Swimming in natural waters


Attività all'aperto, Nuoto, Sport acquatici 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
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da uomo‪»
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
349,00 €
(27)
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit Mens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da uomo‪»
Orca Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit Mens
249,00 €
(22)
Disponibile in magazzino
-23%
Head Openwater Shell 3.2.2 Lady
 
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Head Openwater Shell 3.2.2 Lady
Prezzo speciale 309,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 239,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Womens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Womens
349,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
-26%
Orca Openwater Core TRN Mens
 
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da uomo‪»
Orca Openwater Core TRN Mens
249,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 185,17 €
(2)
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Apex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da uomo‪»
Orca Apex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
699,00 €
(1)
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Athlex Flow Mens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da uomo‪»
Orca Athlex Flow Mens
599,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
-25%
Orca Openwater RS1 Thermal Womens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Orca Openwater RS1 Thermal Womens
479,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 361,54 €
(2)
Disponibile in magazzino


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.

Da -41%
Head SwimRun Multix Shorty 2.5 Womens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Head SwimRun Multix Shorty 2.5 Womens
169,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 99,90 €
(1)
Disponibile in magazzino
-21%
Orca Swimrun Core Wetsuit Womens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Orca Swimrun Core Wetsuit Womens
199,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 157,97 €
(2)
Disponibile in magazzino
-38%
Head Swimrun Rough Shorty 4.3.2 Mens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da uomo‪»
Head Swimrun Rough Shorty 4.3.2 Mens
239,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 149,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Vanir Flex Womens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Orca Vanir Flex Womens
349,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
-47%
Head Swimrun Base SL 4.2.2 Lady
 
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Head Swimrun Base SL 4.2.2 Lady
399,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 209,90 €
Disponibile in magazzino
-58%
Head Swimrun Rough Shorty 4.3.2 Womens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Head Swimrun Rough Shorty 4.3.2 Womens
239,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 99,90 €
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Vanir Flex Mens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da uomo‪»
Orca Vanir Flex Mens
349,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
-42%
Head Swimrun Aero 4.2.1 Lady
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Head Swimrun Aero 4.2.1 Lady
429,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 249,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
-20%
Head SwimRun Base Lady
 
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Head SwimRun Base Lady
489,00 €
Prezzo outlet da 390,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Mens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da uomo‪»
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Mens
599,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Womens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Womens
599,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Aesir Thermal Mens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da uomo‪»
Orca Aesir Thermal Mens
659,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Aesir Thermal Womens
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Mute da sub‪»Swimming wetsuits‪»Da donna‪»
Orca Aesir Thermal Womens
659,00 €
Disponibile in magazzino



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
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Boe per acque libere‪»
Orca Safety Buoy
54,90 €
(22)
Disponibile in magazzino
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy (TPU)
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Boe per acque libere‪»
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy (TPU)
54,90 €
(37)
Disponibile in magazzino
Zoggs Hi Viz Swim Buoy
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Boe per acque libere‪»
Zoggs Hi Viz Swim Buoy
42,90 €
(6)
Disponibile in magazzino
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy Medium
 
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Boe per acque libere‪»
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy Medium
49,90 €
(28)
Disponibile in magazzino

@ 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
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Occhialini da nuoto‪»Occhialini da nuoto per acque libere‪»
Orca Killa 180º Swimming Goggles
36,90 €
(46)
Disponibile in magazzino
Aquasphere Vista Active
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Occhialini da nuoto‪»Occhialini da nuoto per acque libere‪»
Aquasphere Vista Active
39,90 €
(5)
Disponibile in magazzino
Cressi Skylight Goggles
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Occhialini da nuoto‪»Occhialini da nuoto per acque libere‪»
Cressi Skylight Goggles
a partire da 36,90 €
(12)
Disponibile in magazzino
Seacsub Diablo
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Occhialini da nuoto‪»Occhialini da nuoto per acque libere‪»
Seacsub Diablo
29,90 €
(7)
Disponibile in magazzino


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
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Cuffie da nuoto‪»
Orca High Visibility Neoprene Swim Cap
44,90 €
(12)
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Swim Hat
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Cuffie da nuoto‪»
Orca Swim Hat
38,90 €
(18)
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Silicone Swim cap
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Cuffie da nuoto‪»
Orca Silicone Swim cap
13,90 €
(16)
Disponibile in magazzino
Head Neo Cap 3
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Cuffie da nuoto‪»
Head Neo Cap 3
34,90 €
(19)
Disponibile in magazzino

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
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Pull buoys e kickboards‪»
Speedo Elite Pullbuoy
22,90 €
(3)
Disponibile in magazzino
BornToSwim Kickboard
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Pull buoys e kickboards‪»
BornToSwim Kickboard
26,90 €
(4)
Disponibile in magazzino
Orca Pull Buoy
 
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Pull buoys e kickboards‪»
Orca Pull Buoy
26,90 €
(8)
Disponibile in magazzino
Arena Pull Kick
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Pull buoys e kickboards‪»
Arena Pull Kick
37,90 €
(2)
Disponibile in magazzino


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
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Pinne‪»Pinne da nuoto‪»
Cressi Agua Short
38,90 €
(9)
Disponibile in magazzino
Seacsub Atom
 
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Pinne‪»Pinne da nuoto‪»
Seacsub Atom
38,90 €
(19)
Disponibile in magazzino
Seacsub Team
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Pinne‪»Pinne da nuoto‪»
Seacsub Team
31,90 €
(17)
Disponibile in magazzino
Speedo Biofuse Fitness Fin
Sport‪»Immersioni in subacquea‪»Pinne‪»Pinne da nuoto‪»
Speedo Biofuse Fitness Fin
68,90 €
(3)
Disponibile in magazzino

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
 
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Guanti‪»
Finis Agility Paddles
29,90 €
(8)
Disponibile in magazzino
Speedo Aqua Glove
 
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Guanti‪»
Speedo Aqua Glove
22,90 €
(19)
Disponibile in magazzino
Arena Vortex evolution hand paddle
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Guanti‪»
Arena Vortex evolution hand paddle
25,90 €
(4)
Disponibile in magazzino
Seacsub Neoprene Swimming Glove
 
Sport‪»Nuoto‪»Guanti‪»
Seacsub Neoprene Swimming Glove
27,90 €
(4)
Disponibile in magazzino

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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