Nerves are unavoidable, but you should feel a wave of excitement as you start your journey to open water!
Of course, you will quickly notice how different swimming in seas, rivers, lakes and the rest of the outdoors is to chlorinated pools.
Lapping, if it’s even possible, is now defined by natural features and no longer neatly chunked into 100-metre back and forths. There are no markings to guide you, no assurances of warm conditions, nor any official rules to govern your behaviour.
Does that sound daunting? Well, it doesn't have to be.
No two swims in open water are ever the same.
Out there, depths descend and your confines expand. Wildlife may even come to play as you outstretch strokes and thread freely towards ever-retreating horizons. For many, this is liberation like you’ve never felt before, enhanced in a natural setting that serves to remind you of your wild roots.
Let’s explore a few things you need to know before you start your open water swimming journey.
“Out there, depths descend and your confines expand..."
Safety is crucial as you dive in, expand your skills and spend longer swimming outdoors.
What To Know Before You Dive In
The open water is exciting, but there are obvious dangers and things to be aware of before you take that first leap:
| FOCUS | NOTES |
|---|---|
| ENTRY | On our trips we will always choose safe starting points. You may be climbing down the ladder of a boat or walking in from a shingle beach. We often invite you firstly into sheltered spots, like bays and lakes. Before we ease into our swim, travelling parallel to the shore, in groups of similarly paced swimmers. |
| SAFETY | There are a few things to remember in terms of safety as you start out. It's best to never swim alone. Buddy up and swim in groups as we do on our trips. Enter the water gradually to avoid panic. You may find it harder to keep a rhythm than it is in a flat pool. Stay calm and relaxed, supported by other swimmers. If you need to stop and rest, you can always do so. Simply float on your back until your heart rate slows. Of course, you need to stay hydrated at all times as well. |
| SKILLS | Sighting is a core skill that is essential as you learn to navigate open water, with fingers reaching out ahead of you and peeling back the murk. A higher head position and stronger kick is useful for better stability in waves. There are no distance markers, so you will need to lift your head slightly between strokes. On our trips, you can look for our coloured swim caps, as well as landmarks and nearby support kayaks, or the boat. Practice keeping your body level as you look up, without slowing or taking on water. Stroke timing is trickier in choppy water, and you may need to try bilateral breathing to pick sides as waves jump around you, or to avoid glaring sunlight. |
| CONDITIONS | On our trips, guides will instruct you on what conditions to expect each day. Tides, currents and wind are always changing. The weather can be unpredictable. Yet we swim safely in areas our guides have previously explored and deemed suitable for swimmers. Colder water can also trigger a shock response, so it is best to be conditioned by training in different environments and weather, especially if you choose one of our less sun-drenched locations. |
| WILDLIFE | The open water is home to life in all its colourful variety. One of the great highlights of swimming freely, beyond the pool, is the chance to share encounters with friendly wildlife, like dolphins, turtles and shoaling fish. These animals will mostly avoid you - just stay aware and don't panic if they come closer. |
| GEAR | Goggles may need to be tinted or polarised to avoid sun glare. You might also want to wear a wetsuit to gain warmth and buoyancy - it's better to be able to stay in for longer. The water could be murkier than you are used to in some spots as well. Anti-chafing balm for your neck and underarms and reef-safe sunscreen are important items to pack before you leave. A swim watch could improve your orientation and timing too. Explore our full Packing List to learn more. |
SwimTrek trips are expertly guided and perfect for newcomers.
Why SwimTrek Trips Are The Perfect Way To Start
As pioneers, we were the first operator leading open water adventures since we dove into the clear Aegean, among the Greek Cyclades, back in 2003. Since then, we've learned the benefits of splitting groups by ability, providing vigilant support kayaks and boats, ensuring no one is ever left behind. In short, you are never exposed to unsafe conditions. We take plenty of breaks as well so you can feel rest, refuel, and check in with yourself and your fellow swimmers. These are holidays after all, and your comfort is one of our primary concerns.
That said, not all our trips are suited to Beginners. Take some time to explore our website and choose the right holiday for your needs. Each one is structured for varying purposes and different species of swimmers. Some last up to a week and others are shorter breaks of no more than 4 days. Then we have additional options you might not have even considered, including our YogaSwims with up to 3 kilometres of swimming each day, mixed with yoga sessions in beautiful natural settings.
Perhaps the surest way to start is with our coaching-focused itineraries, offering 2-3 kilometres of swimming each day. We usually take you to coastal coves and bays where conditions are calm and the weather rarely hinders our daily adventures. Check out our 4-day Short Escapes to find less challenging swimming holidays, with guided support, in beginner-friendly locations. You can enjoy a balance of time on land and in the water, taking plenty of opportunities to seek out tourist sites and sample the local cuisine.
“My first SwimTrek trip has literally transformed my approach to open water swimming. I am so much more confident and excited to improve!" - Guest on YogaSwim Montenegro
The fun never stops once you escape the pool walls.
Am I Fit Enough To Join A Swimming Holiday?
It's a question we are often asked. We usually recommend that you are able to swim 2 kilometres continuously before joining one of our trips. You don't have to be 'fast', and you can always skip swims if you like, or meander back to the boat to watch and relax onboard. If you are even relatively new to open water you will surely appreciate our flexible distances and island-hopping excursions with intervals in shallow waters.
What we're saying is that our trips are not races - unless you actually choose one of our Iconic Races. If you want to swim at an easier pace, look for options with a Leisurely grading, which is our easiest level. These will include plenty of short crossings and coastal exploration set in inviting waters, like the calm Aegean. We also travel to a variety of protected marine parks, where wildlife thrives.
For more information on being fitness-ready, explore our recent blog on this subject: How Fit Do I Need To Be For A Swimming Holiday?
Expand your skills as you stay active, train and explore with us
Which Trip Should I Start With?
At this point, we've established you don't necessarily need to swim fast. You shouldn't feel stressed or hurried on any active holiday with us and our world-class guides will be watching over you at all times. There are plenty of trips catered for early needs, easing any jitters, as you advance to open water swimming. Following are a few suitable options as you venture out for the first time:
- Our Ionian Explorer trip takes you to a playground with enchanting topography both above and below the Ionian Sea, carved with interesting caves and tunnels. This is great for easygoing exploration!
- Take to warm Mediterranean waters in Mallorca and join our introductory training camp in sunlit Colonia de Sant Jordi.
- Leap into an itinerary of Short Swims with incredible water clarity in Malta - a chance to escape and swim beside sheer cliffs along the Gozitan coastline.
- For freshwater thrill-seekers, Lake Bled in Slovenia is circled by rolling peaks, forested backdrops and charming shoreside villages - we even swim to the picturesque 17th Century pilgrimage church on Bled Island!
Included in our trip variants are options for Short Swims, with more breaks, shorter distances and optimal time to relax and explore. There's even less pressure to match your pace with fellow swimmers. You can enjoy the same scenery as other trips, but with less need for endurance. These flexible swim breaks are all evenly paced and expertly guided. One exciting option would be our new Sulawesi Explorer Short Swims trip, which uncovers the incredible biodiversity that made Indonesia’s Coral Triangle world famous.
Of course, every trip enjoys the experienced guidance and tutorage of our well-loved coaches, but our Coaching Camps really bring them to the fore as they offer technique advice and tips inspired by video analysis. These camps have been carefully curated, over many years, for all abilities, with structured sessions, video analysis and a mixture of pool and open water sessions. You can gradually build your distances and confidence as the trip develops, forming bonds with the other swimmers on your trip. You may be surprised how much your swimming develops in a short amount of time. A supportive environment does wonders for enhancing your enjoyment and finding ease in open water.
“[The Guides] were warm, caring, kind, and inclusive. They did so many things to demonstrate their care, like laying out everybody's flip-flops on the hot dock and helping swimmers back onto the boat..." - Guest on Cozumel Escape
Open water swims are best when shared!
