Open water swimming (sometimes referred to as ‘wild swimming’) is an exhilarating adventure sport that sees intrepid swimmers dive into natural lakes, rivers and oceans. It’s an activity that gets more and more popular as time goes by, with an increasing number of beginners joining the open water club every year. Our beginner’s guide is designed to get you started on your open water journey, covering essential skills to recommended gear, and also exploring why swimming before sunrise can be so rewarding. Should I try open water swimming? Wild swimming can be an enriching, often transcendental adventure sport, for multiple reasons. A beginner’s guide to open water swimming would be incomplete without exploring these incredible benefits, so here goes: Reconnect with nature: from spotting fish below to admiring the sun glinting off the horizon, open water swimming is an excellent way to foster a deeper connection with the natural world. Challenge and resilience: doing hard things makes us stronger and better, and it doesn’t get much harder than diving into cold water (and staying there!). Throw in unpredictable waves and currents, and you’ve got a hobby that asks a lot of you — but gives so much back in return. Physical and mental wellbeing: speaking of giving so much, open water swimming can be beneficial for physical and mental health. A full-body workout combined with increased heart rate due to colder temperatures can help boost physical strength and significantly improve mood. Safety considerations for beginners when open water swimming Open water swimming is very different from pool swimming, and understanding those differences is key if you want to do it safely and effectively. With the unpredictability of natural bodies of water, it’s important for beginners to consider the following: Water temperature: open water can be much colder (sometimes much, much colder) than pool water. Getting your body used to progressively lower temperatures is advised before you embark on your first swim. Varying currents: ocean tides, river currents and other water dynamics can change rapidly. Knowing how to identify and respond to these conditions can make a huge difference; some of that knowledge will come with time spent in the water. Visibility: open waters are often shared by boats and kayaks, so being immediately identifiable is critical. Wearing a brightly coloured swim cap can help, as can swimming with a group. Navigation: many open water swimmers like to start their expedition before the sun has risen. While it can be a magical experience, ensuring you can see the path ahead is paramount for safety and enjoyment. What sort of kit do I need to do open water swimming safely? As with most adventure sports, investing in the right gear can make all the difference when it comes to enjoyment and safety. Overall, open water swimming is accessible and cheap for beginners, but you will need a few items to get the most from it, and ensure you’re safe when wild swimming. Wetsuit: a good quality wetsuit is important because it helps retain heat. That’s essential in open bodies of water, which tend to be colder than pools. A wetsuit also adds buoyancy, making it easier to swim in general. Brightly-coloured swim cap: open water swimmers share rivers and oceans with kayakers, boats and other water traffic. A bright swim cap makes you more visible, increasing your safety. Goggles: clear or tinted goggles enhance visibility underwater, and protect your eyes too. Waterproof head torch: many open water swimmers start their adventure before the sun has risen and the civilised world has woken up. As such, a waterproof head torch with a good IP rating is critical, to ensure you can navigate safely and also to improve visibility. What’s so good about open water swimming before the sun rises? The serenity of open water swimming is even more pronounced if you take the plunge before the day begins. It’s a uniquely calming, invigorating experience, and it’s favoured by open water swimmers for that reason. Additionally, certain work commitments make swimming before the sun has risen a necessity. Whatever your reason for considering swimming in the dark, it’s important to make sure you’re as prepared as you can be. What to consider when buying a head torch for open water swimming There are a few things to consider when it comes to purchasing a head torch for open water swimming: Battery life: ensuring your head torch doesn’t run out of charge mid-swim is paramount. As such, you’ll want a head torch that lasts (ideally a few days) and charges quickly and efficiently. Durability: it’s important to pick a head torch that will endure, and offers resistance to the elements. Try and find one that is housed in a sturdy, dependable material like titanium or aluminium. Waterproof rating: considering you’ll be taking your head torch into open waters, a good waterproof rating is critical. An IP68 rating ensures a device is suitable for continuous immersion in water, so aim for that. RGB capability: while this isn’t essential, a head torch with a red light function can help preserve night vision, meaning the visibility of areas outside of the light will be improved. If you’re serious about open water swimming at night and want a torch with excellent build quality, battery and a high waterproof rating, the HF8R CORE RGB Rechargeable Head Torch is a fine pick. Encased in robust aluminium housing, it offers 90 hours of battery, RGB lighting and an IP68 waterproof rating. It has everything you need to venture out into the open waters before sunrise with confidence. Open water swimming: challenging and joyous at the same time Open water swimming is an adventure sport that is, in many ways, perfect for beginners. The barrier for entry is low, the beneficial effects are immediate and pronounced, and it’s an activity you can do solo or with a group. You can do it in the dark (it’s arguably better that way) and it represents a unique opportunity to reconnect with the beauty of the natural world. Regardless of how, when and where you do it, preparing for the swim ahead is essential. We hope our beginner’s guide to open water swimming helps you do just that. For torches with an IP68 rating that you can use in open water swimming, click the link.
