Open Water Swimming Is IT!

Unless you are one of the very few lucky swimmers who own their own swimming pool, you will have been climbing the walls with the inability to get you regular fix of chlorinated water.

Whether you are a competitive swimmer missing the endless miles, lap swim for fitness, or you use the pool for a gentle paddle whilst chatting to your friends, the feeling of NOT being able to do it has been nothing short of torturous.

Open air pools and Lidos are a great destination for your swimming fix but they are far and few between and with the typical British weather, not everyone is happy to take the plunge and whilst occasionally the sun does shine, it’s not always possible to get lane lines in when the world and his wife turn up with the kids for a splash about.

What is available up and down the country for the more dedicated swimmer is open water swimming at various lakes and quarries, some privately owned and some council owned.

Swimming in the great outdoors can be a tad scary at first, the dark, cold water and the not knowing what is beneath you really tests your mettle but remember, you can always wear a wetsuit and of course you have to wear a cap.

The silicone cap not only helps protect your hair, it keeps it from knotting and, if the hair is long, it keeps it out of your face.  So much heat is lost through the head so the importance of wearing a silicone cap is all the more important as a way to help eliminate brain freeze and keep the heat within the swimmer.

Bright coloured caps are the best way to ensure the swimmer is fully visible, not only to the other swimmers, but to the many other water users and of course the life guards.  Red, Orange, Yellow and Neon Green are the safest caps to wear as the blues, black and white  caps can merge easily with the reflection on the water and make it quite difficult to spot. Safety must come first so swimming in a silicone becomes almost a life saver.

Open Water venues can be found by looking at Swimming Org