Starting something new can be a daunting experience, that’s why here at Ocean Blue Swimming Tours we’ve compiled a handy guide for beginner open water swimmers.
Whatever your reasons to dip your toe into open water swimming, it always helps to be prepared. Being ready to take on this new challenge will help you to feel comfortable and all set to have an enjoyable swim. You might want to consider these five points when preparing for your first sessions in open water, to help things go a little more smoothly.
1.Find a swimming buddy For safety reasons it’s not advisable to go open water swimming by yourself. Find a swim buddy or two, or even a group and organise swim sessions together. Not only does this increase your visibility to boats and other hazards, it is infinitely more enjoyable if you share a swim. Your buddy doesn’t even need to swim if that’s not their thing, they could kayak or paddle board alongside you, just as long as they’ve got your back and you’ve got theirs! Check out your local swimmers groups on social media to find buddies or why not try an open water swimming holiday, where you’ll meet lots of like-minded people! 2.Don’t expect the same results Don’t stress out about your distance or pace compared to the pool. Your typical pool routine will be totally different compared with open water swims. Think about your first few open water swims as acclimatising yourself to a new environment and enjoy the experience! 3.Get kitted out You may want to wear a wetsuit for temperatures under 16 degrees but we suggest you try without one (obviously wear something) for a challenge, as this allows you to step outside your comfort zone and builds your self-esteem. Next up, pack your goggles, a bright swim cap and a safety buoy (ideally with a light) so that you are visible to boats and jet skis. 4.Know what you’re getting into Open water swimming does require you to think “safety first.” Get to know your swimming environment, whether you’re swimming in a lake, river or sea, be aware of the considerations you need to take on board. Useful information to know is things such as the water depth, temperature, and how busy the area is in terms of boats. It also helps to know about the types of sea life you might come across during your swim. Don’t forget to follow the local laws about when and where not to swim. 5.Plan your swim Make sure that you plan your swim as we don’t recommend just swimming until you feel tired as you have to have enough energy to swim back to the shore. To avoid this, plan your route beforehand, scan the area for buoys and other landmarks you could set as your turn-around point and consider a time restriction to your swim sessions. We suggest starting off slowly and building up your session goals when you feel comfortable doing so. So, now that you know how to start off as a beginner, all there is left is to go out there and try open water swimming. We’re biased but we think everyone should give it a go! Yours in swimming, Susan Berg
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