Open Water Swim Tips on Gear (Great North Swim UK )

hammomh
hammomh Posts: 43 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi so I have my first ever Open Water Swim in a months time at Lake Windermere.

I have my wetsuit, 4mm AquaSphere. I am at a bit of a loss on the gloves and socks and the head glove (is that what it is called).

Does anyone have any recommendations on these, what gloves, socks, head thing are best?

Also tips for the day, I am petrified but super excited for it! Anyone got good/bad experiences

Thanks :)

Replies

  • pixie_face
    pixie_face Posts: 5 Member
    Hey! :)
    I'm still looking for my wetsuit, it's my first time so I don't have any tips, sadly! Good to see another Great Swimmer on here though, I'll be doing the mile in Windermere on the Sunday this year. Good luck!
  • hammomh
    hammomh Posts: 43 Member
    Good Luck to you too! I am doing the mile heat on the Saturday!

    Best be getting your suit soon though, lots of places I tried were sold out, ended up ordering mine from Wiggle.co.uk as I knew which I wanted.
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    What's the water temp going to be? I swam in a lake (first part of a sprint tri) in Kansas in late May and didn't need anything but a sleeveless suit. Personally, I swim better unencumbered even though they say the wet suit adds buoyancy.
  • hammomh
    hammomh Posts: 43 Member
    Will be between 12-17 Celsius so wetsuit needed and mandatory anyway :)

    Everyone looked so cold when I watched it last year so I want to be as prepared as possible and as covered as possible too
  • pixie_face
    pixie_face Posts: 5 Member
    Should finally have my suit on Monday. Have ordered gloves and socks too, fingers crossed this relatively mild weather continues :)
  • hammomh
    hammomh Posts: 43 Member
    Hope they have arrived! Less than a week to go!

    I did a test run in the pool with my gloves, socks and hat thing (ordered one with a strap on that also covers my ears too). And it was hard! I found they got in my way and were quite restrictive but my hands and feet did get really hot so hoping they will keep me warm in Lake Windermere!

    Not tried swimming with the wetsuit on yet as I currently am incapable of getting it off by myself, so the whole lying on the floor trying to squeeze myself out of it is not too appealing :)

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