Orca Member Benefits
Orca Member Benefits
Orca Member Benefits
Orca Member Benefits
Orca Member Benefits
Orca Member Benefits
Orca Member Benefits
Orca Member Benefits
Orca Member Benefits
Orca Member Benefits
Back

"Swimming in the sea is more rewarding than swimming in a pool”

Rachel Klamer, professional Orca triathlete and three-time Dutch Olympian, tells us about her connection with the sea and with open water, and shares her best tips on being prepared

Rachel Klamer, professional Orca triathlete and three-time Dutch Olympian, tells us about her connection with the sea and with open water, and shares her best tips on being prepared and enjoying swimming to the fullest.

RACHEL KLAMER- Professional triathlete

Isn’t it interesting how many of us triathletes have this love-hate relationship with open water swimming? As a kid, I even used to be scared of swimming in general, but luckily I got over this pretty quickly. It became my natural environment.

Swimming in open water is more than just a sport. It can give us this great feeling of freedom and adventure. No chlorine, no walls, no people to have to swim around. You aim for a point far away, no need to count laps. It’s a very relaxed way to swim. Once you're finished, you feel energized. Why? It's simple. Exercise releases endorphins. These hormones make you feel good and give you a sense of happiness. Let’s not get into the health benefits too much, because I could write a book about these.

Yes, it is often more rewarding than swimming in a swimming pool, but it definitely comes with some challenges. That's why it is so important to be prepared both physically and mentally, to have the proper materials, and to plan in advance. Here are some of my tips to be as prepared as possible for open water swimming:

EQUIPMENT

Whether you are looking for more buoyancy or you are swimming in a lower water temperature, a good wetsuit is key. I personally find it very important that a wetsuit is flexible around my shoulders. This gives me a more natural feeling without straining my shoulder muscles. Choosing the right wetsuit and size, is essential in order to perform at your best.

For those who want to continue swimming even in low temperatures, it is also a good idea to use neoprene accessories, like a cap, gloves or boots, to avoid losing too much body heat exercising.

I never swim by myself. If I don’t have someone to swim with, I ask someone to come with me to keep an eye on me from the shore. In those cases, it is important to have a safety buoy, which gives you visibility and extra buoyancy in case you need to stop and rest or to eat or drink.

LOCATION

Once you have your equipment ready, choosing a location should be the next priority. Of course, you'll probably want to visit the most beautiful places, which are known for their breathtaking views, surrounded by nature, and which evoke a sense of peace and tranquility. However, aesthetics aren't the only factor to consider in your choice.

Are you familiar with the area? Is it easily accessible? Do other swimmers use it? Is there a lifeguard on duty? Will you be able to get your bearings? These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself before choosing a location and diving into the water. You should never jump into the water without studying the route beforehand and planning your adventure. You should think about the distance, points of entry and exit, the weather, and the sea condition (currents, waves, etc.). Knowing about each of these factors in advance will allow you to have fun and stay safe as you enjoy your open water swimming session.

OVERCOMING FEAR

I recently discovered that there are many athletes who are (a bit) scared of swimming in open water. Reasons for this fear vary, such as the depth of the water or possible underwater objects or animal life.

In order to get over these fears and to truly enjoy your experience in the ocean, you will have to push yourself out of your comfort zone slowly, and try to gradually increase the area you swim in. Bringing another swimmer, you can trust with experience in the open water will help a lot. This will allow you to focus more on the other person than on anything "scary" in your surroundings. Concentrating on your technique or counting your swim strokes can also be very helpful strategies for keeping these fears off your mind.

In the end, all these tips are meant to help you reach your goal: to feel safe and confident swimming in open water, and to feel that unique connection with nature that only comes from riding the waves.

ABOUT RACHEL KLAMER

Rachel Klamer is a professional triathlete and Orca ambassador. Some of her greatest accomplishments include placing fourth in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, winning the 2018 Abu Dhabi WTS, placing fourth at both the Hamburg WTS and the 2019 Grand Finale in Lausanne, as well as multiple podium places in the Superleague Triathlon Series.

Related posts

We believe that you are in International.

Quieres cambiar a tu región?

You are currently on the International website. We recommend you choose your country so you can complete an online purchase.



You can also consult the other countries and languages. See all.

Select your location

america
europa
Other countries
International
International
Online store not available

Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and join the Orca community

Adjust your communication preferences in your account settings

Already have an account? Log in

Sign In

Forgot your password?

Recover password

Enter your email address and we will send you instructions for restoring your password.

Find your size

We help you to know the size of your ORCA wetsuit. Tell us the following information.

Chest
Height
Weight
Chest
Height
Weight

How to measure yourself

For best results, take your measurements with no clothing on

Place the measuring tape over the widest part of your chest.

Hold one end of the measuring tape in place and circle your chest, keeping the tape straight, until the tape reaches your starting point.

Get a book, a hand mirror and a pencil.

Take off your shoes and anything you wear on your head.

Look for a level surface to stand on with a smooth wall behind you.

Stand in front of the wall with your feet together.

Balance the book on your head and press it against the wall. Use the mirror to check that it is in a horizontal position and well centered. Mark the position of the top of your head on the wall with pencil.

Once the mark is made, step away and use a measuring tape to measure the distance from the ground to the mark you just made with pencil.

Step on the scale, without clothes or accessories, and write down your weight.

Find your size