Swimming in natural waters


Friluftsliv, Svømming, Vannsport 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
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Menn sine‪»
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
Kampanje pris 239,20 €
(30)
I lager
-20%
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Womens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Kvinnene sine‪»
Orca Athlex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Womens
Kampanje pris 239,20 €
(5)
I lager
-20%
Orca Apex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Menn sine‪»
Orca Apex Float Triathlon Wetsuit Mens
Kampanje pris 559,20 €
(1)
I lager
-20%
Orca Vitalis TRN Mens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Menn sine‪»
Orca Vitalis TRN Mens
Kampanje pris 223,20 €
I lager
-20%
Orca Vitalis TRN Womens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Kvinnene sine‪»
Orca Vitalis TRN Womens
Kampanje pris 223,20 €
I lager
Fra -28%
Zoggs OW Multix VL 2.5 Fullsuit Mens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Menn sine‪»
Zoggs OW Multix VL 2.5 Fullsuit Mens
Kampanje pris 162,69 €
Utsalgspris fra 144,00 €
I lager
-20%
Orca Vitalis Shorty Mens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Menn sine‪»
Orca Vitalis Shorty Mens
Kampanje pris 159,20 €
I lager
-20%
Zoggs Hypex Tour FS Mens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Menn sine‪»
Zoggs Hypex Tour FS Mens
Kampanje pris 335,92 €
I lager


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
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Menn sine‪»
Orca Vanir Flex Mens
Kampanje pris 279,20 €
I lager
-20%
Orca Vanir Flex Womens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Kvinnene sine‪»
Orca Vanir Flex Womens
Kampanje pris 279,20 €
I lager
Fra -53%
Orca Aesir Thermal Mens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Menn sine‪»
Orca Aesir Thermal Mens
Kampanje pris 527,20 €
Utsalgspris fra 311,77 €
I lager
Fra -27%
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Womens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Kvinnene sine‪»
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Womens
Kampanje pris 479,20 €
Utsalgspris fra 437,39 €
I lager
Fra -42%
Head Swimrun Aero 4.2.1 Lady
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Kvinnene sine‪»
Head Swimrun Aero 4.2.1 Lady
Kampanje pris 343,20 €
Utsalgspris fra 249,00 €
I lager
-20%
Head SwimRun Base Lady
 
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Kvinnene sine‪»
Head SwimRun Base Lady
Kampanje pris 391,20 €
Utsalgspris fra 390,00 €
I lager
Fra -47%
Head Swimrun Base SL 4.2.2 Lady
 
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Kvinnene sine‪»
Head Swimrun Base SL 4.2.2 Lady
Kampanje pris 319,20 €
Utsalgspris fra 209,90 €
I lager
Fra -27%
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Mens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Menn sine‪»
Orca Aesir Flex Swimrun Wetsuit Mens
Kampanje pris 479,20 €
Utsalgspris fra 437,39 €
I lager
Fra -27%
Orca Aesir Thermal Womens
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Våtdrakter‪»Våtdrakter for svømming‪»Kvinnene sine‪»
Orca Aesir Thermal Womens
Kampanje pris 527,20 €
Utsalgspris fra 480,95 €
I lager



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.

-19%
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy (TPU)
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Bøyer med åpent vann‪»
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy (TPU)
Kampanje pris 44,54 €
(48)
I lager
-20%
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy Medium
 
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Bøyer med åpent vann‪»
360swim SaferSwimmer Safety Buoy Medium
Kampanje pris 39,92 €
(38)
I lager
-20%
Orca Safety Buoy
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Bøyer med åpent vann‪»
Orca Safety Buoy
Kampanje pris 43,92 €
(22)
I lager
-20%
Zoggs Hi Viz Swim Buoy
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Bøyer med åpent vann‪»
Zoggs Hi Viz Swim Buoy
Kampanje pris 34,32 €
(13)
I lager

@ 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.


-20%
Orca Killa 180º Swimming Goggles
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Svømmebriller‪»Åpen vann svømmebriller‪»
Orca Killa 180º Swimming Goggles
Kampanje pris 29,52 €
(50)
I lager
-20%
Aquasphere Kayenne Pro
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Svømmebriller‪»Åpen vann svømmebriller‪»
Aquasphere Kayenne Pro
Kampanje pris fra 27,92 €
(2)
I lager
-20%
Arena Cobra TRI Swipe Mirror
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Svømmebriller‪»Åpen vann svømmebriller‪»
Arena Cobra TRI Swipe Mirror
Kampanje pris 61,52 €
(4)
I lager
Cressi Skylight Goggles843607515443
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Svømmebriller‪»Åpen vann svømmebriller‪»
Cressi Skylight Goggles843607515443
fra 36,90 €
(14)
I lager


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.

-20%
Speedo Long Hair Cap uimalakki
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Svømmehatter‪»
Speedo Long Hair Cap uimalakki
Kampanje pris 10,32 €
(7)
I lager
-20%
Speedo Pace Cap
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Svømmehatter‪»
Speedo Pace Cap
Kampanje pris 12,72 €
(10)
I lager
-20%
Orca Swim Hat
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Svømmehatter‪»
Orca Swim Hat
Kampanje pris 31,12 €
(18)
I lager
-20%
Arena Smart Cap
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Svømmehatter‪»
Arena Smart Cap
Kampanje pris 19,92 €
(8)
I lager

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.


-20%
Speedo Elite Pullbuoy
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Pull buoys og kickboards‪»
Speedo Elite Pullbuoy
Kampanje pris 22,32 €
(5)
I lager
-20%
Aquasphere Pull Buoy
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Pull buoys og kickboards‪»
Aquasphere Pull Buoy
Kampanje pris 17,52 €
(4)
-20%
Aquasphere Kickboard
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Pull buoys og kickboards‪»
Aquasphere Kickboard
Kampanje pris 22,32 €
(2)
I lager
-20%
BornToSwim Pull Buoy
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Pull buoys og kickboards‪»
BornToSwim Pull Buoy
Kampanje pris 17,52 €
(2)
I lager


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
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Finner‪»Svømmefinner‪»
Cressi Agua Short
38,90 €
(11)
I lager
-19%
Seacsub Atom
 
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Finner‪»Svømmefinner‪»
Seacsub Atom
Kampanje pris 31,33 €
(20)
I lager
-20%
Seacsub Team
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Finner‪»Svømmefinner‪»
Seacsub Team
Kampanje pris 25,52 €
(19)
I lager
-20%
Speedo Biofuse Fitness Fin
Arter‪»Dykking‪»Finner‪»Svømmefinner‪»
Speedo Biofuse Fitness Fin
Kampanje pris 55,12 €
(5)
I lager

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.


-20%
Speedo Aqua Glove
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Hansker‪»
Speedo Aqua Glove
Kampanje pris 18,32 €
(21)
I lager
-5%
Finis Agility Paddles
 
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Hansker‪»
Finis Agility Paddles
Kampanje pris 28,51 €
(9)
I lager
-20%
Arena Vortex evolution hand paddle
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Hansker‪»
Arena Vortex evolution hand paddle
Kampanje pris 20,72 €
(6)
I lager
-20%
Seacsub Hand Paddle Pro
 
Arter‪»Svømming‪»Hansker‪»
Seacsub Hand Paddle Pro
Kampanje pris 11,92 €
(7)
I lager

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!

Du kan også være interessert i

Syksyn Garmin -uutuudet

Garmin Fenix 8 tuo useita merkittäviä päivityksiä verrattuna aiempiin Fenix 7 -malleihin. Suurin muutos on AMOLED-näyttö, joka parantaa visuaalista kokemusta entistä kirkkaammalla ja värikkäämmällä 1 000 nitin näytöllä. Tämä tuo Fenix-sarjan lähemmäksi älykellojen näyttöteknologi...

Heat Experience – Warmth from the North

Heat Experience brings warmth exactly where it's needed most. Founded in Norway in 2016, Heat Experience is dedicated to designing and manufacturing battery-heated clothing and accessories that keep users warm even in Arctic conditions. Whether you're ice fishing, in a hockey are...

Shell layers – breathable protection against the weather

In collaboration with RAB Shell garments are essential gear for outdoor enthusiasts, providing protection from rain and wind while maintaining breathability during active use. In this article, we will cover the types of shell jackets, seam sealing techniques, and important techn...