves, booties, and specialized lubricant for chafing tends to be added gradually.
The change in emotion that occurs once someone is at ease is more difficult to describe. Strangely enough, the water begins to feel less menacing and more like companionship. Longtime swimmers believe that patience is more valuable in open water swimming than speed. It’s difficult to say if that applies to all newcomers. Even from the beach, it’s worth seeing someone go from being white-knuckled at the shore to being calm and rhythmic forty minutes later.
i) https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/open-water-swimming
ii) https://www.usms.org/fitness-and-training/guides/open-water-swimming-101
iii) https://deboerswim.com/blogs/updates/strategies-for-training-and-adapting-to-cold-open-water-swimming
iv) https://blog.winandswim.nl/cold-water-shock-open-water/
v) https://www.myswimco.co.uk/blog/open-water-swimming-and-sea-swimming-tips-for-beginners/