Swimming Guides - OpenWaterHQ

Swimming in the Pool vs. Ocean – Which is Better?

Swimming in the pool is fun, but so is swimming in the ocean. Of course, nothing is stopping you from ...

Why Do Swimmers Slap Themselves Before a Race?

As an Olympic swimmer prepares for their big moment, they may be seen giving themselves a few good whacks on ...

Is Swimming Harder Than Running?

When it comes to choosing an effective workout, you might wonder whether swimming or running is more challenging. Both activities ...

Is Swimming Harder than Football?

When it comes to sports, many people wonder which one is more challenging: swimming or football? Well, the answer might ...

Is Swimming Harder Than Gymnastics?

You don’t often compare swimming and gymnastics, but here we are. These two sports require incredible amounts of strength, flexibility, ...

Can Swimming Be Your Only Exercise?

The idea of getting a total body workout while enjoying the cool, refreshing water is certainly enticing. You can get ...

Is Swimming the Hardest Sport?

Anyone who has ever spent an afternoon splashing around in a pool knows that swimming is a fun, refreshing way ...

Is Swimming a Sport? Top Reasons Why It Absolutely Is

Swimming has long been a popular activity for both recreation and fitness. You might wonder whether swimming is considered a ...

How to Prevent Chafing from Swim Trunks

If you've had your fun day at the beach or pool ruined by painful chafing, you're not alone. Many of ...

How to Keep Swimsuits from Fading

Swimsuits are a summer staple, but nothing is more frustrating than watching your favorite swimsuit fade away after just a ...

Open water swimming is pretty self-explanatory; it is simply swimming in any outdoor bodies of water including the open ocean, lakes, and even rivers. You can do it casually or competitively, such as in triathlons.

At the highest level, you can compete in prestigious competitions such as the FINA World Aquatics Championships, the FINA 10 km Marathon Swimming World Cup, and even at the Olympic Games. It is a discipline acknowledged across the world, as there are official events worldwide.

Wearing a wetsuit is highly recommended due to the risks involved with open water swimming. In competition, wetsuits are either permitted or restricted based on the distance of the swim and the water temperature.

In this section, we have compiled a list of all our guides related to open water swimming.