Open water swimming is a truly different experience to the pool, and one all swimmers should try at least once!
Without the confines of lane ropes or walls, it’s liberating, adventurous and unique.
Open water also appeals to the adrenalin-seekers. Competitive races are often frenetic and fierce, with swimmers hustling and bustling for position.
Intrigued? Read on to find out more about open water swimming.
So, what exactly is open water swimming?
A fair question! Technically speaking, open water swimming takes place anywhere that isn’t a swimming pool. This means no man-made sides and bottom, and no lane ropes or black lines to follow.
Open water venues include:
- Lakes
- Rivers
- Lochs
- Seas
- Reservoirs
Most people find the freedom and lack of chemicals so invigorating they can’t help coming out of the water feeling happy and relaxed.
However, you do have to consider there are plants, fish and other things living in the water which add to the fun!
You might also see open water swimming referred to as wild swimming or outdoor swimming.
The names are very interchangeable but to make things easy we stick to the term open water swimming.
Wild swimming also means swimming in groups or individually where there is no supervision.
This is a riskier choice for swimmers, and we recommend you never go open water swimming on your own.