Open Water Swimming for Beginners: From the Pool to the Lake

The first warm days of spring, the lake is perfectly still – and suddenly you don’t just want to swim lengths at the indoor pool any more. For many people, open water swimming is the logical next step: more nature, more freedom, no turn every 25 metres. At the same time, that first front crawl stroke in dark water often feels completely different from what you expected.

No lane rope, no bottom under your feet, cold water on your face – plus a wetsuit that gets your pulse racing just putting it on. That’s completely normal. Almost everyone who now swims through the lake relaxed started out exactly like this.

In this guide, we at FlipSoc show you how to approach the move from pool to lake in a structured way: which gear you really need, which safety rules are non-negotiable, how to swim straight without a line and how to make your first outing in a wetsuit stress-free.

What is open water swimming – and how is it different from the pool?

Open water swimming means swimming in open bodies of water such as lakes, rivers or the sea – so without a pool edge, lane ropes or markings on the bottom. The biggest difference isn’t the technique, but the environment: you have to find your own way, deal with temperature, waves and visibility, and you can’t stop at the edge whenever you like.

In the pool, the black line on the bottom helps you stay straight. Every 25 or 50 metres, there’s a short break at the wall. In the lake, both disappear. You swim continuously, and small weaknesses in your technique add up: if you pull slightly to one side, after 200 metres you’ll end up well off target.

Then there’s your head. Murky water, plants brushing against your leg or just the depth itself make many people feel uneasy. That’s not a weakness, but a normal reaction to a new environment. With routine and good preparation, it quickly fades.

What gear do you need for open water swimming?

To get started, you need less than many people think: a brightly coloured swim cap, goggles, a tow float and – depending on the water temperature – a wetsuit. Everything else is comfort.

A swim wetsuit rather than a surf wetsuit

A swim or triathlon wetsuit is clearly different from a surf wetsuit. It’s especially thin and stretchy at the shoulders and arms so your front crawl stroke isn’t restricted, and often has a smooth outer skin that glides well through the water. Under the rules of the German Triathlon Union (DTU), a race wetsuit may be no more than 5 mm thick.

A surf suit will do for your first attempts, but it quickly tires your shoulders. If you find you enjoy open water, a proper swim wetsuit is worth it. You’ll find more background in our guide to swimming in a wetsuit.

How do you prepare for open water in the pool?

The best preparation takes place at the indoor pool: there you practise sighting, breathing to both sides and swimming continuously without stopping at the edge. That way, only the surroundings are new in the lake, not the technique.

• Swim through without stopping at the wall: swim 400 to 800 metres in one go without holding on to the edge. Simply turn around at the end of the lane.
• Bilateral breathing: breathe every three strokes so that in the lake you can breathe to either side depending on waves and sun.
• Sighting lengths: every six to eight strokes, briefly lift your eyes above the surface and focus on a point at the end of the pool.
• Eyes-closed lengths: swim a few strokes with your eyes closed and check how far you drift from the line. This shows you which way you tend to veer.
• Start in the water: start from floating rather than pushing off the wall – just as you will later in the lake.

How does sighting work in open water swimming?

Sighting means briefly lifting your eyes above the water’s surface to aim for a target without breaking your swimming rhythm. It’s the most important technique for swimming straight in the lake.

1. Choose a target: before you start, pick a large, clearly visible point on the shore, such as a tree, a building or a buoy. Small targets disappear behind waves.
2. Lift your head only slightly: lift your head forward until your eyes are just above the water – “crocodile eyes”. Your mouth and nose stay in the water.
3. Take a quick look: a brief glance is enough. If you don’t see the target straight away, look again on your next sighting.
4. Breathe to the side: turn your head straight to the side from the sighting movement and breathe in there. That keeps your rhythm intact.
5. Find your rhythm: at first every six strokes, later every eight to twelve strokes depending on conditions.

If you lift your head too high, your hips and legs sink and you lose speed. Less is more here. In waves, it helps to time your sighting with the crest of the wave.

What safety rules apply in open water?

The most important rule is: never swim alone. Add to that being visible, knowing the water and being careful with the cold.

• Never alone: swim with a partner, in a group or with someone accompanying you from the shore or on a board.
• Be visible: a brightly coloured swim cap and a tow float are a must as soon as boats or SUPs are around.
• Know the water: find out about swimming areas, boat traffic, currents and restricted zones. Rivers and the sea have their own dangers.
• Check the weather: in thunderstorms, strong wind or fog, stay on land.
• Swim parallel to the shore: especially at first, swim along the shore rather than across the lake.
• Listen to your body: if you feel unwell, start shivering, get cramp or lose your bearings, get out immediately.

Take cold shock seriously

Cold water can trigger an involuntary gasp when you get in – known as cold shock. So walk into the water slowly, splash your face and neck and wait until your breathing has calmed down before you start swimming. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, talk to your doctor before cold water swimming. You’ll find more in-depth tips on dealing with low temperatures in our article Cold water swimming for newbies.

Important: the wetsuit gives you buoyancy and warmth. But it’s no substitute for being a confident swimmer, nor for a buoyancy aid. If you can’t comfortably swim 400 metres in one go in the pool, keep practising there first.

At what water temperature is a wetsuit worth it?

For most beginners, a wetsuit is worth it as soon as the water is below roughly 20 to 22 °C – so almost always at the start of the season in spring. A 3 to 5 mm swim wetsuit keeps you warm and gives you buoyancy.

As a rough guide: above about 24 °C, you usually don’t need a wetsuit. Between about 18 and 23 °C, a thin suit is enough for many people; below that, a full suit makes sense. If the water is around 12 to 15 °C, swimmers who feel the cold add a hood and booties. You’ll find a detailed overview in our article on wetsuit thickness by water temperature.

Note: in spring, the water is often much colder than the air. A sunny day with an air temperature of 20 °C doesn’t mean the lake is already pleasant. Measure or ask about the water temperature rather than guessing.

How do you make your first wetsuit outing stress-free?

Your first outing in a wetsuit goes best if you try the suit on at home beforehand, give yourself plenty of time at the lake and gradually get used to the feeling of swimming with extra buoyancy.

Beforehand: try it on and practise putting it on

Put the wetsuit on at home at least once before your first day at the lake. Check that it fits snugly without restricting your breathing and that you can rotate your arms freely. You’ll find the complete step-by-step technique in our guide to putting on a wetsuit.

At the lake: calm, not rushed

Allow ten minutes to put your wetsuit on at the shore. Put down a mat or towel so that no sand or small stones get into the suit. Take off your watch and jewellery, grip with your fingertips rather than your nails and work your way up from the bottom.

In the water: get to know the buoyancy

The wetsuit mainly lifts your legs and hips. Many people find they swim noticeably more easily and faster as a result. At the same time, the suit feels unusually tight around the neck and shoulders at first. Swim deliberately easy for the first few minutes, let a little water run into the collar and breathe out calmly. The tight feeling usually eases once you warm up.

FlipSoc: less stress putting it on at the shore

At the start of the season in particular, putting the suit on is often the least pleasant part: your skin is cool, maybe slightly damp from a warm-up swim, and you don’t want to maul your swim wetsuit with its thin, delicate outer skin with your fingernails. Classic helpers like a plastic bag or a thin sock over your foot and hand work, but they tend to slip off or end up as rubbish.

That’s exactly why we developed the FlipSoc in Erding. You pull this donning aid made of smooth ripstop nylon over your foot or hand, slip into the leg or sleeve, and the neoprene glides through the cuff instead of sticking to your skin. It works wet or dry and is gentle on the suit, because you have to tug less. At around 100 g and a packed size of about 15 × 10.7 × 2.7 cm, it fits into any swim bag.

An honest note: FlipSoc is made for classic jersey-lined wetsuits – fabric on the inside – which covers most swim, triathlon and surf suits. It isn’t suitable for smoothskin or open-cell suits, as commonly used in freediving.

Start of the season: how do you build up over the first few weeks?

Build up over the first few weeks by increasing duration, not speed: start with 10 to 15 minutes in the water and extend step by step as long as you feel warm and safe.

These times are guidelines. What matters is the water temperature, your suit and how your body feels. Shivering, stiff fingers or muddled thinking are clear signals to get out of the water immediately.

After the swim

Change quickly, dry off and put on warm clothes, including a hat. A hot drink helps you warm up. Rinse the wetsuit with fresh water and hang it up to dry in the shade.

Typical beginner mistakes in open water

• Starting too fast: adrenaline and cold water push up your pulse. Deliberately start slower than in the pool.
• Forgetting to exhale: if you don’t breathe out fully underwater, you’ll quickly get out of breath. Hum or blow bubbles actively.
• Head too high when sighting: costs energy and makes your legs sink.
• Landmark too small: a single buoy disappears behind waves, a church tower doesn’t.
• Wetsuit too loose or twisted: creases at the crotch and shoulders cost freedom of movement. Pull the material up neatly before you start.
• Staying in too long the first time: better to get out early feeling good than chilled and frustrated.

Frequently asked questions about open water swimming

Can I swim in a lake as a beginner?

Yes, if you can swim several hundred metres of front crawl or breaststroke confidently in the pool without stopping. Start parallel to the shore, never swim alone and use a tow float. That way you’ll gradually get used to the depth, the cold and the lack of reference points.

Do I need a wetsuit for open water swimming?

Not necessarily, but at water temperatures below roughly 20 to 22 °C, a swim wetsuit makes a lot of sense for most beginners. It keeps you warm and gives you buoyancy, which provides reassurance especially at the beginning. However, it’s no substitute for being a confident swimmer.

How do I swim straight in a lake?

With sighting: every six to twelve strokes, briefly lift your eyes above the surface and aim for a large point on the shore. Then breathe to the side so your rhythm stays intact. You can practise this technique well in the pool beforehand.

What is a tow float for?

A tow float makes you visible to boats, SUPs and companions and gives you something to hold on to for a short break if needed. It’s worn with a waist belt and floats along behind you without getting in the way. It’s not a substitute for a life jacket.

How long should I stay in cold water the first time?

For your first day at the lake in spring, 10 to 15 minutes is usually enough. Then increase the duration slowly as long as you feel warm and clear-headed. If you start shivering, get stiff fingers or feel unwell, get out immediately.

Conclusion

Open water swimming isn’t a question of courage, but of preparation. If you practise sighting and continuous swimming in the pool, start small at the beginning of the season and stick to the safety rules consistently, the lake will soon become your favourite pool.

Take your time on your first wetsuit outing, start easy and finish the session while it still feels good. With every swim, the surroundings become more familiar.

So that even putting your suit on at the shore gets off to a relaxed start, take a look at the FlipSoc – the donning aid for your wetsuit: small, light, reusable and with a 5-year guarantee.