Thinking of making 2025 the year you take on your first open water challenge?. There are countless organised events across the country to choose from, with different distances and difficulty options – and you certainly won’t be the only first-timer taking the plunge!.
But, as a casual dipper looking to freestyle into the world of open water swim races, what do you need to think about?. Tap into the community spirit. If diving headfirst into hardcore competitive swims feels daunting, there are plenty of ways to wade in more gently.
“If you’re looking for something friendly, inclusive and supportive, then your local lake’s a great place to start. There will be someone there – perhaps the lake owner, swim organiser or coach who can answer questions and support you in getting started.
Do your researchMost events require you to register early and popular races can fill up fast. You’ll want to consider the time of year and how long you’ll be in the water for. Thwaites says: “Colder water can take a bit of getting used to, and you need to understand how your body will respond before taking on a longer swim. This is particularly true in rivers or the sea outside of summer. During the warmest summer season (June to September), the lakes are consistently warmer, and usually warmest from July to September.
Safety firstRemember, swimming laps in a heated pool is very different to swimming in a natural body of water. It’s essential to be prepared, train, and put safety first. “Secondly, try swimming at different times of the day and different times of the year, as well as at different locations that have a current or tide to build up your experience and properly emulate race conditions.”.
