Can it be done comfortably with a wet or dry suit? I'm considering trying it but know nothing about swimming.

I live in the upper Midwest and only 'swim' (wade) when it's +90F. I'm sensitive to cold water but love wading as long as my feet and core temp are warm.

I never see anyone swim at our beaches below 60F. Do people not do it because it's still pretty cold even in a suit? Or the equipment expenses? Or because the suit is uncomfortable?

I love walking along the water, and fishing. I just ordered hip waders to find out how it feels to step in cold water. I'm considering trying chest waders or a suit if I really enjoy it, but I don't know if this is a stupid idea.

Sorry if this is a dumb question!

When cold wind makes toweling off before dressing unfavorable, what's the easiest clothing to pull on before donning parka?

Hi all, looking for OW smart tracking options for a semi-troglodyte who appreciates a minimal tracker. I’m open to watches and goggles, and whatever app sync is best.

For context:

I’m an open water swimmer in Lake Michigan, typically April to November (but the season does keep getting longer each year due to environmental factors). My swims are typically about 1.5 miles, but I’m only able to measure by knowing the physical distance of two points, meaning if I amble, explore/get distracted by a rare bird, or get blown off course, I never really know how far I went. So now I think I’d like to start having that info at least, and if I can learn more about my swim/how swimming, great.

To complicate this search: I’m the kind of swimmer who’d rather be naked, goggle-less, and cap-less, the more it’s just me-and-the-water, the better. But I wear my goggles to make long swims functional, my suit to be a part of society, and I suck it up and get in the wetsuit in early/late season to extend my time in the water. (I’m also appalled by the idea of a smart watch tracking me/being on me all day/every day so even if Apple Watch is the winner here I’ll be using it for workouts only. See: troglodyte.)

I’ve looked up reviews of the Form smart goggle and it seems mixed between love and total pans. I’m guessing data in my eye and the extra tech on my face would not be my style. Do I just get an Apple Watch and a tracker app already? (In case helpful: I have an iPhone/mac) What do you recommend?

Many thanks for your recs for somebody who’d rather be skinny dipping!

looks like the water temp is ~60 in lake arrowhead currently. i’m thinking about doing a short swim there this weekend - i’ve only done OWS in the ocean. anything different to consider in a lake?

Maybe a ridiculous premise, bc really, where would you NOT swim in Maui? Lol. But anyway...

I'm headed to Maui with my husband, 2.5 year old, and my parents in 2 weeks. Between the hotel pool and the snorkeling we want to do, we'll be in the water a lot. But say I wanted a nice protected spot to get a mile or 2 in near Kihei. Anyone have a spot they recommend?

Hi all,

I'm currently considering doing a 20km OWS in about six months and was keen to get people advice on how realistic it was and any other advice from people who'd tackled longer distances.

About the event:

• It will be in the ocean and I'll do it no-wetsuit
• I have some flexibility around timing so we'll be able to target finer weather
• The tides will be net neutral, or slightly supportive
• I'll be supported by a boat

My background and current fitness

• 40yo, relatively fit, usually place top ~5% in shorter OWS events (behind the pros and teenagers).
• I currently train 2-3 times p/w for 5-6km total distance.
• I finished a 10km swim earlier in the year (with a wetsuit) and felt completely fine like I could have kept going easily. My time was 2:41. I've lost 15kg since then so I'm definitely fitter.

My training plan:

• I have somewhat limited training capacity due to family commitments, but my plan is:
  • 1 x longer OWS per week (3-5k)
  • 1 x masters squad ~1h/3k
  • 1 x solo pool swim ~30m up-tempo
  • 2 x weights
• In the final month(s) I might be able to ramp it up the volume slightly.

Does this sound realistic? Any advice?

I have had my eye on a number of the Oceanman events, and I have tried to reach out to them with no success. I have used the webform on their site as well as the email address on the site. Any suggestions? They look like great events, at least from their YouTube videos, and people say good things about them online, but before I book a flight to take part in one of their races I would like to know that they answer their mail. Thanks for any suggestions.

I don’t live there but visit fairly often. Anyone know a good spot for ocean swimming? Ideally without a lot of boat or surfer traffic, and no surprises with currents or riptides. Group swims would be awesome, too.

Any recommendations for a pair of warm socks post open water swim?

Hi everyone, I've signed up for my first open water swim (3.2km) and will need a wetsuit. I was thinking the rip curl spring suit but not sure if that's suitable as it's more of a surf wetsuit. Would it be fine as a beginner? I'm open to recommendations. I just don't want swimming to feel uncomfortable or experience chaffing.

You are in a river or lake or whatever, you carry an energy gel, rol on your back and eat the damn thing. What do you do with the empty sachet? I don't want to drop it in the water, because pollution, but not sure where to store it... Under cap? Goggles strap? Ideas?

Hi everyone - very new here and pretty new to open water swimming in general but I've signed up to swim across the Solent (the strip of sea between the Isle of Wight and mainland UK) next summer.

I'm looking for some advice for a decent open water wetsuit to swim in, preferably sold in the UK so I can try it on first. The wetsuit doesn't need to be too thick as it'll be summer temperatures but it can get pretty chilly in UK waters even then. I'm more looking for recommendations when it comes to movement, wetsuits that are lighter and less restricting than standard ones. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Also if anyone else has already swum it or is planning to, I'd love to chat more to see what your training plan was/is!

Assuming someone is a strong swimmer. I know it’s impossible to say given there are other factors usually at play, but if it was between solely a rough current and rough tide.

I always assumed a current would be easier because eventually you swim parallel to shore, whereas I’ve never had any ‘go to’ survival tactic for rough tides.

Thank you so much in advance. I’m very curious. Also if you have any insight into best way to deal with a rough tide. Please refrain from obvious answers like “get out of the water”

Hi, I’m from the UK and trying to get into open water swimming. I’ve got 3:2 and 4:3 wetsuits, a rash vest (idk thickness, guessing 1mm), and 5mm boots. Looking to be able to swim year-round if possible, likely in the Lake District. Is there any other equipment I’d need/when would I need it (eg hood, gloves), particularly in winter? Are any swimming spots out of the question period at certain times due to temperature? Google’s giving very varied results on what’s advised. Thanks for any replies.

Edit: thanks again to everyone who’s replied, every comment has been of help to me and I’m a lot more sure of what gear I need to buy/how others work around certain obstacles. 😄

Any recommendations of brands that sell silcon swim hats that are larger than your typical one size fits all.

Struggling post a quick Google, all one size fits all and frequently having to reposition hat mid swim.

I’m planning on doing the escape from Alcatraz swim with Pacific Coast Swim Co. in a small group. Has anyone done it? How choppy is it? I swim in my local river but have very little ocean experience and was trying to get a sense of how wavy it is. I know it’s not a smooth swim but what exactly am I getting myself into?

Hello all!

Targeted this sub for more sound advice aside from the triathlon sub. How hard is it to successfully swim in the Gulf? I am fairly confident in both lap pool and swimming in large lakes with decent chop.

But what would it take to make the dive (I'm funny, I swear! 😂) into OWS in Ocean Water?

I am targeting a 70.3 in Panama City Beach next May and would like to make that my challenge to myself of facing the ocean for a swim. It's only 1.2 miles and I have done a 140.6 this year. So strength and confidence go far beyond a little 1900m swim. Lol

Looking for advice/tips/tricks to simulate as the most I'd be able to do is go down a few days prior to the race to finally see how swimming in saltwater goes. Obviously not incredibly ideal. But still mulling over if this is possible and/or an incredibly dumb idea.

Thanks all!

EDIT: Cross-posted from r/swimming

Has anybody figured out how to display water temperature on the display during Open water workout for Series 10 and Ultra? I can only see it in the app afterwards.

I can see my max heart rate on the watch during swim, but not afterwards in the fitness app. Just zones and average. Can someone point me to where I can see that? Pretty bizarre if it's not available.

For Sträva tracking, double button press does not stop the workout. Is there a workaround anybody found for pausing?

Thank you

This will sound crazy but does anyone know if orca songs, sounds, vocals, etc played under water while swimming in the ocean scares away sharks? I know sharks are terrified of orcas to the point that just the sight of orcas makes them flee and stay away for months. I want to try to swim in the ocean but I can’t shake the fear of sharks so could this work? The only downside I can think of is possibly attracting an orca but since there’s never been an attack of a human in the wild by an orca, that possibility doesn’t frighten me as much as being circled by a tiger or bull shark or white shark. 🦈

Any solutions for this? I thought about adding some kind of extension but then I’m worried the buoy will interfere with my kick.

I am going for a corporate trip to Los Angeles in February 2025 and I will try to find some time for an open water swim. If anyone has any suggestion, I'll read it! I don't know if the ocean is accessible and not too dangerous...

Swam laps whole life, am 63M new to open water, going to be swimming in Lake Tahoe. I think I want one that I can stash keys and a few other small things in, including smart phone, using strava or another app to track the swim.

Hi, I'm travelling to Thailand in December and want to find an idyllic beach for swimming. No/little boat traffic, buoys if possible, cool wildlife or coral along the way. Does anyone have recommendations? I swim long distances front crawl so looking for a decent stretch of coast to explore. Ideally in Thailand but I'm willing to venture to neighbouring countries if it means an unforgettable swim!