Are you prepared to dive headfirst into the world of open-water sea swimming?
If so, imagine yourself gliding gracefully as you swim in the sea through pristine waters, surrounded by awe-inspiring beauty. Open water or sea swimming is an exhilarating and energising pursuit that allows you to forge a deep connection with the elements and push your personal boundaries. In this comprehensive guide, we will equip you with all the essential information to embark on your open water swimming adventure.
Whether you are a seasoned participant at open water or sea swimming events or simply in search of fresh challenges, this guide will provide you with all the tips you need. If you'd like to learn more about synchronised swimming, read the other article in our series.
What is Open Water Swimming?
Open water swimming includes sea swimming, but also other natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers. Swimming in open water is often perceived as slightly riskier due to the unpredictability of the landscape and its conditions.
The dangers of sea swimming can be largely mitigated by the choices you make.
Jumping into a stormy open ocean without experience or guidance, for instance, isn't advisable.
Yet, a leisurely swim in a calm local river carries minimal risks. Swimming in open water relies on informed decisions and can be as safe or daring as you make it.
If you are curious about how to swim in the sea safely so that you can take part in the growing trend for cold water swimming, you will find that open water and sea swimming have grown in popularity. This could be due to the Wim Hof trend, but the sport has seen a resurgence where many people opt for open water swimming instead of crowded public pools.
How to Start Open Water Swimming
We'll delve into these details shortly, but as a general rule, open water swimming is an inclusive activity with numerous locations available. For it to be a successful endeavour, there are specific prerequisites that must be acknowledged. One of these is weather and related conditions. For instance, water temperatures can vary widely, even in the same spot, which means that you may need a wetsuit to prevent hypothermia. Of equal importance is being aware of potential strong currents that could unexpectedly carry you away. When in doubt, it is a good idea to seek guidance from knowledgeable sources local sources.
The key takeaway here is that having good information regarding your chosen location for swimming in open water is critical.
A Beginners Guide to Swimming in Open Water
Whether you hope to take part in open water swimming events or just want confidence to enjoy a regular swim in the sea, these simple tips are for you:
Swimming Ability
Ensure you have basic swimming skills, including freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly.
In addition, make sure that you have the ability to float on your back and tread water for a few minutes. If uncertain, consult a certified lifeguard or swimming instructor for an evaluation.
Swimming Buddy
Never swim to swim in open water alone; it's essential to have a swimming companion for safety.
Besides that, swimming with friends enhances the experience, so consider finding a like-minded partner or joining a local club or event.
Appropriate Gear
In regions with cold water, like Cape Town, invest in a full or half wetsuit to keep you warm, especially for open water swimming events where you will be exposed for some time.
Being able to stay in the water, regardless of the temperature, is such a satisfying feeling that even occasional use justifies the investment.
Selecting a Venue
Identify suitable open water locations. In South Africa, access to the ocean, rivers and dams is easily available.
Again, do your research to make sure that you are familiar with the conditions and potential dangers of the area. If you are interested in sea swimming, speak to the local NSRI, surf lifesaving clubs or even surfers and other swimmers to find out about rip currents ,even marine life activity. You could also explore social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to discover nearby clubs, groups, and ideal swimming spots. If in doubt, stick to public beaches, especially those with lifesavers on duty or that are frequented by other water sports enthusiasts.
Remember that when it comes to sea swimming in particular, conditions can change very quickly. What may seem like a wonderful, calm spot one day, could be entirely different depending on the sizes of the waves, and strength of the wind, on another.
If you've checked all these boxes, then you are nearly ready to embark on the exciting adventure of swimming in open water. Even if you don't plan to make it a regular routine, open water swimming is a very rewarding experience for mind, body and soul.
Benefits of Open Water Swimming
Open water swimming may seem like just another form of swimming, but it is not the same as swimming in a pool. Besides being immersed in nature, the difference, and indeed the benefits, is far-reaching.
For both seasoned swimmers and newcomers, embracing open water swimming expands your versatility within the sport.
If you are in training for open water swimming events, gloomy, cold conditions need not interfere with your schedule because you can always head to an indoor pool where conditions are unchanging. If you are serious about open water swimming as a sport and intend to participate in events, this kind of adaptability is a valuable asset.
Whether you are already accustomed to pool swimming or aspire to dive into the world of aquatic exercise, a pool serves as an ideal training ground to hone your skills and build confidence for open water challenges. The controlled environment of a pool allows you to gradually develop the techniques and stamina required for open water swimming.
On this note, do remember that while gyms and sport centres are a good training ground for swimming, you will need to train as much as you can in dynamic swimming conditions where there is wind, swell and varying degrees of temperature. For success in open water swimming events, and to keep yourself safe any time you are swimming in open water, you will need to be familiar with the unpredictability of open water.
Another advantage to belonging to an indoor swimming club or gym is that it serves as an unexpected meeting point for fellow open water swimming enthusiasts. If you're apprehensive about venturing into open water without company, you may find kindred spirits at your local pool who can introduce you to like-minded individuals and communities eager to guide you through your journey into open water.
In essence, adding open water to your swimming career is a way to seamlessly blend two seemingly similar activities that, in fact, offer distinct differences and experiences. It grants you the flexibility to practise your hobby year-round, regardless of weather conditions. In addition, you will gain access to a thriving community of swimmers who are willing to provide support, advice, and camaraderie.
There’s no doubt, open water swimming transcends boundaries and offers a unique blend of indoor and outdoor experiences that can enrich your love for swimming in countless ways.
Dive In: Swim in the Sea, Dam or River
To safely begin open water swimming and prepare for open water events, you need to assess your swimming skills and consider pool training to build fitness, confidence and technique. Next, you need to know how to read open water conditions and do your research on the potential dangers of any open water venues which interest you.
Remember to always swim with a buddy or in a group for safety and invest in proper gear like a wetsuit, cap and quality goggles that won’t leak halfway through your event or training session.
Safety should be a top priority when venturing into open water but with proper preparation and respect for natural elements, you can enjoy the thrill of open water swimming while minimising the risks.
Thank you for exploring this brief introduction to open water swimming. We hope it has been informative and that you're now closer to embarking on your open water swimming journey.
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