GEAR
ALL THE BEST EQUIPMENT FOR A BETTER SWIM
COLD WATER KIT
THE
Are you planning on swimming anywhere cold? If so, you’ll need some of these gadgets and gizmos – chosen by the experts – to keep you warm and help you dry off aſt erwards…
We didn’t have much of a summer in the UK and now winter is approaching again. No, it doesn't seem fair, but we're going to have to deal with it. This means go back to the pool or man up and face the challenge of winter swimming with proper preparations. So, with some help from our friends at the Outdoor Swimming Society, we’ve compiled this list of items that might go some way to staving off the chill of an icy dip. Just a gentle warning though: cold is your biggest enemy when swimming in lakes and rivers – and even lidos – during the winter months. Even if you do have all the items on this list, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be protected from hypothermia or frostbite. Acclimatise carefully and don’t take any unnecessary risks. Good luck!
SNUGG WINTER SWIMMING WETSUIT The Slipstream Odyssey model retails for £439 See
snuggwetsuits.co.uk for more information Cornwall-based wetsuit manufacturer Snugg make a winter swimming wetsuit lined with hollow-fi bre fl eece for extra warmth. These suits are customised to individuals’ size and body shape – but bear in mind extra warmth means extra buoyancy, which may not be to all tastes.
OUTDOOR SWIMMING
SOCIETY HOODIE £32 from
outdoorswimmingsociety.com Who says that you can’t combine comfort and style? Featuring the distinctive OSS vintage let ering, these hoodies come in diesel blue, red and other colours – slip one on aſt er a cold swim and you’ll look and feel great.
“Snugg are highly-skilled craſt smen in the winter-wetsuit world. They made me a suit that fi ts perfectly and is designed specifi cally for my swimming style. It's extremely comfortable, toasty warm, and has proved tough and durable. If you need a specifi c wetsuit made to high standards, choose Snugg.” Tim Bond, OSS Oxon
NORTH FACE NUPTSE BOOTIES Available in men’s and women’s models,
uk.thenorthface.com for £65 Warm and luxurious: “I bought these several years ago and they're brilliant for warming up your feet quicker than just socks and shoes.’ Sarah Tunnicliff e, OSS Lakes and Yorkshire
“I have a Speedo mask, but Zoggs and Aquasphere do good models too.” Sefryn Penrose, OSS Oxon
Words © Jonathan Knot
SPEEDO RIFT PRO
MIRROR MASK £18 from
store.speedo.co.uk Bigger than normal goggles, the seal on this mask covers the eyebrows, helping to prevent head freeze.
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