Swimming in natural waters


Aktivitäten im Freien, Schwimmen, Wassersport by Varuste.net / Toimisto-Jorma, 24.4.2023

See the nature from a different angle, feel refreshed in cool water, and enjoy the peace around you and your own space. Open water swimming brings some wonderful variety to your everyday life and your swimming hobby. In this country of thousands of lakes, with a lot of maritime coastline, you will have no problem finding water to swim in, if you just have the courage. At the time of the writing of this article, it is summer, and waters are wonderfully warm.

Another benefit of natural waters is that in the summer season, indoor swimming pools are often under maintenance. We recommend you change the pool lanes for the lapping of the waves, at least once in a while.

Swimming in natural waters is such a nice activity that once you have a taste of it (if you already haven’t during the summer/spring), you would like to extend the swimming season even longer. But when it is getting too dark after work and waters are starting to transform into more solid form, it is also nice to start going to the inside pools again.

Thinking of blue-green algae, waters are pretty clean in many places, but the situation varies. You can check current algal situations on the website of Finland’s environmental administration, Environment.fi

Tips: If you are active in the waters in other respects, too, and you are wondering whether it is blue-green algae, pollen, or some other stuff, we recommend to use an easy-to-use test for detection of blue-green algae. You can take the test with you in your swimming backpack or test the water on the shore before getting into the water.


You can do open-water swimming in many ways. Let’s go through some tips and thoughts of the gear you need for different activities. Even though waters are at their warmest in the middle of the summer, it is good to wear a suit if you spend a long time in the water. A swimming wetsuit also extends your swimming season significantly in the autumn (and makes it possible to start the season earlier in the spring).

Isolation is not the only benefit of a wetsuit: it can help you achieve better floating and optimize your swimming posture, depending on different purposes. Leisure and recreational suits are structured in a different way than training and race suits, for example.


Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Männer‪»
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
349,00 €
(27)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit Mens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Männer‪»
Orca Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit Mens
249,00 €
(22)
Auf Lager verfügbar
-23%
Head Openwater Shell 3.2.2 Lady
 
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Head Openwater Shell 3.2.2 Lady
Speziellpreis 309,00 €
Outletpreise ab 239,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Womens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Womens
349,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
-26%
Orca Openwater Core TRN Mens
 
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Männer‪»
Orca Openwater Core TRN Mens
249,00 €
Outletpreise ab 185,17 €
(2)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Apex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Männer‪»
Orca Apex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
699,00 €
(1)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Athlex Flow Mens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Männer‪»
Orca Athlex Flow Mens
599,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
-25%
Orca Openwater RS1 Thermal Womens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Orca Openwater RS1 Thermal Womens
479,00 €
Outletpreise ab 361,54 €
(2)
Auf Lager verfügbar


For those who want more for swimming.

@ Kuva: Orca


Swimrun is an extremely fun sport form with different swimming and running sections. You don’t change your clothes between the sections, you do the whole thing wearing one wetsuit.

The design of the swimrun suits takes into consideration the run part as well as the nature of the sport so that there is some extra floating quality to the thighs. All the seamings are done carefully so that they would chafe as little as possible during the run.

Ab -41%
Head SwimRun Multix Shorty 2.5 Womens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Head SwimRun Multix Shorty 2.5 Womens
169,00 €
Outletpreise ab 99,90 €
(1)
Auf Lager verfügbar
-21%
Orca Swimrun Core Wetsuit Womens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Orca Swimrun Core Wetsuit Womens
199,00 €
Outletpreise ab 157,97 €
(2)
Auf Lager verfügbar
-38%
Head Swimrun Rough Shorty 4.3.2 Mens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Männer‪»
Head Swimrun Rough Shorty 4.3.2 Mens
239,00 €
Outletpreise ab 149,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Vanir Flex Womens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Orca Vanir Flex Womens
349,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
-47%
Head Swimrun Base SL 4.2.2 Lady
 
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Head Swimrun Base SL 4.2.2 Lady
399,00 €
Outletpreise ab 209,90 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
-58%
Head Swimrun Rough Shorty 4.3.2 Womens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Head Swimrun Rough Shorty 4.3.2 Womens
239,00 €
Outletpreise ab 99,90 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Vanir Flex Mens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Männer‪»
Orca Vanir Flex Mens
349,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
-42%
Head Swimrun Aero 4.2.1 Lady
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Head Swimrun Aero 4.2.1 Lady
429,00 €
Outletpreise ab 249,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
-20%
Head SwimRun Base Lady
 
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Head SwimRun Base Lady
489,00 €
Outletpreise ab 390,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Mens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Männer‪»
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Mens
599,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Womens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Womens
599,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Aesir Thermal Mens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Männer‪»
Orca Aesir Thermal Mens
659,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Aesir Thermal Womens
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Neoprenanzüge‪»Neoprenanzüge zum Schwimmen‪»Frauen‪»
Orca Aesir Thermal Womens
659,00 €
Auf Lager verfügbar



Don’t forget the buoy – swimmer’s safe equipment no 1:

A swimming aid, a float, and a dry bag for swimmers and triathletes.


The float supports your weight being simple, efficient, and safe. Thanks to the bright colours, the swimmer is visible in the water. You can put your keys or wallet inside the bag and take them with you. Can be inflated easily by blowing. It is not a lifeboat, but you will get seen easily. The floats have an amazing buoyancy, and it will help you significantly if you need to rest in the water or try to get rid of a leg cramp, etc.

We still recommend to plan your swimming route by avoiding other water traffic and staying close to the shore (or get a friend to row next to you if you want to go further off the shore).

The float is attached to your hip with a strap and thus follows you easily. You can choose between buoys made of PVC plastic and buoys made of TPU fabric.

And even though buoys are watertight, we recommend to keep you valuables in a separate waterproof bag meant particularly for them.

Orca Safety Buoy
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Bojen für Freiwasser‪»
Orca Safety Buoy
54,90 €
(22)
Auf Lager verfügbar
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy (TPU)
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Bojen für Freiwasser‪»
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy (TPU)
54,90 €
(37)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Zoggs Hi Viz Swim Buoy
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Bojen für Freiwasser‪»
Zoggs Hi Viz Swim Buoy
42,90 €
(6)
Auf Lager verfügbar
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy Medium
 
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Bojen für Freiwasser‪»
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy Medium
49,90 €
(28)
Auf Lager verfügbar

@ Kuva: Orca

Swimming goggles are a must when swimming in lakes and seas. Compared to normal swimming goggles, open water goggles are a little bit larger and their field of view is wider. You can of course use them in swimming pools, too.


Orca Killa 180º Swimming Goggles
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Schwimmbrillen‪»Schwimmbrillen für Freiwasser‪»
Orca Killa 180º Swimming Goggles
36,90 €
(46)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Aquasphere Vista Active
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Schwimmbrillen‪»Schwimmbrillen für Freiwasser‪»
Aquasphere Vista Active
39,90 €
(5)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Cressi Skylight Goggles
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Schwimmbrillen‪»Schwimmbrillen für Freiwasser‪»
Cressi Skylight Goggles
ab 36,90 €
(12)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Seacsub Diablo
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Schwimmbrillen‪»Schwimmbrillen für Freiwasser‪»
Seacsub Diablo
29,90 €
(7)
Auf Lager verfügbar


A cap is a great addition to your open water swimming gear. Your head won’t be cold (which could be a real problem especially when it's cold outside), you’ll keep your hair in order, and thanks to the bright colours of the open water caps, you’ll be seen by boatsmen and other people in the waters.

Orca High Visibility Neoprene Swim Cap
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Schwimmkappen‪»
Orca High Visibility Neoprene Swim Cap
44,90 €
(12)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Swim Hat
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Schwimmkappen‪»
Orca Swim Hat
38,90 €
(18)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Silicone Swim cap
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Schwimmkappen‪»
Orca Silicone Swim cap
13,90 €
(16)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Head Neo Cap 3
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Schwimmkappen‪»
Head Neo Cap 3
34,90 €
(19)
Auf Lager verfügbar

Variety for swimming and resistance for training: there are many kinds of training tools available. There are kickboards, paddles, pullbuoys, posture correctors, snorkels, restraining devices, pacers, lap counters, and many other things.

Here are some of the most popular pullbuoys, designed especially for swimrun (with straps to make it easier to carry them with you while running). There are many kinds of basic pullbuoys available. Kickboards, available in many models and colours, are great tools to train your kick technique.


Speedo Elite Pullbuoy
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Pull buoys und kickboards‪»
Speedo Elite Pullbuoy
22,90 €
(3)
Auf Lager verfügbar
BornToSwim Kickboard
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Pull buoys und kickboards‪»
BornToSwim Kickboard
26,90 €
(4)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Orca Pull Buoy
 
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Pull buoys und kickboards‪»
Orca Pull Buoy
26,90 €
(8)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Arena Pull Kick
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Pull buoys und kickboards‪»
Arena Pull Kick
37,90 €
(2)
Auf Lager verfügbar


With swim fins, you get resistance for your leg training or fun and fast variety for basic swimming. Choose a well-fitting size: if the fins are too big, they will flap on your feet and you will tense your toes trying to keep the fins on, which can cause cramps or at least a great muscle tension on your feet. Cramps are probable also if the fins are too small: feet will be squeezed causing same kinds of painful problems.

Even if the fin size is good, you can still get cramps especially in colder waters more easily than in normal conditions. That’s why it’s good to remember that when you train fin technique and/or swim in colder waters, you need to keep yourself well hydrated. It has also been said that potassium and magnesium help to keep the cramps away. We don’t know for sure if it’s true, but for me, they really have helped. For hydration, I have taken High5 effervescent tablets. They are easy to drop into a water bottle and they don’t taste too bad either. Works in many sports for me. And to ensure that I get enough potassium, I have a banana in my sports bag (the famous banana in a sports bag! Remember to eat it, don’t forget it at the bottom of the bag. The mess and the smell – not good.)

You can choose the fin size based on your normal foot size. If you are uncertain, choose the smaller one.



Cressi Agua Short
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Flossen‪»Schwimmflossen‪»
Cressi Agua Short
38,90 €
(9)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Seacsub Atom
 
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Flossen‪»Schwimmflossen‪»
Seacsub Atom
38,90 €
(19)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Seacsub Team
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Flossen‪»Schwimmflossen‪»
Seacsub Team
31,90 €
(17)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Speedo Biofuse Fitness Fin
Sportarten‪»Tauchen‪»Flossen‪»Schwimmflossen‪»
Speedo Biofuse Fitness Fin
68,90 €
(3)
Auf Lager verfügbar

For example, the Arena Elite paddle in our selection is an easy and good paddle for all swimming styles. It is easy to train with, and it won't strain your shoulders too much either. If you haven’t swum with a paddle before, train wisely first and find a good technique. If you start swimming hard with a bad technique, you will have pain in your rotator cuff (how do I know that? Well, I just know, and it will take a long time to heal…) Thanks to its small size, suitable also for younger people for their first paddle.

Using swim gloves from Speedo and Head, you will swim much faster. Suitable also for an additional resistance for your training, for swimrun or hydrobic activities, for example.


Finis Agility Paddles
 
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Handschuhe‪»
Finis Agility Paddles
29,90 €
(8)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Speedo Aqua Glove
 
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Handschuhe‪»
Speedo Aqua Glove
22,90 €
(19)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Arena Vortex evolution hand paddle
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Handschuhe‪»
Arena Vortex evolution hand paddle
25,90 €
(4)
Auf Lager verfügbar
Seacsub Neoprene Swimming Glove
 
Sportarten‪»Schwimmen‪»Handschuhe‪»
Seacsub Neoprene Swimming Glove
27,90 €
(4)
Auf Lager verfügbar

Go and enjoy the natural waters! If you are interested but don't really know where to start or whether you even like it at all, we can be partial and recommend FitPit courses, organised in the capital area and in Turku region in Finland. There are courses from beginners to competition level.

For the elementary course, it’s enough if you can swim 200 m. The rest of the skills will be learned during the course. If you want to become a skilful swimmer, you need to train outside the course, too, but I’m sure you will find people at the course to train with. For experienced swimmers, on the other hand, the course can give new ideas for their technique and friends to train with, too.

If you try once, you will get hooked, I promise. Have a nice and safe time swimming!

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