Swimming kit
Some of the essentials (and not so essentials!) you’ll need for swimming outdoors are:
A swimsuit / swim shorts / trunks
A towel
A tow float - some people wouldn’t consider this essential but for us it’s an absolute must for visibility - helping to make you a bit more visible to boats, jet skis and other swimmers and water users - and if you get one with a dry bag included, you can store your car keys and phone in it
Neoprene socks - we would tend to wear these even in summer as they give your feet a bit of protection and in Winter are a must as your extremities get cold very quickly
A changing robe - as the name suggests, these are great for getting changed under, as well as for helping you warm up quickly after your swim
A swimming cap - for more serious swimmers, these help with aerodynamics but we use them for visibility in the water - a bright coloured one is ideal.
A woolly hat - we have a hat in our swimming bag all year round. In summer, we wear them after a swim to help us heat up and in colder weather we also wear them during a swim! You lose heat quickly through your head so we consider hats essential
A flask with a hot drink - another way to help you heat up quickly even in Summer
A snack
A wetsuit - some people swim all year round without one but we wouldn’t be without ours in Winter to help us enjoy the water for as long as possible
Clean, dry, warm clothes - that are easy to put on after your swim…layers are best as is anything that requires minimal effort with cold hands!
Warm socks and gloves - even in Summer these are in our swimming bags
Changing mat - although not essential, a changing mat helps stop you getting muddy if you’re swimming in more remote areas and protects your feet and wetsuit…there are also many available that double as a bag.