Swimming in natural waters


Outdoor activities, Swimming, Water sports 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.


-20%
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Men's‪»
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
Campaign price 239,20 €
(31)
Available in stock
-20%
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Womens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Women's‪»
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Womens
Campaign price 239,20 €
(6)
Available in stock
-20%
Orca Vitalis TRN Womens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Women's‪»
Orca Vitalis TRN Womens
Campaign price 223,20 €
Available in stock
From -28%
Zoggs OW Shell 3.2.2 Womens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Women's‪»
Zoggs OW Shell 3.2.2 Womens
Campaign price 330,23 €
Outlet prices from 289,00 €
Available in stock
-20%
Orca Vitalis TRN Mens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Men's‪»
Orca Vitalis TRN Mens
Campaign price 223,20 €
Available in stock
-20%
Orca Vitalis Thermal Mens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Men's‪»
Orca Vitalis Thermal Mens
Campaign price 495,20 €
(1)
Available in stock
-20%
Orca Vanir Flex Mens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Men's‪»
Orca Vanir Flex Mens
Campaign price 279,20 €
Available in stock
-20%
Zoggs Pacer Tour Shorty Mens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Men's‪»
Zoggs Pacer Tour Shorty Mens
Campaign price 210,32 €
(1)
Available in stock


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.

-20%
Orca Vanir Flex Mens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Men's‪»
Orca Vanir Flex Mens
Campaign price 279,20 €
Available in stock
From -47%
Head Swimrun Base SL 4.2.2 Lady
 
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Women's‪»
Head Swimrun Base SL 4.2.2 Lady
Campaign price 319,20 €
Outlet prices from 209,90 €
Available in stock
-20%
Orca Vanir Flex Womens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Women's‪»
Orca Vanir Flex Womens
Campaign price 279,20 €
(1)
Available in stock
From -53%
Orca Aesir Thermal Mens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Men's‪»
Orca Aesir Thermal Mens
Campaign price 527,20 €
Outlet prices from 311,77 €
Available in stock
From -29%
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Womens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Women's‪»
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Womens
Campaign price 479,20 €
Outlet prices from 428,27 €
Available in stock
From -42%
Head Swimrun Aero 4.2.1 Lady
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Women's‪»
Head Swimrun Aero 4.2.1 Lady
Campaign price 343,20 €
Outlet prices from 249,00 €
Available in stock
-20%
Head SwimRun Base Lady
 
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Women's‪»
Head SwimRun Base Lady
Campaign price 391,20 €
Outlet prices from 390,00 €
Available in stock
From -29%
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Mens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Men's‪»
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Mens
Campaign price 479,20 €
Outlet prices from 428,27 €
Available in stock
From -29%
Orca Aesir Thermal Womens
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Wetsuits‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Women's‪»
Orca Aesir Thermal Womens
Campaign price 527,20 €
Outlet prices from 471,01 €
Available in stock



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.

360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy (TPU)
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Open water buoys‪»
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy (TPU)
54,90 €
(48)
Available in stock
Orca Safety Buoy
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Open water buoys‪»
Orca Safety Buoy
54,90 €
(22)
Available in stock
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy Medium
 
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Open water buoys‪»
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy Medium
49,90 €
(38)
Available in stock
Zoggs Hi Viz Swim Buoy
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Open water buoys‪»
Zoggs Hi Viz Swim Buoy
42,90 €
(14)
Available in stock

@ 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.


Arena Cobra TRI Swipe Mirror
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Swimming goggles‪»Open water goggles‪»
Arena Cobra TRI Swipe Mirror
76,90 €
(4)
Available in stock
Orca Killa 180º Swimming Goggles
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Swimming goggles‪»Open water goggles‪»
Orca Killa 180º Swimming Goggles
36,90 €
(50)
Available in stock
Cressi Skylight Goggles
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Swimming goggles‪»Open water goggles‪»
Cressi Skylight Goggles
starting from 36,90 €
(14)
Available in stock
Seacsub Diablo
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Swimming goggles‪»Open water goggles‪»
Seacsub Diablo
29,90 €
(12)
Available in stock


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.

Speedo Long Hair Cap uimalakki
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Swim caps‪»
Speedo Long Hair Cap uimalakki
12,90 €
(7)
Available in stock
Orca Swim Hat
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Swim caps‪»
Orca Swim Hat
38,90 €
(18)
Available in stock
Arena Smart Cap
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Swim caps‪»
Arena Smart Cap
24,90 €
(8)
Available in stock
Speedo Plain Moulded Silicone Cap
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Swim caps‪»
Speedo Plain Moulded Silicone Cap
9,90 €
(2)
Available in stock

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.


Aquasphere Pull Buoy
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Pull buoys and kickboards‪»
Aquasphere Pull Buoy
21,90 €
(4)
Available in stock
Aquasphere Kickboard
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Pull buoys and kickboards‪»
Aquasphere Kickboard
27,90 €
(3)
Available in stock
BornToSwim Kickboard
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Pull buoys and kickboards‪»
BornToSwim Kickboard
26,90 €
(4)
Available in stock
Malmsten Pull buyo
 
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Pull buoys and kickboards‪»
Malmsten Pull buyo
22,90 €
Available in stock


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
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Fins‪»Swimming Fins‪»
Cressi Agua Short
38,90 €
(11)
Available in stock
Seacsub Atom
 
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Fins‪»Swimming Fins‪»
Seacsub Atom
38,90 €
(22)
Available in stock
Seacsub Team
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Fins‪»Swimming Fins‪»
Seacsub Team
31,90 €
(20)
Available in stock
Speedo Biofuse Fitness Fin
Sports‪»Scuba diving‪»Fins‪»Swimming Fins‪»
Speedo Biofuse Fitness Fin
68,90 €
(5)
Available in stock

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.


Speedo Aqua Glove
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Gloves‪»
Speedo Aqua Glove
22,90 €
(21)
Available in stock
Finis Agility Paddles
 
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Gloves‪»
Finis Agility Paddles
29,90 €
(11)
Available in stock
Arena Vortex evolution hand paddle
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Gloves‪»
Arena Vortex evolution hand paddle
25,90 €
(6)
Available in stock
Speedo Power Paddle
 
Sports‪»Swimming‪»Gloves‪»
Speedo Power Paddle
29,90 €
(4)
Available in stock

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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