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Open Water Swimming

Open Water Swimming

Olympic SportWater Sports

Open water swimming covers swimming races held in natural bodies of water rather than in a pool. The 10 km distance is the Olympic event. A strong pool swimming background is essential; on top of that, navigation and current-reading skills need to be developed.

Benefits
  • Extreme endurance
  • Mental strength
  • Adapting to nature
  • Cardiovascular strength
Physical Development

Front

Back

Primary
Supporting
Inactive

Primary Muscles

ShouldersBackChestLegsCore

Supporting Muscles

ArmsGlutes

Fitness Components

endurancestrengthcoordination
Physical Demands
Coordination
Medium
Endurance
High
Strength
Medium
Flexibility
Low
Height advantage: Doesn’t matter
Body type: Athletic
Development by Age
12

Up to age 12

Solid pool swimming training

14

Up to age 14

Short open water experience (1–2 km)

17

Up to age 17

5–10 km distances, official races

A Family Sports Background Helps
Swimming: Basic technique is a must; a pool background is essential

Starting age

Ages 10+ (ideal: 12)

Competition age

Ages 14+

Weekly time

Beginner 4–5 hours
Intermediate 6–8 hours
Advanced 10–15 hours

Estimated monthly cost

TRY 1,800 – TRY 4,500

Equipment
Wetsuit₺1,500–5,000
TrendyolHepsiburadaAmazon
Goggles₺200–600
TrendyolHepsiburadaAmazon
Swim Safety Buoy₺200–400
TrendyolHepsiburadaAmazon

Where to Buy

Specialist sports shops near youFederation-approved retailers
Federation

Türkiye Yüzme Federasyonu

Visit website →

Is there a Open Water Swimming club near me?

Find Facilities
waterolympicendurancenaturelong-distance

Sports That Pair Well With It

Pool swimming is a required basic skill.

🏊Olympic

Swimming

One of the safest and most well-rounded sports: it uses every muscle in the body without putting strain on the joints.

Ages 3+2–3 hours
Water Sports
🏃Olympic

Athletics — Running

Sprint, middle-distance and long-distance running events; they turn the most basic human movement into a sporting discipline.

Ages 6+2–3 hours
Individual Sports

Open Water Swimming Videos

Technique guides and training videos

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Derince–Gölcük Open Water Swimming Race

Footage from Türkiye's national open water swimming races

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National Open Water Swimming Races

A national open water swimming race that shows the sport and its atmosphere

Related Coach Articles

🏊

Why Is Swimming Considered the Foundation of All Sports?

Many coaches, whatever their own sport, recommend that children learn to swim. There is a strong scientific rationale behind this.

Ayşe Kaya · 3 min
🏊

4 Basic Swimming Strokes for Kids and the Order to Learn Them

From freestyle to breaststroke, from backstroke to butterfly: which stroke at what age, and how should it be taught?

Leyla Öztürk · 6 min
🏊

7 Things Parents Should Look for When Choosing a Swim Club

From pool hygiene to coaching licenses, from group size to budgeting: how do you find the right swim club?

Leyla Öztürk · 5 min

Is this sport right for your child?

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