7 Things You Need For Your First Open Water Swim | Essential Tips For Open Water Swimming

If you’re intrigued about open water swimming but don’t really know where to start or you’re nervous about taking the plunge, then we have got 7 tips for that first open water swim!
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Are you intrigued about open water swimming but don’t really know where to start or you’re nervous about taking the plunge?
It doesn't need to be complicated so Mark and Heather are here with 7 tips for that first open water swim!
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍
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Watch more on GTN...
📹 9 Open Water Swimming Tips | Swim Skills For Beginners
👉 gtn.io/OpenWater
📹 Improve Your Open Water Confidence | 8 Beginner Swimming Tips For Triathletes 👉 gtn.io/OpenWaterConfidence
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Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images
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[@ngdawgs1]

The ‘flipping to your back’ trick literally saved my tail during my first triathlon a few weeks ago. I experienced some panic early on, but I remembered this advice, and it totally helped me calm down. Oddly enough... probably one of the most relaxing moments I’ve ever experienced. I was able to finish my swim, and I’m now enjoying training in open water a bit more. Thank you both n GTN for all the great content!! 💪🏽

[@Kadenbauer]

Had my first sprint last week. And it was great. It is such a difference between getting told how difficult a start and a swim can be in pack of triathletes and then experiencing it on your own. I got carried away by the speed of the field and had to fight a bit of exhaustion and panic around 2/3 of the distance. But I always kept telling myself: not today! I switched to breast for some meters, calmed myself down and carried on. And damn, that felt good finishing it!

[@Rory626]

Great strategy. keeping calm makes all the difference. well done!

[@mochidomo]

Heather casually wearing a Roka wetsuit in the intro then wearing an Orca suit when swimming 😅😂😂

[@heatherfell_oly]

Oh you spotted it :0

[@LizaLavolta]

This has been my new favorite quarantine workout tbh. I am enjoying the local lakes and it's incredible

[@gtn]

Great to hear!

[@steveosborne9273]

Have noticed that many Triathlons have open water training sessions leading up to the race. Highly recommend it for new Triathletes. Definitely helped me with my first ocean swim.

[@zungagames]

Earplugs. I was on the swim team before my first open water swim and went in nothing but my speedo. Also did not openwater practice swims. Got totally off course (even though I finished 2nd - it was a fairly small race mind you) but the biggest thing I remember was being dizzy for 5 solid minutes. SO much so that my run up to the bike was ridiculously off balance and swaying all over the place. Luckily I was on a relay and just had to tag my biker, because I spent the next 5 minutes just getting my balance back. Now I swim with earplugs and no probs. I attribute it to my inexperience as well as not wearing earplugs in that colder water.

[@supreethvasisht2451]

I did my first open water swim for local triathlon event, 550m of pure joy and agony, murky water, coming out the last but one and feeling I have achieved something. My next goal apart from getting quicker is to do the olympic distance!

[@charlieowen1967]

ooo thats vobster quay. I swim there and its so good. Maybe i’ll see you there. Good luck swimming guys. 🏊🏼‍♂️

[@lessatwi1]

Superb set of tips. Thnx.

[@panagiotispapakostas4848]

Nice video , well done!!! Continue like that!!!

[@thibod07]

Awesome video thank you!

[@TheMichaelguerrero]

I just hit my first open water swim today and experienced everything explained here haha. cant wait till the next swim.great video

[@3cc4]

Thanks a lot for this video 👍🏼

[@melrichardson2392]

Thanks for the tips the more the better.

[@Mint_Mushroom2976]

Some of these reccomendations happened intuitively with my first swim.

[@peckymother]

I'm going for my first sea swim next week with the Felixstowe Swimming club and am looking forward to it. I've got a wetsuit and cap and float for safety as I'm concerned about getting cold and tired. Will let you know how it goes !!

[@Hannah-gm4pe]

This is so good

[@JP-zh6qt]

Thanks guys.

[@said0725]

Very informative 👍🏻 thanks a lot 🇲🇦💯

[@ODYSSEYOpenWater]

Thanks for sharing! Just get out there and try it. Most swim groups have experienced swimmers and coaches who can get you up to speed and answer any of your questions. If in the San Francisco area, make sure to check us out. We host weekly Berkeley swims throughout the year in addition to Alcatraz swims and other special events.

[@neilshannon9930]

That water is so clear... Looks beautiful!

[@heatherfell_oly]

Neil yes it was a stunning day for filming :)

[@averagerunner_]

Trying open water swim for the first time this summer, thank you for this, rly enjoyed your video.

[@gtn]

Glad you enjoyed our video. Have fun on your first open water swim, let us know how you find it! 🙌

[@becmango]

Props to presenting while treading water! Thanks for the tips!

[@heatherfell_oly]

Thanks becmango, wetsuits certainly help!

[@strikerone475]

Had my first long distance open water swim last week. Amazing feeling when I finished.

[@laurynembree6430]

I've been competing in usual swimming for a year or so and am only a few second off of senior state times and am planning on going to Vegas for a meet in Vegas for open water so I just wanted to see what yall recomend

[@helmut.jansen]

great pictures!

[@heatherfell_oly]

Thanks :)

[@mattbrownruns]

I just tried wild swimming yesterday, thanks GTN! I swam a part that was too far upstream. Yeah, it was shallow at points to say the least. I will choose another location a few miles away next time... It was incredible!

[@heatherfell_oly]

That's great to hear Matthew, the summer is perfect for wild swimming but make sure you go with someone :)

[@thanktheuniverse9438]

Great tips... I went into open water for the first time with all the kit and an experienced swimmer and still had a panic attack. It seems daft looking back. My suggestion is to get in slow, take a deep breath and breath with your face under. Don't worry about breaking up your stride between breast and front crawl. Ironically I found the further I swam the more relaxed I got.

[@ArabellaWright]

I was 100% the same earlier this year! Almost pulled out of my race but perseverance paid off fortunately. I find breathing outwards slowly as you get in really does help stop the body from taking a sharp intake of breath that starts the panic.

[@heatherfell_oly]

It isn't daft, it can be daunting and takes time and practise 👍

[@christianguthrie6614]

Thank you.. Where is the location your at? Water looks beautifully clear. Anyone know of good locations in essex, Suffolk, Norfolk?

[@cryora]

Had my first open water swim yesterday with a Roka wetsuit and it was tough cause it felt more constricting in the arms than in my pool swims. Eventually I felt fatigued and decided stop stroking to rest. It was also hot, and I was getting all sweaty just trying to put the wetsuit on. I think for Summer, a sleeveless wetsuit or no wetsuit at all would be better, but maybe if I got more used to it, it wouldn't be as bad.

[@heatherfell_oly]

cryora it's worth spending a bit of time pulling it on properly especially into the armpits. If you were hot and sweaty it might have felt more restrictive as possible not on as well as in the pool. Do flush the cold water in too, even at intervals if you're getting too hot. Stick with it and good luck :)

[@brianbruno1786]

I live in PA and I have no idea where to go

[@abbiecolosimo3720]

I'm am doing the swim sepentine in Hyde park this September if anyone has any advice

[@DPMejorVida]

Hello! What size is that swimming buoy? 10l or 20l? Thank you

[@TavsIsAbout]

What sort of thickness for wetsuits are people using for open water swimming? I’ve got an old 3mm thickness suit hanging around from my scuba diving days, would that be ok?

[@roblodge3818]

One question re breathing. When doing front crawl, do you breathe as you normally would in a pool, by breathing out when your head is submerged? sorry if it’s a stupid question.

[@ArtArt-xh5oq]

My FIRST open-water swim is tomorrow!! Average Ocean Temp: 75 °F - 78 °F How should I prepare the body?

[@PoetWithPace]

Too late, again! Had my first open water swim the other week 🙀🙀🙀

[@jatinmaharao6888]

I will be visiting UK in a few weeks. Any suggestions on where I can get some cost effective quality stuff for triathlons.

[@swim4life501]

I guess it depends where in UK you are going . You can google see if any shops . I get most of mine on line .

[@antoniofonseca828]

this videos made me realize that im sea born ahahaha and made me love protugal even more

[@sherwincatli]

I hope I can tread as well as these two.

[@heatherfell_oly]

Sherwin the wetsuits help ;)

[@T1Oracle]

My breaks involve my head going under water. I need a coach, but the last time I had a swimming lesson the instructor gave up on teaching me to float. I sink really well. As soon as I exhale my head wants to go under.

[@green9554]

Me, 3:00 a.m., with insomnia and experience in open water: Ah yes, I need this, sleep can wait

[@lydiadavies7073]

please could you say where this was filmed? Thank you!

[@charlieowen1967]

Lydia Davies its vobster quay. I swim there

[@willanderson3224]

Can we please take a moment to appreciate what the youtube captions system has interpreted "if your goggles fog up" as at 1:47

[@josefryan5445]

Well spotted

[@annak29]

I re-listened 3x, and it actually sounded like he said "goals for your girth" 😂

[@ashishriyal7357]

Can ye tell me what is the buying link of inflatable loon you carried in ur video? Anyone help. I need this for my dad. I am from India

[@Djordy56]

Do you guys have eyes open under water? Here in the Netherlands visabilty is like 30cm its green, yellow, darkish. Its scary to swim with eyse open eheh

[@tikskit]

If I wanted to grab some power gels for my swim where would be the best place in a wetsuit to put them? I can only suppose a collar at the back but I feel that this place gets loose while swimming and water passes through it.

[@alphacharlie65ms]

Sleeves.

[@heatherfell_oly]

tikskit down the front would be the least restrictive area to store but I haven't ever tried myself.

[@silenthill1035]

While this is a good video for a beginner but by no means covers everything a beginner must know about swimming in open waters. I had the scare of my life not too long ago when I found myself farther from the bank than I had expected. There were two reasons for that of which I was unaware of at the time. First, underwater currents that are invisible on the water surface can through one off course. Second, irregular shapes of banks which make your horizontal swimming meaningless as one may start the swim from a point where the bank is 5m away, and within few seconds it becomes 20m away all the while trying to swim along the bank.

[@arbanaskocudo]

I have swim buoy and its impossible to swim when wind blows in direction opposite of your swim, because it lifts buoy in the air and hits me in back of my head, shoulders and arns

[@anotherbutt4chair454]

Step one if you see an alligator get the hell out!

[@heatherfell_oly]

Thankfully not a problem we have in the UK!!

[@paulgal]

@@heatherfell_oly no just trolleys and eels

[@josefryan5445]

That’s why the best open swimming is in the uk, nothing to worry about other than harmless little fish

[@theoccasionalvideo]

Does the buoy help with floatation?

[@phoenixnmhesq]

The Occasional Video Yes it does. It shouldn’t be used like a life jacket however

[@ellak3276]

can I ask where this is?

[@markthrelfall3577]

Bella K Vobster Quay, near Mells. It’s about 20-30mins drive from Bath

[@ellak3276]

@@markthrelfall3577 Perfect! I have been thinking about trying open water swim and didn't know where to to start. I might try there sometime. Thank you very much😊

[@edhodges1984]

I’d highly recommend Vobster, such a lovely place to swim and the water is soooo clear.

[@ellak3276]

@@edhodges1984 It looks absolutely lovely! I will definitely try there. Thank you so much! 😊

[@Hannah-gm4pe]

Ok

[@JoshuaRoudenko89]

Fighting my phobia

[@adamt511]

I've got 2 years to become an adequate swimmer to swim the english channel, (22miles) and I'm a non swimmer currently 😭

[@ricardopereira1795]

Where is this located?

[@heatherfell_oly]

It's a quarry near Bath called `Vobster Quay.

[@speedyswimming5270]

@@heatherfell_oly wow this lake is soooo clear I can't believe how deep you can see! All the lakes in the south west of london are like pea soup and you can't see more than 2 metres ahead! Very lucky to have a lake like this!

[@heatherfell_oly]

@@speedyswimming5270 Yes we're pretty lucky having this on our doorstep!

[@user-ev6jn3up3v]

'If you liked the video, give us a thumbs-up' - Done! Catch!☺

[@petemartin1891]

is there anyone from Dorset here to recommend good locations for open water swims

[@gtn]

Some experience of swimming in Dorset here at GTN - we like Lyme Regis and Weymouth Bay. May be other locations which are just as good/better 🙂

[@Sophie-hk6yw]

Yes Bowleaze cove (pebbles), Overcombe Bay (pebbles and sand) and Smallmouth cove (sand) are all lovely. All in Weymouth region.

[@markankone9362]

First😎

[@lesvoyagesdelouis6574]

Joli

[@RiaanDunckley]

If my first open water swim was in water this clear it would’ve been such a bad experience.

[@Maxwaehrens]

Why would that make it a bad experience?

[@RiaanDunckley]

Whoops wrong predictive text, should be wouldn’t have.

[@heatherfell_oly]

Riaan we are lucky with the clear water, and yes I agree it does help for sure!

[@arronpalmer2773]

With that floating thing, can you put your clothes and phone in that?

[@mochidomo]

I think you can, it should have a waterproof pocket

[@alphacharlie65ms]

It's actually for a beginner swimmer to rest if he needs to.

[@DanielMooreDJ]

Arron Palmer it is called a pull buoy or safety buoy. U can buy ones with or without pockets

[@swim4life501]

I put drinking water and my gopro in . Used it for 2 years have not used it for phone or car keys . I think you can get water tight plastic bags.

[@cryora]

Yeah it's called a tow float drybag. You can blow air into it after you close the bag, unlike regular drybags. Double bagging is recommended in case it gets punctured or water otherwise gets in. If you fill it up with stuff, at some point it's not going to float.

[@bandsinistre1087]

Do you guys high-five each other with your trapeziuses

[@SSuperCuriouss]

don't touch my toes, unless you want a kick.

[@meowzah2495]

I’m afraid of snapping turtles.

[@poulthomas469]

one word: Sharks

[@shahenismaeil431]

I'm afraid of the goddamn shark

[@dabbykins]

shahen ismaeil same

[@joselynnevarez8509]

Are the hosts a couple????

[@randallpeltzer]

You don’t need seven things to swim in open water just two -a swimsuit and a towel. You shouldn’t let a website selling and advertising outdoor swimming kit tell you otherwise.

[@jonathanoxlade4252]

Maybe a snorkel for underwater fun aswel lol I know I certainly be looking at fish that may try to bite lol

[@TheRflynn]

You could get by without those two. Pull float and cap are cheap and for safety…experienced swimmers are often helped to shore.

[@azukarzuchastux8066]

John 3:16 King James Version 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

[@glofu_5969]

Jesus loves you

[@chrisblack8464]

Are there really people who are seriously watching this?

[@vortexgamer681]

Ok