When open water swimming, it is smart (in most locations and situations) to swim with a brightly colored floatation device. This one (or something similar – there are a number of this same design on the market) is super easy to use, has a little pocket, deflates and blows up easily, and I don’t notice it swimming.

I have seriously gone swimming in our lake (my only decent local open water swim option) about twice in the last couple (few??) years! Partly due to cold, partly due to time management (ie not making it a priority). But we are having a warm spring…so maybe I’ll get my tush back and use my buoy this year!

Here are some of my other tips on safe open water swimming.