Know how to use your kit
While swimming can be a minimalist activity, you should know how to use and take care of any kit you have. Even if all you use is a costume, there’s still scope for things to do wrong. The Renaissance Swimmer should be curious, open-minded and discerning about their kit. Find out what’s out there. Ask if it will improve your swimming experience. Consider alternatives before you invest.
Here are some suggestions for the basics to get you started.
Costumes
Your swimming costume should be something you feel comfortable wearing. By this I mean it should cover the parts of your body you want to be covered. This may be context-dependent. I’ll wear swimming briefs for club training but I’ll put on jammers for a public swim session. If I’m in and out of the water at the beach, I’ll wear loose-fitting swimming shorts. For a race, I’ll squeeze into tight-fitting racing jammers. Religious or cultural expectations may also drive your choice.
Whatever you choose, make sure it won’t make your swimming unsafe. Also, be wary of chafing on long swims and use anti-chafing products accordingly. It’s a good idea to carry a spare costume as you never know when your favourite might split (I had to miss a swim recently because I didn’t follow this advice).
Just as you wouldn’t want to be judged for your choice of costume, avoid judging or commenting on other people’s choices (although a discreet word may be appropriate if someone is revealing more than they would want to).
Goggles
After choosing my costume, goggles are next on my list (unless I’m dipping and not planning on putting my face in the water or bodysurfing and not wanting to lose my goggles in the breakers). It’s usually obvious how to put on and wear goggles but you do occasionally see people wearing them upside down or overtightening the straps. Some goggles can be worn either way up. Others have shaped nose pieces or lenses and are designed to be worn one way up only. Take a moment to check. The strap should be secure enough to stop your goggles from being dislodged by a wave but not so tight that it causes your eyes to bulge or gives you a headache.
People often ask me for advice on finding the best goggles and I can’t give a simple answer as there is so much choice. You will have to experiment. If you can see clearly, and they are comfortable and don’t leak, they are right for you. You may want several pairs for different types of swimming. I use off-the-shelf prescription goggles in both the pool and open water. If you rinse and air-dry your goggles after each use, and store them in a protective case, they should last a long time.
Swim caps
I mostly wear a swimming cap in open water. It keeps my head warmer and helps keep my goggles in place. It’s best to use a brightly coloured one so other people can see you. In winter, some people like to use a neoprene cap for extra warmth. You could also wear two caps for extra warmth.
A standard silicon swimming cap is usually sufficient but there are other options. Latex caps are thinner but stretch more. Some people prefer fabric caps or may wear a fabric cap under a silicon one as they find this is kinder on their hair. If you have bountiful hair, there are not special swims caps for this.
Tow floats and tow bags
An inflatable high-visibility tow float or a tow bag can be very useful. It helps other water users see you, you can carry stuff while you swim, and it’s something to rest on while you chat or watch the seagulls. Again, it’s generally obvious how to use these but you do sometimes see people failing to close the bags properly (and then getting water inside) or having the leash at an annoying length. You’ll need to see what works best for you. I like mine to float just above my knees. If the strap is too long, I keep kicking the float. If it’s too short, it’s hard to grab the float to rest on.
Wetsuits
You can wear a wetsuit for speed and warmth. A wetsuit enables me to swim about 5 seconds per 100m faster than without and to comfortably swim for hours in cooler water. But a wetsuit will only be fully effective if you put it on properly and choose the right size. A swimming-specific or triathlon wetsuit will serve you best. Follow the manufacturers’ size guidance and care and usage instructions. A wetsuit can cause chafing, especially around your neck, so ensure you use a wetsuit-approved lubricant to protect your skin.
Take your time to put on your wetsuit. Ease the material over your skin rather than jerking it and risking a tear. Be careful with fingernails. Pull the suit as high into your crotch as comfortable and then roll any spare neoprene around your midriff up towards your chest and shoulders, where you’ll benefit most from the extra flexibility.
You’ll find many people have a favoured brand and nothing else will do. There are subtle differences in cut and features between brands and these affect how the suit feels. If you can, it’s worth trying a few brands to see if you have a preference. Also, note that a high-performance suit will cost five times or more as much as an entry-level one. For that money, you get better flexibility and speed, but you may lose on buoyancy and warmth. Consider what you will use the suit for and how often you will use it before investing.
Finally, before rushing out to buy a wetsuit, question whether you truly need it. There’s a lot of swimming you can do and enjoy without one. And swimming without arguable feels much better – having cool water on your naked skin is a delightful sensory experience. If you do get a wetsuit (say for wetsuit-compulsory events or longer swims), at least do some of your swimming without it. It’s liberating not to be dependent on a wetsuit.
Other kit
The more you swim outdoors, the more kit you seem to accumulate; changing robes, changing mats, neoprene accessories, smart watches etc. Much of this isn’t essential but can make your swimming easier, more comfortable or more fun. On the other hand, it’s extra stuff to keep track of and look after, and it’s extra expense. Be thoughtful in what you buy and in how you dispose of old kit when you no longer need it.