Gear for winter swimming
I was recently asked to describe the gear that winter swimmers use to brave the cold. As the conversation drew on and the list grew longer, I realized that my personal kit is the result of years of my own trying on and tossing away, eavesdropping on other swimmers, learning and relearning. The list keeps growing! What’s in your swim kit?
PRE-SWIM
Conditions report. Include air temp, water temp, currents, storms, wind chill, any human made and natural hazards
Buddy up! Always swim with a buddy. In cold conditions when the combined air + water temps = <100F, consider shore support with one buddy on land while the other buddy is swimming.
Basic first aid kit with a splint, tourniquet, and CPR mask. Include a sleeping bag, rope, scissors and tweezers for good measure.
For walking from the car to the water and back again
Water resistant, fleece lined zip-up swim poncho or cozy hooded fuzzy
Flip flops
IN THE WATER
Swimsuit. One piece or bikini — aim for one that’s easy to remove with frozen fingers. Retail tip: Carry large size suits for all body types. Open water swimmers are happily thicker around the middle than other endurance athletes.
Swimcap. I love my hot pink super soft silicone cap with Lisa Y’s homemade Yeti Swim logo. Retail tip: Carry a variety of caps for all swimmer types (eg. SoulCaps for natural hair). Many swimmers with long natural hair are not able to wear the tight-fitting silicone and latex caps. Bright colors save lives, and fun messaging makes us happy.
Goggles. My favorite is the clear lens Aquasphere Cayman for small faces. Retail tip: Every swimmer has their favorite goggle. Carry high quality goggles with continuous nose arch design, a reliable suction seal, comfortable fit, and a variety of lens shades (clear, amber, blue, etc).
Swim buoy. The Joto single chamber buoy has the most reliable non-leaking valve that I’ve seen, but no storage bladder. Use a sharpie to mark pertinent medical and emergency contact information on the buoy - make it easy for others to help in an emergency. Retail tip: High-visibility colors save lives. Carry 3 styles: 1 with storage bladder, 1 without storage bladder, 1 whimsical design like a ducky or swan.
Safety whistle. Pea-less whistles work in wet environments. Cheap, hi-vis, great to have on hand. Retail tip: Package a safety whistle with the swim buoy.
Headlamp. The brighter the better! Retail tip: Carry lightweight water-resistant headlamps. This goes inside the swim buoy and will get wet. Swimmer tip: Store the headlamp in a Ziploc bag before putting it in the swim buoy.
Thermometer. I love my plastic bathtub crab on a string. it’s accurate within one degree. A simple pool thermometer will do, or you can go for the fancy infrared thermometer to get a temp reading without getting wet.
Sports watch with light. I use a $30 Timex Ironman and track my time from the moment of entry, through the swim duration, and recovery from water exit to shivers to full color and flow back in every finger and toe.
Swim fins. For swimmers who want to move faster, or for snorkelers, free divers or scuba divers. Comfort is key. Consider wearing neoprene booties for extra warmth.
Neoprene. For keeping the heat closer to your body
Cap. Can be worn under or over a swim cap.
Gloves or mittens. Retail tip: Kayak gloves are great for this. Look for products with wrist straps to minimize seepage. Ease of removal is key in cold conditions to save precious recovery time.
Booties. Same as above, but unlike kayak booties, there is no need for hard soles here.
Wetsuit. For those wanting full coverage, look for triathlon-style suits designed for ease of swimming movement and quick removal.
OUT OF THE WATER
Rubber bin. A plastic dishpan or medium size Rubbermaid bin to stand in while rinsing off with a gallon of very warm tap water from home. This serves as a great storage bin for all your gear dry or wet.
Gallon jug of very warm water to rinse your body. An empty milk jug is great for this.
Towel. Any kind will do. I use a cheap old bath towel
Merino wool. Merino wool is the BEST. It goes on wet skin, it keeps you warm when wet, it’s soft. Worth every penny.
Base layer top and bottom
Socks
Hat
Gloves
Thermos with hot beverage to drink
Click-it gel heat pads or hot water bottle. Collect various sizes to warm up the core and shoulders, hands and feet
Water resistant, fleece lined gear
Hooded long-length zip-up poncho like what college swimmers wear, or a giant terrycloth beach poncho, or a converted sleeping bag cozy like a Rumpl.
Cozy waterproof boots. Buy for warmth, dryness, quality. Worth every penny.
Warm jumpsuit / onesie
Mittens to be cozy
SUPPORT PEOPLE
PFD w/ whistle. Essential
Dry bag w / first aid kit, hydration, snack, sunglasses, hat, neoprene, gloves, sunscreen, pertinent medical and emergency contact information
Cell phone or other communication device – keep it dry in a Ziploc bag
Boat with paddle
Sit-on top or foot-pedal kayaks offer the best overall stability and versatility. The inflatable Hobie is lightweight and easy to travel, easy to store.
Flatwater or recreation kayak. Seen everywhere, this is cost effective and lightweight, generally stable.
SUP. Seen everywhere, this is cost effective and lightweight
AFTER SWIM
For the hilarity of the re-warming process
Portable sauna
Camping table with pop up cook stove
Hammock w/sleeping bag
Camp chairs
Treats! Did we hear burrito casserole and buttery hot cocoa?
Pull-up bar, Soccer ball, frisbee, hackeysack, slack line for Yeti Crossfit!
HYPOTHERMIA IS NO JOKE. Swim to swim another day. Be mindful of all the things that could flip the switch from a great water day to a tragic day. Keep track of yourself and your friends. Look out for swimmers with slowing movements, lack of mental clarity, nausea, and pale coloring. Help a swimmer get out of the cold, wet and into the warm, dry quickly. Stay with them, get warm together, keep them alert and alive. And revel in that amazing sunrise swim you just shared.
