Open water swimming can be a fun and unique way to exercise, but without the right equipment, you’ll have to spend your time shivering in the water instead of enjoying the feeling of gliding through it. If you want to give open water swimming a try but don’t know how to do it safely, investing in a thermal wetsuit will provide you with the insulation and warmth you need to stay comfortable in cold water conditions. Read on to learn more about thermal wetsuits and how they can help you enjoy open water swimming this summer!
Get Your Own Swimming Gear
If you’re new to open water swimming, you’ll want some basic gear. Start by getting an appropriately sized thermal wetsuit and swim cap. A good thermal wetsuit will help keep your body warm in cool conditions and is essential for safely open water swimming in colder months or if you plan on doing early morning or late night swims.
Choose the Right Conditions
The water needs to be warm enough and not icy. Icy conditions can make it hard for swimmers to move around safely, and even harder for them if they are trying to swim in wetsuits or other cold-water gear.
Know Your Limits
The biggest danger of swimming in open water is hypothermia or low body temperature. The warmer your body, the slower you’ll lose heat, so it’s important that you start off slowly and build up endurance.
Keep Warm
It can be difficult to stay warm while swimming in cold water. If you plan on open water swimming, it’s recommended that you purchase a thermal wetsuit that will keep your body temperature at an optimal level. This will prevent hypothermia, which is especially dangerous when you’re in open water. Wearing gloves and booties can also help keep your hands and feet warm while you’re swimming through colder waters.
Learn to Recognize Dangers
One of the biggest dangers in open water swimming is that it can be easy to get so engrossed in your workout or training session that you lose track of where you are. This leads to getting lost or caught out by bad weather, which can be extremely dangerous. To stay safe, make sure you take regular breaks from swimming and learn how to read changes in tide levels and currents before getting back into your pool. Never swim alone, and always bring someone who knows first aid along with on your swims if possible.
Tell Someone Where You’re Going
It’s a good idea to let someone know where you are going, especially if you’re going somewhere remote or unfamiliar. If something happens while you are swimming and no one knows where you are, your chances of being found dramatically decrease. So make sure you tell a family member, friend or someone else reliable where you are going, what time you will be back, and how they can contact you if there is an emergency.
Take a phone with you
Your experience won’t be much fun if you get lost and aren’t able to call for help. If you do plan on swimming while in open water areas, bring a backup communication device along with you.
