Open Water Swimming Tips For Beginners! | Essential Skills & Tips Your Next Open Water Swim

Are you new to open water swimming or maybe a bit out of practice? We're here to help make sure you are ready to safely go swimming, preparing you for cold water, sighting, equipment, and more! (This video was recorded before Covid-19).

Are you new to open water swimming or maybe a bit out of practice? We're here to help make sure you are ready to safely go swimming, so we'll be covering everything from, preparing you for cold water, sighting, equipment, relaxation, and more!

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
9th Power - Henyao
From the Cliffside - Tape Machines
Mayweather - warmkeys
Rain Check - Dylan Sitts
Float - [Ocean Jams]
Daffodils - Guustavv
Ice Cream Social - Dylan Sitts
Be Nice (Instrumental Version) - spring gang

Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

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[sebastianaustein]

Never seen a 50+ professor with such impressive physique. Astonishing.

[adrianmayhew]

As the National operations managers for beach lifeguards- I see some Qs for swimming in surf. So 1- know your beach, get to know tides and the times they move. Also note how they move as through that time the volume increase speed before the tide movement come to the end before it reverses . Example water moves from say 1pm to 6pm, the greatest movement is 1 hour before 3pm and 1 hour after. Also you may see surfers looking out to sea. They are reading the “sets” and counting the timings. Each set has a collection of waves, then a gap and then it starts again. This allows the person to know how many waves they potentially have to dodge before they get to calm water. The point is counting the gaps between waves, small counts will mean it is rough and may not be good for you to enter. Th most important point is while on the Bech identify where the rip current is. A rip current is a channel of water wanting to head back into the ocean . This body of water can move form 2 mph right up to 20 mph. You will see surf lifeguards or surfer use that as the quickest way to get out the back of the surf line- however it comes with great warning, that once out you need to swim away from it so you can stay relatively close to the shore line. This is done by swim lateral to the shoreline. If ever stuck in a rip ( and you will know by not making progress back to shore)/don’t panic, you’re wetsuit provides 20N buoyancy so you can float. Again swim across the shore line and look for the area of waves. The waves will bring you in. Best advice if you want to swim in the surf, is go and speak to the lifeguards, they know the area, and more importantly keep an eye out for you. Surf swimming is different to inland and pool and a recent science study showed that it was around 24% difference (Tipton et al ), so. You do need to think about your own ability and experience. Finally colour caps a recent study by both Mustang Survival ( N America water safety company) and the EU Independently looked at this for the world of search and rescue. For inland the Fluorescent Green came out on top followed by Closely was Fluoro Orange ( believe is now has the EN number 471), but worst colours were Red and Yellow. Right now we don’t have lifeguards due to C-19 and the risk for rescuing people is high due to the requirement of close contact. PPE is required and the training of the use as we will deal with casualties as C-19 positive. Enjoy the beach and I hope this helps just a little bit. Thanks for the great program- better than watching tv👍

[Konservedose]

Great tips! One very important thing missing is orientation in open water: Plan your swim and learn to locate landmarks and to check them frequently during the swim. It's something that is often underestimated. You don't want to add unnecessary distance to your route because of bad navigation.

[kylebrown]

Ironically I learned to swim in a muddy river where you could never see the bottom. When I finally went to a pool it was a bit unnerving knowing how deep it was.

[RichardHoogenboom]

Always bring a thermo bottle with boiling hot tea, .. that’s just awesome in warming you up quickly after a long swim.

[mdcsdm]

Best bit of equipment that has helped me go from pool to lake... ear plugs! First lake swim was 15 horrible minutes and ending up super dizzy. Cold water in the ear clearly to blame, since introducing ear plugs I’ve had no problem at all

[sueburton]

This is a great intro to open water. Check water temperature! Very good to remember and be ready for the (possible) temperature drop when you get out. Here's my advice: Don't freak out about the slimy stuff you have to walk on to get into and out of the water. Get in slowly if the the water is quite cold. Also, don't freak out if you see a fish!

[illyadmark]

I LOVE open water swimming, I finally started taking a buoy after having a problem with wind and waves one night. LoL

[brianfosterkinsale]

Last year I did my first long distance swim. I was ten years old at the time, I swam 2km in cold water with no wetsuit. Thank you for the tips. It helps alot.

[aaroiseverything]

Wow the waters are so clear! you cant even see your hand in Singapore waters Hahaha

[shadwabarghash]

yes, in diving it's called "buddy system" for being "extra air & helping hands"

[blubbblubb]

What helped me the most with gaining the confidence whilst looking into the dark: Closing my eyes under water and doing the first swims together with somone else. Later on swiming with a swim buoy and step by step looking into the dark ;-)

[xrayfish]

I joined NOWCA during lockdown and I'm looking forward to my first open swim 🇬🇧👍

[marcushutchinson]

Love watching Heather swim - sooo smooth effortless. Oh If Only I could but Im trying ...:)

[mattc]

Do you have a video on how to spot dangerous or problematic currents when open swimming in the sea?

[satina]

Great video and I love swimming. Always taking my kickboard and sometimes fins with me in open water

[PropulsionSwimming]

Our coach was an open water national silver medallist. It's great once you get used to it all

[ferguscrawley]

West Kirby marine lake this morning - at least 15 swimmers in there!

[dt]

Waiting to get back into our local beach with the group. Hopefully before the monsoon hits. Really enjoy those swims.

[nikodc]

If you are trying to reach a true beginner, you should explain what flow rate is and why it can be dangerous.