Now that the water is in the 50s in the Northeast, and even colder in some parts, here are some tips on storing your wetsuit in the winter: 1 - Buy wetsuit hangers. I bought a couple on Amazon and they keep your wetsuit looking good throughout the winter. (For...
Still Swimming in the Open Water?
I've done some crazy things in my life, like crashed Woody Allen's New Year's Eve Party, skied the Alps, wore Google Glass in Costa Rica, and I've competed in dozens of triathlons. But, swimming when the water temperature is so cold it feels as if it burns your face, is...
Cold Weather Gear for Open Water Swimming
Who wants to go back to the pool? Not me! There is something very special about the open water and I want to stay out there as long as possible. (I have a friend who swims all winter long. It's called ice swimming, but that's not for me.) What do...
Finding My Happy Place in the Open Water
There are days when I swim in the open water and I just feel a sense of freedom -- freedom from COVID-19 threat, freedom from all the nasty politics, and freedom from life. There's something meditative and special about the water that you can't experience anywhere else. It's truly my...
My First 2-Mile Swim…
I signed up for the Maggie Fischer Memorial Swim. After not being able to swim in the pools for months and first getting into the open water in June, I opted not to do the swim. (It was later canceled because of the weather.) On a Mission But, I was...
ROKA’s Maverick Swim Run Wetsuit
I've been wanting to do more swim-run events. I usually compete in the UJA-Federation Swim Run Sprint and love that event. Since I really enjoyed that one, I vowed I would do more Swim-Run events in the future. ROKA's Maverick Swim-Run Wetsuit I didn't realize that there was a specific...
Chaya – A Film About Swimmers of Color
I never thought swimming was a predominantly "white" sport. But after watching Chaya - The Black Line, a film produced in 2016 that highlights great swimmers, I learned more about the sport than I have in the last few years I've been swimming. I was introduced to the film by...
Swimming Hope for the Non-Swimmer
Instagram Swimming has a unique way of pushing us to our limits while offering an unmatched sense of freedom. For many, including myself, it’s not something that comes naturally. Years ago, I couldn’t fathom swimming 25 yards without feeling utterly defeated. Today, I swim regularly, compete in triathlons, and find...
Why Do You Need a SwimSkin?
When you first begin to learn about triathlons and start training, one of the things that come up in addition to getting a wetsuit is also getting a swim skin. But why do you need a swimskin if you have a wetsuit? Warm Water If the water is warmer than...
Roka Pro Vent Mesh Backpack for Swimmers
Getting the right backpack for swimming is often difficult. Some don't have a place for a water bottle. Others don't have a front pouch to hold goggles, earplugs, nose plugs, and headphones. I am very particular when it comes to mesh backpacks. I want them to be a certain way...