Hi, I’m doing a survey to try to learn about the relationship between marine sports and conservation. Not selling anything, not recording identity of responders, just looking for opinions. Takes about 5 minutes. Thanks!

I posted this in the swimming subreddit but maybe it’s better here.

I will be moving to the Cotswolds soon and I am looking for an open water swimming location to train for an upcoming event. I live near lechlade.

Where could I find a list of open water swimming clubs? I found some on swimming.org, but there are none near to me.

Any other information or advice would be really appreciated !

So recently when I went swimming in the local lake (4 degrees C in the water) I was wearing what is basically a wetsuit women's swimsuit (it's not neoprene, it's the allegedly environmentally friendly alternative) and a lady I was getting changed next to was chatting to me. She complimented my suit, said she had one similar. She herself was wearing a full wetsuit. Then she said that her friend was still wearing a regular swimsuit under a full wetsuit, and she said it in a way that seemed really scornful, like her friend was being weird. Is it weird to wear normal swimwear under a wetsuit? I just assumed that was the right thing to do, but I am now questioning myself. That's what I did before I got my thick special swimsuit that I wear by itself.

Hi, I am currently training for oceanman race in Italy in mid June.

I am currently swimming 3/4 times a week. Given the pool times at my local pool are only 45 mins, I am doing 2km in around 36 mins most sessions. I mix 1 session with intervals, and then 2 longer swims.

In March onwards I will train in the sea once a week (I live in dublin, not many lakes here).

I am concerned that to get near being able to swim 5.5km in a lake, that I drastically need to increase my distances.

My question is, how soon should I be pushing to 4-5km in training?

Edit: the water temp is 21 degrees for this race in avg, reckon I need a wetsuit?

[PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS OKAY TO POST HERE]

Hi everyone! I hope it’s okay to post this here—I wanted to check in with the community before sharing.

I’m a junior marketing research intern working on an assignment to understand how swim gear can be improved for better safety and performance. This is a topic I care deeply about, and I’d love to hear from people with real swimming experience!

The survey is just 10 minutes and completely anonymous. It’s designed for:

• Collegiate/club swimmers
• Swim parents
• Coaches
• Triathletes
• Open water swimmers

If any of these apply to you, your feedback would mean the world to me. I truly believe the insights from this survey can make a difference in shaping swim apparel that works better for everyone.

Here is the link to the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUZm9_vI_5mCTiLp0Pi88C51EN5ojtsPTXYRb4Cewa8Uf1Uw/viewform?usp=dialog

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reply or DM me—I completely understand wanting to be cautious. 💙 Thanks so much for considering this, and thank you to the mods and community for letting me post!

Hello! I am a beginner open water swimmer and was looking for reasonably priced wet suits that above all keep me warm. I am in Canada. I only swim in summer but I still hate being cold. I was considering this one- not sure how warm it is, and open to other suggestions. Thank you!

https://zone3.com/en-row/products/venture-wetsuit?variant=42798756757677

Does anyone have experience with the Orca Womens Zeal Perform wetsuit, or have other recommendations for wetsuits that minimise the buoyancy effect, and feel close to swimming without a wetsuit when on? I don't like the way my current wetsuit lifts my legs and hips, so much so that I avoid wearing it but I'm also not tough enough not to wear a wetsuit if I'm not in warm / heated water. I'm looking for an open water wetsuit and a swim run wetsuit. Thanks for the consideration

This is a photo of me swimming in Toulon, south of France. Video here : https://youtu.be/QQRyxdAxf00?si=sv2ypwnD1e4bgc1_

Great feeling, but cold water (14°C).

Hello!

I will be swimming 10k in may.

The water temperature will be around 28C (Aprox 82 F).

Wetsuits are not allowed, to avoid heatstroke.

Does anyone know of open water swim races in Lake Superior this year? I haven’t been able to find any online, but I have seen some from last year. Thanks!

Seemingly starting around 3 years ago, I've had water in ear after each swim.

I've purchased Speedo earplugs but no avail.

Are there any recommendation on steps to take to minimize?

I have been swimming with a garmin swim 2 for the past year, mostly for open water. I feel like the distance is pretty accurate, and I like the interface. But the trackline it gives is hit or miss. I added a photo of the most frustrating instance, and that swim was all freestyle (I've heard breast stroke can cause issues for gps). Sometimes it works great, sometimes it absolutely doesn't. Has anyone had this problem and found a solution? And what do ya'll think is the most accurate and reliable swim tracker (hopefully not apple)?

Last couple of days I swam in a nice river, little flow, I went up and down 2 and 3 kms. But keeping the direction wanted was hard, if I didn't see to the front every 2 or 3 strokes I started drifting to the margins. Any tip you can share?

Hello! This may be a stupid question but I've been having the hardest time figuring out (just looking online) which watches will count laps for you (by simply pushing a button) or yards swam? I REALIZE THIS SOUNDS DUMB, I've just never worn a watch period so I'm not familiar with any of the jargon and I don't want to order the wrong thing. TLDR: I literally just need a recommendation for a cheap watch with ONE function which is to count laps or yards so I can swim my silly little daily mile and call it good. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Edit: I tore my ACL so I won't be able to push off the wall like normal :,( if that influences any answers!

Apparently breaststroke as it apparently uses the least amount of energy but is this even true? And how do you determine what technique you should use for different conditions as with breaststroke when it’s big waves it’s pretty hard to keep water out of my mouth or maybe I’m doing something wrong? I don’t know

Hi! I’m a 29 woman in Colorado training for a 2.5k open water swim in the mountains in August. I was a year round swimmer for 12 years but haven’t done much since 16. My event was the mile so I was good at pacing! Years later my 100 yds in a pool is 1:50 🙃 I’ve been training 3 days a week in the pool for the last month. I swim around 3k. I cycle on my zwift the other days. Granted I am recovering from a mastectomy. I’m nervous - I’m thinking wtf did I get myself into? By my calculations I will probably not be able to complete the 2.5k in an hour if I don’t improve drastically. I want to train everyday in the pool but I’m a full time single mom with tough work hours. In May I plan on getting out once a week in the open water.

I guess I’m looking for words of encouragement and advice! Any good YouTube channels you could recommend? Anyone else from Denver? I really want to prove to myself that I can do that.

The branch of the river has a little island whit slot of houses and and slot of water front places, race runs from the full front and I swam completely distracted by the view. Awful time and performance, but hey. There is always next year 😂

I am currently training for my first open water swim event mid March this year. It is a 1.5km swim in a lake.

I have been swimming for the past 4 1/2 months three times a week after having a baby in May 2024.

I can currently swim a continuous 1.5km in approx 33minutes in the pool with tumble turns. However I am having to switch between freestlye breast stroke and backstroke to keep going. Because I find my technique gets sloppy and fatigue starts to really set in trying to do continuous freestyle only.

Is it normal during OW swim events for people to switch between strokes? And is this ok??

I am anxious that I currently cant swim the whole distance freestyle and am reliant on switching to breast stroke or backstroke to catch my breath.

On a completely seperate note. I dont stop to adjust my goggles or cap. I role onto my back and keep swimming. As if i was in OW. I can also easily tread water as well. However my cap has been driving me mental and I keep getting an air bubble in the top. I’m wondering if its from constant tumble turning, or if I have the wrong size cap????? Any idea?

Any training tips for a first time OW swimmer is also welcome :))

I’m on week 2 of swimming double what a normally swim. Effectively building up to some 3k outdoor swim events and a long outdoor swim in summer, 7.5 miles. I feel fine during and straight after my swims, doing around 3.4 k doing day on day off at the pool. I’m struggling the rest of the day, feeling tired, and my sleep is poor, a lot of awake time and twitchy legs. How do I improve my sleep and nutrition? I take high strength vit C and magnesium that are not cheap! I’m female and age 53 so may take longer to recover re age. I’m tracking everything on my Coros watch too. Tips please to improve nutrition, I already eat healthily and get plenty protein but need help please 🙏 muscles taking longer to recover too so must be needing something more.

Hi! My partner and I do a lot of wild swimming, and he's a diver and dives in pretty chilly locations.

I'm trying to find some changing robes, but I am specifically looking for changing robes lined with cotton and NOT made from recycled PET. I'm not even sure this exists (it's been pretty hard to google search).

I'm not opposed to the outer material being recycled PET, but it's important to me that the liner is cotton/linen/some other natural fabric.

Hi everyone!

I am going on a Swimtrek holiday to Turkey in June and I am not sure what to pack (and buy in advance) (wetsuit, short sleeve wetsuit, just a swimsuit, rash vest, etc.). I could really use your suggestions!

Some info:

• Expected water temperature is 22-26 degrees celcius (73-77°F). Air temperature: 22-29°C / 72-84°F

• We will swim about 5 km a day, usually with a break in between.

• I am a OK swimmer (I'm a triathlete, swimming is not my forte). I take about 22 minutes per kilometer for longer distances.

• I want a nice relaxing swim every day.

• Pictures of previous years show people wearing just bathing suits.

• I tend to get cold quite quickly.

• I only have hand luggage, so I cannot bring too many options.

Any advice is welcome! Thanks :)

Hi All! I'll be visiting my sister next month near Tom's River, New Jersey and I'm trying to figure out where in the ocean I can swim that's nearby.

It seems like NJ (the USA?) is way more restrictive about getting into the water so I'm trying to understand if/how/where I can go without getting arrested. Is there an app/website I should be using to find out where is permissable or if there are any swimming groups in the area? Google is not revealing much.

Obligatory safety disclaimer/context: My sister/her husband would spot me if there's no groups, I swim year-round in the UK and I don't go deeper than waist-level this time of year. I am also American and grew up in NY but have been in the UK for a long while now.

We’re going to be spending a few days at Hilton La Romana, which is on the southeast shore of the DR. I’m looking forward to swimming at the beach.

I’m wondering if anyone has been there and has any tips or advice about this area for open water swimming.