Open water swimming

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Swimmers and kayakers reach at the Mermaid Crossing in Seattle.
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Swimmers and kayakers reach at the Mermaid Crossing in Seattle.

Open water swimming is an activity in which people swim in large, outdoor bodies of water such as oceans, bays, lakes and rivers. While casual swimming in such bodies of water technically qualifies as "open water swimming," this article is limited to human long distance swimming in open water with the goals of fitness and/or competition.

The rise in popularity of triathlons, which usually include an open-water swim as the first stage (followed by cycling and running), has led to an increase in interest and participation in open water swimming. The triathlon made its Olympic debut at the Sydney Games in 2000 and involves an open water swim of 1500 meters (1.5 kilometers). Open water races of 5, 10 and 25 kilometers were included in the 2005 World Swmming Championships held on Montréal in July 2005.

There are many events around the world which attract large numbers of open water swimmers, including the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, and Escape from Alcatraz.

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[edit] Equipment

The only equipment needed for open water swimming is a swim suit. A brightly colored swim cap is recommended to enhance visibility and may be required for some organized swimming events and races.

The use of wetsuits is controversial in open water swimming, with many participants believing that wetsuits give some swimmers an uncompetitive advantage. Some open water swimmers, in fact, believe that wearing a wetsuit is contrary to the spirit of the sport, and that people who wear the suits should be the objects of derision. Unlike triathlons, which allow swimmers to wear wetsuits when the water is below a certain temperature, most open water swim races either don't allow the use of wetsuits (usually defined as anything covering the body above the thighs or below the knees), or put wetsuit-clad swimmers in a separate category and/or make them ineligible for race awards.


[edit] Swimmers

Further information: Category:Long distance swimmers

[edit] Prominent countries

[edit] Australia

Sydney is a well-known place in Australia for open water swimming.

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[edit] Canada

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[edit] New Zealand

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[edit] South Africa

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[edit] United Kingdom

The River Thames, London - Many local swimming groups hold regular events in the river. The swimming leg of the annual London Triathlon is not held in the Thames but in a separate dock adjacent to the river.

Attempts to swim the approximately 34km (21mi) distance of the English Channel are made by individuals and teams on a regular basis, in either world record attempts or charity events.

The River Westbourne and the historic lakes of Hyde Park and Regents Park in London regularly host both winter and summer swimming events held by local clubs.

Manchester Ship Canal, which has been cleaned during the regeneration of the city in the 1990's and 2000's regularly hosts the swimming event of the International Triathlon Union Salford Triathlon.

The following places are known for open water swimming:

[edit] United States

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[edit] Recommended reading

[edit] External links

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