HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR EQUIPMENT FOR SWIMMING IN OPEN WATER

If you are new to the world of open water swimming, it is quite normal to have doubts and questions, particularly regarding the equipment to get, the type of wetsuit to use, the thickness of the neoprene, the accessories, etc.

Obviously, there are several possible answers to each question, because all swimmers are different and have specific needs, particularly depending on their experience and their goals.

So, an experienced swimmer who has been training in the sea for years and knows the area by heart will not need the same equipment as a beginner in the discipline. The context also differs if we swim in winter or summer, if we plan to participate in a swimming or triathlon competition, or if our goal is simply to swim for fun.

THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN WATER EXPERIENCE IN CHOOSING EQUIPMENT

Apart from the essential swimming cap and goggles (preferably polarized to avoid the visual discomfort caused by the sun), if you have little or no experience in the sea, you will look above all for safety and comfort. Beginner swimmers will want to be comfortable and reassured, to start without worrying about the cold or the difficulties that their new equipment could cause. Thus, a wetsuit that has great flexibility, neutral buoyancy and also offers adequate thermal insulation will be ideal for embarking on this new adventure in open water.

When it comes to safety, visibility is obviously a must. Being visible at sea is a fundamental aspect, especially if you have little experience in open water or you don't know the area where you are going to swim. Wearing items such as a high visibility cap (neoprene or silicone depending on the water temperature), a buoy or a wetsuit with orange sleeves will provide us with extra security for our training sessions and avoid scaring other swimmers, surfers or boats.

The buoy, in addition to providing great visibility, is an essential element that the swimmer must always wear in open water. Not only is it a basic safety accessory, but it also provides additional buoyancy to take a break to regain strength, and helps to carry personal belongings in a safe, practical and waterproof manner.

DIFFERENT MATERIALS FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES

Regardless of our level of experience in open water swimming, the materials and accessories needed will vary depending on the goals we set for ourselves.

For example, if you want to try swimming in cold water, you will naturally consider using a wetsuit that offers superior thermal insulation to avoid the infiltration of cold water as much as possible. In the same vein, you will also have to take into account neoprene accessories such as neoprene caps or hoods, booties or gloves, which offer maximum retention of body heat to resist low temperatures for longer.

If, on the other hand, you want to swim in warmer waters, while maintaining buoyancy and great freedom of movement, you will look for a sleeveless wetsuit, for example, or you may opt for a two-piece wetsuit that you can wear alternately depending on the context.

If we are aiming for competition, the needs will not be the same if it is a triathlon or long-distance swimming. In the case of a triathlon, for example, we will not only focus on flexibility and buoyancy (depending on our level) but we will also look for a wetsuit that is particularly easy to put on and take off, to allow us to make the transitions as quickly as possible. On the other hand, if we are preparing for a crossing involving long hours in the water, we will have to focus on thermal insulation so as not to be bothered by the cold.

There are many options and variations available to us, but each swimmer knows better than anyone what suits them best when it comes to choosing their own equipment for open water swimming. So, as we have indicated, we must first take into account our experience and our objectives and then choose the elements that best suit our needs and the use we wish to make of them.