What are
/r/OpenWaterSwimming's
favorite Products & Services?
From 3.5 billion Reddit comments
The most popular Products mentioned in /r/OpenWaterSwimming:
The most popular Services mentioned in /r/OpenWaterSwimming:
The most popular reviews in /r/OpenWaterSwimming:
Ear plugs, if you can handle any. They also make the type where it lets sound in but not water, like this one on Amazon. Or Mack's ear putty in a size that works for you. I sometimes wear it when my ear canal cannot be stuffed or has issues. I use all the aforementioned depending on the ears and my surroundings. But I don't have ear complications so I don't need any of them and can swim without.
I have these and they work pretty well: https://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Swede-Silicone-Long-Hair/dp/B00HH6VBEO
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I've also seen silicone hair wraps, where it's essentially like a long silicone scarf you wrap around your head and tie off, but can't seem to find the link for it now.
Not in SD, but do ows in some busy water. I have this one:
New Wave Swim Buoy - Swim Safety Float and Drybag for Open Water Swimmers, Triathletes, Kayakers and Snorkelers, Highly Visible Buoy Float for Safe Sw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015LNE3H6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_hMpfUFth7cj73
I got tired of "arguing" with my mentor at the local OWS spot and got this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075X1MPRW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Company makes temp probes for the regulated food industry. P.S. works very well. I have probe attached to my safety buoy. 1 minute sampling rate.
I have a waterproof instant-read kitchen thermometer. Stick the pointy end in the water and read the temperature. Very fast and accurate! I don't usually take it with me on the swim though. Something like this one:
I got this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E972VZW I’ve tied a string round it’s neck and tied it to my tow float, so it comes on nearly every swim that I do. I’m pretty sure it reads about 1°C too high, so if it says 14°C on the display I take it to be 13°C
This is how I do it. You have to be really careful when using aggregators, they can give predictions that are widely variable. Water conditions can be extremely different depending where exactly the sensor is located, especially depth.
I resorted to just buying a glass thermometer and occasionally checking myself once in a while. I was able to find a buoy that closely corresponds with my own readings so I trust that on days when I don't measure.
This is the one that I use. I keep a Ziploc freezer bag inside it, where I'll put my car key and phone.
I have one of those and love it. I put my keys in the dry pocket. I want to carry proper running shoes. I was thinking about this
That is awesome! Thanks so much again. For what it's worth I just bought some of this on amazon. If you can believe it the NY times reviewed it pretty highly :).
The best wetsuit is the one that you’ve taken the time to put on right and have it snugged up in all the places (arm pits and crotch). If you have a local place that rents suits, that’s your best bet to find what works for you. If I just had to throw money at it and guess, I’d go with the BlueSeventy reaction thermal (https://www.blueseventy.com/products/thermal-reaction-mens), last years model is on sale but sizing is limited. That is a suit built for swimming. A must buy is the BlueSeventy neoprene cap. And you may want a silicon cap to pop on over that one to add an extra layer and keep the thermal neoprene one nice and tight against your head.
I use the zone3 heat-tech gloves (ZONE3 Neoprene Heat-Tech Warmth Swim Gloves https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0855R17XK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_03RYQNCSB424B6AJF79Y) and absolutely love them! Hands are always comfortable. I don’t bother tucking the gloves under the sleeve of my suit. They have a good seal and then with the Velcro strap, they aren’t excessively letting water in and out.
Neoprene socks I just bought some cheap ones off Amazon. They are branded with Slinx on them but a bunch of different importers on Amazon carry the same ones, so look around a bit. I’m happy with the cheap socks. Tuck the tops of the socks into the wetsuit leg.
If you are getting your head in the water, get earplugs. Plug those holes to your head. The cold water getting in there can cause nausea and also drop your body temp faster.
You can have a target time to get out, but listen to your body and anyone around you to call it quits and cut it short. They might see something going on with you that you don’t realize. Always err on the side of safety when in cold water. Don’t try to push it that extra minute, because you’ve got the after drop to deal with where you core is still dropping in temp after you’re out of the water. You can potentially be at your coldest 15-30 min after the swim.
I got my brother these for his enormous size 14 feet. I have a pair too. They keep my feet warm in 40 degree water.
First, I would become more mindful of safety issues such as checking weather forecasts, having knowledge of tidal streams and rip currents, and telling others about your daily swim plan. Swimming along the coastline may be safest. Marine navigation skills could be important and I spend 12 pages reviewing these in Crete Swim. For example, you would sight a heading to compensate for drift due to wind and current, and this is learned through practice. For race training, you could define a course (landmark to landmark) and aim to improve your times. A GPS watch like the Garmin Swim 2 could help. Adjusting your swim technique (breathing, stroke, kick) to quickly adapt to changing conditions and goals is also important. For example, when sighting more frequently, a stronger kick is needed to maintain a streamlined (horizontal) body position in the water.
Good idea - tracking the water temp as you are describing. I do this as well in a spreadsheet, that includes water temp, weather/water condition, time in water, neoprene used, afterdrop symptoms as well. It helps you get a clear idea of your personal tolerance, etc. and fine tune what is the sweet spot for time in water for given temp, etc. I have used a few different thermometers. My best one was a specialty one used for a pharmacy fridge, but wasn't water proof so eventually I killed it. oops. My most recent one is this one https://www.amazon.ca/Extech-TM20-Waterproof-Temperature-Indicator/dp/B00CDQ28H2/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_rp_c_2_1/133-5742446-3510061?pd_rd_w=uMdpW&pf_rd_p=e68944f8-1a46-4a3f-abdc-a3021289e36b&pf_rd_r=D2TSCHXVDPTS1S5DN46B&pd_rd_r=ef6c95a8-1c77-4349-92cb-15fbb33edeef&pd_rd_wg=OGtrZ&pd_rd_i=B00CDQ28H2&psc=1
I prefer the ones with a wire/cable so you can put the sensor deeper in the water versus just on the surface. I have found with the thermometers I have used, you have to wait at least 1 minute with the sensor submerged to get an accurate reading. Keep in mind the temperature may be lower as you go further out in the water.
I'm in the exact same boat. First of all — I'm so sorry how frustrating it is. Our sport is so inclusive in that so many different types of athletes can thrive in ows. It is truly so frustrating that companies have not gotten the memo. I've gone through this saga and I'll give you my cliffnotes/address some of the comments below:
- The Xterra men size XXL was still too small for me. I'm a size 16 but couldn't get it to be comfortable enough to swim in
- NRS wetsuit is not at all comfortable for swimming
- For a cold water race I did this summer, wetsuits were required. I was *freaking out* because my xterra didn't fit, the NRS didn't fit. On a whim, I ordered a Henderson which is meant for diving. Honestly, it was totally fine for swimming. It was a long race but I didn't feel like my lack of a competitive wetsuit hindered me at all. I got it in a size 16, but it was SO stretchy that I ended up also getting the 14. I still have the 16, if you want to try it, message me and I'll mail it to you. Check out the measurements on the link I sent above.
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I saw quite a few extended size athletes wearing this wetsuit in a men's size. I think I'm going to try that out for next year.
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Best of luck to you and your ows endeavors!
I tow a paddle board in the winter (and in unfamiliar places year round) so I can get out of the water quickly if I start to get too hypothermic. In warmer months my "buoy" is actually one of the cheap horse-collar type PFDs because I just happened to have one around. An inflatable PFD won't offer much protection against events that take you out quickly, like a heart attack or stroke, and since you'll still be in the water, it won't help with hypothermia. A buoy is just as effective as a PFD if all you need is something to hang onto for a minute to catch your breath or get a cramp to release.
There are some manually inflatable snorkeling vests that are pretty comfortable, so you can certainly do that if it makes you feel more comfortable (Link). I haven't used one for swimming though, and my concern would neck chafing from the shoulder straps since the material is pretty stiff.
Honestly, I'd suggest a kid's paddle board and a kayak paddle over an inflatable vest. (Example). If you're sitting down, a kid's board can easily support an adult and it's easier to handle. Strap a dry bag with some basic safety gear and an emergency blanket to it and you're pretty well set for self rescue.
get one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Swimming-Highly-Visible-Silicone/dp/B01MSBMO1B
tell someone where youre going.
swim parallel to the shore, its about 400-600m between lifeguard towers.
now go swim!
Mandatory for OWS IMO
New Wave Swim Buoy - Swim Safety Float and Drybag for Open Water Swimmers Triathletes Kayakers Snorkelers, Open Water Swim Buoy Float for Safer Swim Training (PVC 15 Liter Yellow) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B014Z9BPQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_t.nHFbZZP3834
Happy to help. I got this whistle and this compass.
I noticed the compass didn't float in salt water so I ran the lanyard through a little fishing float.
Everyone at Aquatic Park uses these lights. They are the best for being seen without blinding. Just make sure it’s steady and not blinking. Adventure Lights
Interested in this too, planning for a few months from now...right now my leading more cheap option is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Underwater-Headlight/dp/B07TSJ6D6Z
When you acquire one, please report back!