OPEN WATER

AQUA SPEED open water – swimming is an adventure!

Open water means swimming in open bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, ponds, the sea or the ocean. Wherever a swimmer is in touch with nature and swims under the open sky (also in winter – winter swimming), we say they swim open water.

Open water swimming can be recreational or adventure-based, as well as competitive sport combined with active leisure time.

Shorts, swimwear, goggles and caps are the essential attributes of open water swimmers. At some OW events, and especially in triathlon competitions, specialized neoprene wetsuits are permitted.

In Poland, the summer swimming season starts in June and lasts until the end of September.

AQUA SPEED as a promoter of open water in Poland

The AQUA SPEED brand specializes in producing gear and accessories that support swim training and open water competition. Our goggles, suits, caps, and safety buoys are a natural choice for fans of this wonderful adventure and form of athletic competition.

Basic rules of open water swimming

Open water swimming is engaging, but it also requires good preparation. Solid swimming skills are fundamental, and it’s extremely important to take care of safety and comfort.

The basics include swimming in verified waters, using a safety buoy, and going with other swimmers or having supervision from the shore. During swim events, it’s crucial to follow the guidelines of organizers, referees, and lifeguards who look after participants.

It’s also worth thinking about good nutrition. On long outings, bring something nutritious to snack on, and when swimming in waters with hard-to-verify quality, a probiotic may help.

Open water training in the pool

To fully enjoy swimming in the summer season, it’s a good idea to plan your season and dedicate the entire autumn and winter to preparations by training at the pool. Setting goals for the next season will motivate intensive work on technique and fitness. To diversify training and work on technique, endurance, and speed, it’s worth using gear and accessories.

You can also include pool swim meets in your preparation to test fitness, technique, and mental toughness.

Drafting – swimming behind another person, sighting by lifting your head, “washing machine” swimming in a big pack, and buoy turns. These open water technique aspects can also be trained at the pool during workouts and at events like POWER race by AQUA SPEED – open water under a roof.

Outdoor training

Getting used to waters where you can’t see the bottom or where there are waves is part of practicing in natural conditions. It’s worth joining training sessions organized by experienced coaches and swimmers, or gaining experience at events such as the AQUA SPEED Open Water Series, where you can swim your first 475 meters in safe conditions under the watchful eye of lifeguards.

Thermal preparation, i.e., resistance to cold water that may occur in OW swimming, is great to build by winter dipping, or by taking part in ice swimming events.

AQUA SPEED Open Water Series

This is now a fixed point in the calendar of open water swimming enthusiasts in Poland. In particular, the iconic race in Ślesin that opens the OW season has gained a loyal following. The events have been organized since 2019, and each season the number of participants keeps growing. It’s fair to say it’s the most popular series in Poland.

ASOWS is a great opportunity to check your form, have fun, enjoy healthy competition, and connect with nature.

We’ll meet in:

• iconic Ślesin (14 June 2025),
• Elbląg (5 July 2025)
• Syców (12 July 2025)

Anyone who can swim at least 475 meters (new distance), 950, 1900, or 3800 meters can take part. Triathlon wetsuits are allowed. Kids can race 100 m (ages 6–7), 200 m (ages 8–11), 475 m (ages 12–13).

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Race operator: Labosport Polska

In 2024 we were with you here:

POWER race by AQUA SPEED

This is a unique project that premiered this spring. It was prepared especially for swimmers who want to feel open water energy before the season. OW-style swimming, but in controlled pool conditions, is the perfect chance to meet fellow enthusiasts and practice technique before competitions held in nature.

We met in:

• Warsaw (10 March, WUM Sports & Recreation Center Pool) / already done

In the first edition of POWER race, nearly 60 people raced around buoys over 475 meters. In a great atmosphere, with smiles on their faces, swimmers from Warsaw, Łódź, Poznań, Ełk, and Olsztyn competed. Olympians Alicja Tchórz, Radosław Kawęcki, and Filip Wypych, known from pool competition, swam with us.

Such a swimming spectacle has never been seen before. Emotions ran high! POWER race by AQUA SPEED is changing swimming.

Race operator: gsandr

Swim Series Poland by AQUA SPEED

A proposition for open water swimming enthusiasts and triathletes. The day before the legendary IRONMAN-branded races in Poznań and Warsaw, open water swim events took place.

We met in:

• Warsaw (8 June, Zegrzyńskie Lake)
• Poznań (31 August, Kierskie Lake)

Participants could choose distances of 1500 and 750 meters. It was a great opportunity for swimmers who didn’t plan to start in the full triathlon to still become part of IRONMAN Poland events.

Race operator: Sport Evolution

Choose accessories for open water training and swimming!