Swimming around the world

Simon Griffiths shares how to make the most of your next swim abroad

Taking part in a swimming event in a foreign country is exciting but challenging. The right preparation and planning will help you make the most of the experience.

Start by imagining yourself on the start line. The sense of excitement is the same. The smells of neoprene and wetsuit lubricant are familiar. And the hum of nervous chatter is similar.

But everything is different too. When you listen closely, you realise you don’t understand what people around you are saying. There are fewer, if any, faces in the crowd that you recognise (although you keep thinking you should). The swimmers’ wetsuits don’t match the brands and styles you usually see back home. The briefing is incomprehensible. If you usually swim in the UK, it’s probably warmer than you’re used to. It may feel a little disorganised – but that could be because you don’t know what is going on.

I love racing in other countries. Taking part in a local swim is a step up from a regular tourist visit. Your otherness as a foreigner is compensated for by the shared identity of being a swimmer. The thrill of racing is supercharged by the adventure and unfamiliarity of travel. The satisfaction of completing a swim is doubled because you’ve also had to overcome the not insignificant challenge of getting to the start line.

Getting there

The first hurdle is finding a suitable event and entering. We list some international events in Outdoor Swimmer but there are hundreds more. You’ll need to do your research. You may have to navigate a foreign language website and make a payment in a different currency. Not always straightforward, but it’s part of the adventure. Google translate can help but it isn’t perfect. I recommend emailing the event organiser. They will usually be delighted to help.

Swim events are often in beautiful locations. If you can spare the time, it’s worth factoring in a couple of days either side of your swim to acclimatise, recover from jetlag and explore – it’s also good to have a margin in case your travel is disrupted.

However, try not to do too much the day before your swim. I once spent eight hours walking around Budapest in the rain before a triathlon. It was interesting and I saw a lot of the city, but I didn’t race well afterwards.

Other practicalities

Check if there are any special requirements. In France, I was asked to prove membership of either Swim England or British Triathlon in order to race. Failing that, I would have needed a note from a doctor saying I was fit to swim. In Italy, I had to return a medical form. But not everywhere is so strict.

Review your travel insurance and ensure it covers you for open water swimming events. And check again even if it did in the past. The standard travel insurance I get with my bank account no longer covers swimming events. While the risk of something going wrong in a swim is low, the costs could be significant.

Then, pay attention to the event rules. If tow floats are compulsory, do you need to bring your own? Does your costume or wetsuit need to carry a QR code showing it’s approved by World Aquatics?

For longer swims, bring your own nutrition. While gels and other energy products might be provided, you shouldn’t rely on these. Unfamiliar brands may play havoc with your stomach. And do you need to plan ahead for your pre-swim breakfast? If you’re staying in a hotel, you may find they don’t serve breakfast early enough for your swim start. Bringing a bag of oats may seem odd, but I’ve done it many times – and it’s a lifesaver for early swim starts.

Swim prep

It’s always useful to familiarise yourself with the course before a swim. It’s even more important in an unknown environment. Bear in mind you may not be able to understand the volunteers and safety crew – asking for directions may not help. I look out for people who might be swimmers (they’re usually easy to spot) and ask for local tips.

Similarly, if you don’t understand the race briefing, just ask another participant. It normally doesn’t take long to find someone who speaks enough English to summarise for you. If you still have doubts, let the race organiser know.

Dealing with the unknown

My most painful jellyfish sting came from an event in Italy. Swimming in the Atlantic near Madeira made me worry about sharks. Going anywhere new introduces you to hazards you don’t find at home. My take on it is, if local people are happy to swim, why shouldn’t I be? Although I do appreciate that people have different risk tolerances.

Make a point of finding out what the local hazards are and take suitable precautions. Do you, for example, need to be careful where you put your feet to avoid sea urchins? Should you shuffle walk into the sea in case there are stingrays? Also, don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun.

Feel the fear

Taking on a race in another country is daunting. Not only do you have to do the swim, which may already be challenging, but you have to deal with a new culture, a strange language, and the stress of travel. On the plus side, you will be warmly welcomed as a fellow swimmer, enjoy a unique travel experience and, hopefully, have a wonderful time.