interview:swimming
For example, for triathletes, speed through the water is usually a top priority and triathletes will happily spend money on things (such as top of the range wetsuits) to help them reach their bikes more quickly. While some swimmers like to race and enjoy doing so in fast wetsuits there are many more that have other priorities such as warmth, visibility and comfort, so products should be designed and marketed to reflect this. Secondly, plenty of open water swimmers don’t use wetsuits, so their priority might be warming up quickly after a swim. They might be looking for easy to put on clothes and thick hats, even in summer.
What additional equipment does an open water swimmer need that a pool swimmer does not? ‘Need’ is probably the wrong word as open water swimmers can get away with very little equipment if they wish. However, there are a few things worth considering for safety and comfort. A pair of flip-flops and a changing robe can be useful pre- and post-swim. A brightly coloured cap is a good idea for being spotted in the water. Even better is a tow float that you can also use to rest on if you get tired. A wetsuit will keep you warmer, help you float and probably allow you to swim faster but you lose the delicious feeling of cool water against your skin.
Open water swimming offers a lot more than
a quick dash around a lake in a wetsuit in summer. Think about the joy of wild swimming, the challenge of cold water swimming and the adventure of exploring while on a swimming holiday. What can retailers offer to support these activities?
Also, remember that open water swimming
offers a lot more than a quick dash around a lake in a wetsuit in summer. Think about the joy of wild swimming, the challenge of cold water swimming and the adventure of exploring while on a swimming holiday. What can retailers offer to support these activities?
Some swimmers prefer to use specialist open water goggles when swimming outside as they tend to offer a wider angle of vision. As mentioned previously, warm clothes are particularly useful. For the technically minded, some sort of waterproof GPS enabled device can be a fun way to keep track of open water swims. A waterproof camera is useful too.
What are your favourite swimming brands and why? My favourite swimming brands are those that recognise adult swimmers have different needs to adolescent swimmers and that open water swimmers are not frustrated triathletes.
What advice can retailers give to pool and amateur swimmers looking to start open water swimming? Step one is to ensure that you can comfortably swim continuously for several hundred metres. It doesn’t matter what stroke, but you need to know that you can get back to safety. Build your swimming fitness in a pool first and consider lessons if you are struggling. Step two would either be to go to a commercial open water venue to do your first swims in a safe and supervised environment or join a group or club where you can be guided by experienced swimmers. Open water swimming is a relatively safe
sport despite what you might have been led to believe by some of the graphic campaigns run by the emergency services warning against it. However, there are risks for the unwary such as cold water shock, sudden changes in depth and currents. These are all manageable with the right precautions and there are plenty of resources online to help you understand the risks and stay safe.
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