open water swimming
Natural body athletics
Open water swimming is swimming in natural bodies of water—oceans, lakes, rivers—rather than pools.
The term distinguishes outdoor distance swimming from pool competitions, emphasizing challenges like currents, waves, temperature, and navigation.
It ranges from recreational lake swims to competitive marathon events: She trained in the pool but preferred open water swimming.
- lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
- oceanMassive saltwater body
- open oceanSea far from shore
- triathlonThree-event endurance contest
- mass startAll racers begin simultaneously
wetsuit · buoy · stroke · freestyle · endurance · currents · goggles · sighting · waves · rough seas · cold · breathe · distance · marathon · channel · English Channel · crossing · tides
- swimmingswim team, swim teams, swim coach, swim coaches, swim meet
- water sportssurfing, surfer, diving, diver, rowing
- Endurance Sportsmarathon, ultrarunning, ironman, triathlon, half marathon
- Mediterranean activitiessailing, snorkeling, beach volleyball, sunbathing, island hopping
- Olympic Sportsathletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoeing
- outdoor exerciserunning, jogging, cycling, walking, trail running
open water swimmingmarathon running
Extended competitive foot race
cross-country running · trail running · road cycling · ultramarathon
water, swimming, opens, opened, opening, opener, openness, openly, openings