Swimrun Equipment

With any new sport you don’t have to spend an absolute fortune on new kit. Most of the time you can use what you have available.

With experience you understand what you like and don’t like.

It is also very nice to buy some new kit though!!!!

With the help of John Ovenden from Fenland Runner, he has helped me come up with a list of kit needed for all various distances.

https://www.fenlandrunner.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

Newbie 5km swimrun or swimwalk

· Waterproof whistle for safety (mandatory)

· Trisuit if it’s a warm day, old cut down wetsuit or swimrun wetsuit

· Goggles

· Bright coloured swim cap

· Trail running shoes and socks

· Pull buoy if swimming front crawl

What stroke will you be swimming?

Swimming breaststroke no hand paddles or pull buoy will be needed. If you are swimming front crawl you can use hand paddles or finger paddles, but it’s recommended you train with then before an event because the paddles add extra strain on the shoulder muscles which can cause injury. You definitely don’t want problems with your shoulders.

DON’T Drill holes in the mid sole of your old trainers as this will cause the support of the shoe to disappear.

ORIOCX swimrun trainers from Fenland Runner.

Enthusiast 10km

· Waterproof whistle for safety (mandatory)

· Collapsible cup (mandatory)

· Entry level swinrun wetsuit, with front zip and short legs

· Goggles

· Bright coloured swim cap

· Drainable, grippy shoes and merino wool socks

· Compression calf sleeves with flotation aids for buoyancy and protection

· Pull buoy and pull buoy belt.

Wetsuit brand names

HEAD, Zone 3, ORCA, 2XU

For your first event, you can use the wetsuit you already own. Otherwise, you can cut the arms and legs off your old wetsuit. I think it’s best to try on a few different brands of wetsuit to see which one fits well and offers good movement of the arms and feels comfortable when running.

Experienced 21km – 40km

· Waterproof whistle for safety (mandatory)

· Collapsible cup / collapsible water bottle (mandatory)

· Swinrun wetsuit

· Goggles

· Bright coloured swim cap

· Drainable, grippy shoes and merino wool socks

· Compression calf sleeves with flotation aids for buoyancy and protection

· Pull buoy and pull buoy belt.

· Hand paddles

· Support cord for pulling or guidance cord for pairs

· Might need a thermal top if cold

· First aid kit

· Waist bag to carry maps, gels

· Mobile phone in a waterproof case

· Compass

Elite 40-70km

You are absolutely fabulous and know exactly what you need and don’t need.

Swimrun shoes

Looking at Swimrun shoes here are a few things you can consider to help you make a good choice. Once you have chosen a pair, wear them in before a race to prevent getting blisters.

· Drainage

· Tread

· Cushioning/Stack Height

· Buoyancy

· Good fit so they don’t come off when swimming

· Particle Size Impermeability/Water Permeability

If your shoes can last an entire race without falling off, tripping you, breaking or giving you blisters – that’s a good pair of swimrun shoes.

Ear plugs

You may find wearing ear plugs will help with prevent dizziness as the cold water affects the balance nerves in the ears. Moving from the horizontal swim position to vertical position to start running can also make you feel dizzy. Those all the things we will practice when we start the swimrun coaching.