How to Extend Your Open Water Swimming Season

Stay in the water with our thermal tips and gear essentials designed to keep you warm and motivated!

With falling water temperature and fading memories of a hot Aussie summer, it’s only natural for open water swimmers to want to retreat to indoor pools. However, the freedom of lakes, rivers, and ocean swims is an experience that simply cannot be replicated with a pool, which is why the right autumn swim gear is vital to extend your season outdoors.

We’ve got plenty of tips to help you stay warm, safe, and strong in the water with our guide full of open water swimming tips and the right SCODY gear designed to go the distance.

Why Cold Water Swimming Is Worth It

Cold water swimming is incredibly popular in the wellness community, but not many people understand why. Let’s look at a few of the benefits of sticking with your open water swimming regime all year round.

Promotes Mental and Physical Endurance

Open water swimming is mentally and physically complex, however, it is a brilliant way to improve your mental toughness and physical endurance. The cold water makes you push through any psychological barriers and complete training that others would give up on.

Boost Circulation, Immune Response, and Mood

You might be familiar with the term runner's high, but what about swimmers' high? Open water and cold water swimming is a brilliant way to kick start your immune system, improve your circulation, and boost your mood which is especially useful during the darker months.

Surprisingly Peaceful

Once you get past the chilly temperatures, you’ll find a sense of peace from the calm waters. In indoor pools, you’re often faced with crowds of people or noisy children, whereas in the open water, it’s just you and nature which is a lot better than floats being throw your way by wild kids!

Brilliant Race Prep

If you’re looking to maintain your progress in endurance swimming or give your race prep the cutting edge, open water swimming is your secret weapon. Nothing prepares you for race conditions like training in well, race conditions. Stay outdoors and you’ll be ready for anything.

Essential Thermal Swimwear for Autumn

When the water temperature goes below 20°C, it is time to start bringing in your autumn and winter kit. We’ve got the ideal open water swimwear to keep you warm and active all year long.

Wetsuits

Wetsuits designed specifically to insulate your body in cold water are what you need to perform at your best during an open water swim. Look for a wetsuit for cool water around 3mm to 5mm thick with plenty of flexibility in the shoulders and a quick-dry lining.

Warm-Up and Cool-Off Clothing

One of the biggest mistakes made by open water swimmers is incorrectly managing their body temperature before and after swimming. Getting too cold before you dive in can make acclimatisation much harder, and once you get out of the water, it’s really easy for chills to set in.

Before you hop in the water, it’s best to arrive warm. Dress in thermal tights and a warm jacket even whilst you do your warm ups. Arm swings, squats, and dynamic stretches are all perfect things to bring into your pre swim routine to prevent injury.

Once you’re out of the water, it’s important to dry off and change into warm clothing as soon as possible. Layering up with our waterproof jackets and compression tights that are designed to be breathable, insulating, and fast drying, is one of the best ways to recover from cold water swimming.

Staying Safe

You should always respect nature and the conditions you’re swimming in. Thermal swimwear cannot replace good judgment so it’s important to do the following when swimming in cooler temperatures.

●      You must always check the water temperature before you get in.

●      Wear a bright swimming cap and use a tow float to remain visible.

●      Familiarise yourself with the signs of cold shock and hypothermia.

●      Always let someone know when and where you’ll be swimming and when to expect your return.

If you stick to these tips then you should be safe in the open water.

Don’t Let Autumn Hold You Back

With our open water swimming tips and kit, there is absolutely no reason to cut your swim season short. Wear kit that is designed to handle the elements and help you keep pushing towards your next goal.

Don’t forget to sign up for our SCODY rewards program and check out the blog for more ways to remain active as the temperature drops. Remember to keep swimming and extend your season with SCODY.