The longer we can keep our gear going, the less we need to produce, say Lee Newby who runs a makers and repairers brand from Bude, North Cornwall

Please can you introduce us to Rooted Ocean…

Rooted Ocean is a makers and repairers brand founded in 2014. The initial concept was to create a manufacturing and repair model that wasn’t really seen in the outdoor world at the time. We loved to surf and hang out in the sea and so it was obvious that we needed to make surf and outdoor inspired gear that would last. After a lot of thinking around permaculture, the earth and other aspects, we realised that repairing not only what we make, but products by other brands, was the way forward. We started with wetsuits and grew the offering as it was required. We now pride ourselves on a full lifetime repair warranty on all our gear and operate a Repair Centre from The Workshop in Bude.

How does the Repair Centre work?

The Repair Centre is a simple feature within The Workshop. You can either book online or stop by to book your repair. Our team offers a 7-10 day turnaround and caters for pretty much everything, but primarily wetsuits (mainly rips, tears and zip issues) as well as zips and patches on changing robes, backpacks and boardbags. 

Why is it important to make our swimming gear last longer?

Historically, ocean going gear isn’t that environmentally friendly. Neoprene, while vastly better in the last few years, has notoriously bad eco credentials in terms of its production, working conditions and the carbon footprint of shipping it around the world. There are some interesting companies making real changes but we must do our bit as consumers, to make sure we keep our kit going as long as possible. After all everything, no matter how ‘eco’, is still a product! The longer we can keep our gear going, the less we need to produce.

What are the most common repairs needed on wetsuits?

The main repairs we see are connected to zip issues or rips; these usually require a patch. We remove the problem area and glue, stitch and tape in a new piece of neoprene, using salvaged neoprene where possible.

What happens to wetsuits after they’re thrown out?

There are some great wetsuit recycling companies now. Generally though, it requires shipping the waste suits around the world to get recycled. It seems counter productive, especially if the upcycled product then needs to be shipped out again. If a wetsuit can’t be fixed, we’ll still find a solution. We take a huge number of wetsuits in for salvage, stripping them for neoprene to use on other repairs. We’ve also recently launched a range of dog leads with waste neoprene in the handle.  

Do you have any tips for making a wetsuit last longer?

Keep it clean! Storing it in a bucket covered in sand doesn’t help with longevity. The zips corrode, and the nylon on the rubber perishes. Keep it clean and dry. If you’re storing it, a little spray of lubricant on the zip will help. The big one is: don’t leave it until the wetsuit needs five patches and a new zip before you book it in!

The post Need a wetsuit repair? Meet Rooted Ocean appeared first on Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

Making ethical choices when it comes to wetsuit materials can be a minefield. It’s often a careful balance of weighing up what matters to you and where you’re prepared to spend – or compromise. We’ve put together a glossary of wetsuit materials, so you can make up your own mind. 

As well as traditional petroleum-based neoprene, wetsuits can be made from limestone, natural rubber, fishing nets and even crushed seashells. But what are the qualities of each, and the environmental impact?

Neoprene

Traditional neoprene has excellent water resistance, thermal insulation, flexibility and durability. It’s also widely available and often cheaper than alternatives. However, neoprene also carries a heavy environmental burden. A man-made synthetic rubber made using petroleum – a non-renewable and quickly depleting resource – it emits toxins during production and creates chemicals that can be hazardous to marine life. The dyes and binding agents are often non-environmentally friendly, it’s generally made in countries with less strict environmental regulations, and it’s hard to recycle, often ending up in landfill where it takes hundreds of years to decompose. 

Limestone neoprene

Invented in the 1950s, limestone neoprene is made from calcium carbonate found in limestone rock, mainly mined in Japan. Yamamoto neoprene is a brand of high-quality, limestone-based neoprene known for its exceptional flexibility, warmth and durability. Limestone neoprene is becoming a popular, premium material that shares similar characteristics to petroleum-based neoprene, only more flexible, durable and lightweight. As it has a longer lifespan, it’s less impactful on the environment and costs less per wear over its lifespan. Bear in mind, the extraction process is still energy-intensive and made with non-renewable resources. 

Yulex

Yulex is the world’s first plant-based replacement for neoprene, made from natural rubber from hevea brasiliensis rubber trees. It was first adopted by Patagonia in 2014 and is now used by over 50 brands. It performs equally or better than traditional neoprene, and the new iteration, Yulex 2.0, has a superior degree of stretch and elasticity. Sourced from authorised natural rubber plantations in Southeast Asia, it’s traceable back to the smallholder.

Thermocline

There are always new neoprene-free innovations coming out. Cornish brand Fourth Element makes a unique fabric called Thermocline using ECONYL® recycled nylon from fishing nets, laminated with a waterproof membrane and thermal fleece, a material that can be recycled again and again. Although we haven’t tried it (it’s mainly used in diving suits), it promises to be lightweight, neutrally buoyant, machine washable, breathable and hypo-allergenic.

Bioprene 

A recycled polyester made from renewable raw materials such as sugar cane, crushed seashells and oyster shells and plant oils. It’s also free from toxics and harsh chemicals. Although not a mainstream alternative, bioprene has similar characteristics to neoprene in terms of durability, flexibility and insulation.

Photo: Finisterre’s Yulex wetsuits

The post What’s the most eco-friendly wetsuit material? appeared first on Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

Your swim travel essentials – and how to carry them – as recommended by the Outdoor Swimmer team

Whether you’re taking part in an event abroad or touring new lakes and coves, packing for a swim travel trip requires some forethought.

Make a list

We’ve found these items to be essential when packing for our swimming trips:

• Always pack at least two swimsuits, preferably three. One can dry while you wear another, and a third is always useful. If you’re taking hold luggage, put one in your hand-luggage.
• Take a spare pair of goggles: your old, reliable go-to pair plus a back up. Consider bringing one with clear lenses and one with tinted or polarised lenses, for different light conditions.
• A descent-sized cotton hammam style towel will dry quickly, doubles as a blanket and won’t shed microplastics like a microfibre towel.
• Either a multi-use shoe, something that can be worn in water, on land or to a cafe. Or a lightweight, roll-up water shoe to keep your feet protected at stony exit points.
• A warm layer. Materials like merino wool and bamboo have a great warmth to weight ratio, and are breathable, too.
• Environmentally-friendly sunscreen – a must when swimming, even on cloudy days. Mineral based sunscreens and zinc sticks contain less harmful ingredients than chemical sunscreens and are not linked to coral bleaching.

Kit for events

If you’re taking part in an event, check if there is any compulsory kit, such as tow floats or bright swim hats.

Think safety

Design your own mini first aid kit based on where you’ll be swimming. Consider items such as pain relief, plasters, antiseptic wipes, bite creams, friction creams, tick tweezers and hand sanitiser. Pack a couple of bright swim caps for visibility, a whistle and perhaps a small tow float.

Choose a bag carefully

Think about how you’ll be spending your days in and out of the water and choose a bag accordingly. Consider a wet-dry bag, which has waterproof sections for stashing your wet kit. Alternatively, bring a couple a dry bags to keep everything separate. Having a way to fix a damp costume to the outside of your bag is also useful.

Hand luggage only

It’s perfectly possible to go away for a weekend with hand-luggage only, even with a wetsuit, but you have to leave most of your other clothes behind! Bear in mind, though, there might be items that are hard to take through security such as sunscreen, anti-chafing cream and energy gels. If you’re taking a hold bag, pack your swimmers in your hand luggage in case it goes astray.

Swim travel products we love

Clever packing hacks, versatile layers and a post-swim pick me up

Passenger Compass Modular Clip On

£9.95

Always rooting about in a bag for your goggles? Pop them in this handy clip-on pocket bag and you’ll be ready for the water in no time. Alternatively, it’s great for phone, spare change and car keys.

Buy now

Wilds Yulex Body Warmer

£59.99

Add an additional layer of warmth to your core without having to pack a wetsuit with this bright and bold body warmer. The 3mm Yulex also provides extra buoyancy. It’s easy to pack, easy to wriggle in and out of, and it’s such a fun print!

Buy now

Keen Leiki Waterproof Hiking Shoe

£125

An ideal balance between lightweight and robust, the Leiki hiking shoe is waterproof yet breathable and great for riverside or coastal swim hikes. The womenspecific follows the contours of your feet and feels instantly snug and comfortable, while the cushioned foam sole feels suitably bouncy.

Buy now

Passenger Drop Recycled Wash Kit

£29.95

We love the bright aqua colour of this drop-down wash kit. With three compartments and a hanger, it’s ideal for a weekend away or a longer trip, and could just as easily carry swimming accessories or first aid basics as toiletries.

Buy now

Matador’s Flatpak Toiletry Bottle 3-Pack

£39.95

A simple, yet brilliant idea. These are ideal for camping or travelling light. Fill them with anything you need and then write the label to remind you what’s inside. You can clip and hang them when in use and they slide easily into any bag.

Buy now

Peak Drip Coffee Bags, Box of 10

£19.90

If you are fussy about your coffee, then you will love these coffee bags for on the go. Not only are they super practical and brilliantly designed, they make a flavorful proper coffee. The single-serve drip is perfectly proportioned and the packets are ideal for slipping into swim bags with a flask of hot water.

Buy now

All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews. Lead photo: Unsplash

The post How to pack for swim travel appeared first on Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

Not all recycling is equal, says Greg Swienton of Bureo, makers of this innovative material created from recycled fishing nets

Please can you introduce us to NetPlus…

NetPlus material is made from recycled fishing nets, reducing the harmful impact of fishing net waste on our ocean. Through the NetPlus recycling program, discarded nets are sourced directly from fishing communities before they can end up in the environment. The material is 100% traceable, meaning the entire process from collection through recycling is third-party audited and certified for material traceability. 

What qualities does NetPlus bring to swimwear?

Nylon is an engineered material known for its strength, durability and high performance characteristics, which is why the fishing industry chooses it for their nets as it stands up to the rough and demanding conditions. With NetPlus 100% post-consumer recycled nylon, there’s no sacrifice in its durability, performance, or longevity, which is crucial for swimwear. 

What makes NetPlus different from other recycled materials?

Not all recycling is equal. Many recycled materials are made with pre-consumer (or post-industrial) inputs, typically factory scraps from an inefficient industrial process. Fishing nets, on the other hand, were first used by fishermen before reaching the end of their useful life. By creating a more circular solution for discarded fishing nets, the use of NetPlus is helping to reduce the amount of plastic entering the ocean while keeping valuable nylon and material in circulation.

How do you hope the kit industry will respond?

By adopting the material! By empowering brands with high-quality recycled materials, we aim to have a ‘net positive’ impact on the environment and the communities we partner with. By choosing products made with the material, you are helping to reduce the amount of plastic entering the ocean.

Why are fishing nets a problem? 

Abandoned and lost fishing gear is considered one of the most harmful forms of ocean plastic pollution, making up an estimated 10% of marine litter. When discarded, these nets can entangle marine life, harm coral and seabed habitats and break down into microplastics. Once nets enter the marine environment, they become significantly more challenging and costly to collect, which is why we don’t pull ghost gear from the ocean and instead incentivise fishermen to give end-of-life nets for recycling. 

How do you collect the fishing nets? 

To date, we have sourced nets from 11 countries: Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, US, Seychelles, Panama, Mauritius, Brazil, and Japan. Through an incentivised recycling program, we work with fishermen to aggregate their nets at dedicated collection points to ensure they do not end up in landfill or the environment. We either pay fishermen directly for every kg of net returned, or donate funds for every kg received from commercial fishery partners to environmental non-profits focused on coastal and marine ecosystem health and clean energy and water projects.

Please can you explain the process of turning fishing nets into a performance fabric.

Step 1: Collecting: Discarded nets are sourced from fishing communities around the world through an incentivised recycling program.

Step 2: Processing: Nets are sorted, cleaned, shredded, and packed at Bureo facilities before heading to Bureo’s recycling partners.

Step 3: Recycling: Nylon fishing nets go through an advanced depolymerization recycling process where they are broken down into their chemical building blocks, with all dyes and impurities removed, and reconstructed into 100% NetPlus nylon pellets.

Step 4: Spinning: NetPlus nylon pellets are extruded into high-quality yarns ready to be woven into a range of performance fabrics. 

Step 5: Innovating: Fabrics made with NetPlus nylon meet rigorous standards to ensure durability and performance for brand partners like Passenger.

Which swimwear brands are using NetPlus?

Passenger will be the first UK brand partner using NetPlus in their men’s boardshorts. When designing their new boardshorts, they wanted to find a fabric that was quick-drying, durable and more sustainable.

A question for Hannah Jamieson, Menswear Designer at Passenger – why does this matter to the brand?

It’s always our aim at Passenger to use more responsible, recycled fabric options. When designing our new boardshorts, we wanted to find a fabric that was quick drying, durable, and more sustainable. We love the story about turning fishing nets into fabric, so using NetPlus in our boardshorts instead of virgin plastic was a no-brainer, fully aligned to the Passenger ethos.

Can you tell us more about the new Passenger boardshorts that will be made from NetPlus?

The fabric has a beautiful texture and a nice matte finish, and it looks great in Passenger’s summer colours and prints. We have a variety of different boardshort styles in our men’s range with different short lengths, but we also decided to utilise the NetPlus fabric in our bestselling ‘Drifter Beach Short’, which comes lined or unlined to suit different customer preferences. In our women’s range, we are using NetPlus fabric for our ‘Way Out Short’ and ‘Flaris All Purpose Short’, which are popular all-purpose styles perfect for paddleboarding and other outdoor activities. 

Find out more at bureo.co. PASSENGER Cruiser NetPlus® Recycled 19” Boardshort, £59.95. Photos: Courtesy of Bureo

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A new iteration of the natural rubber alternative to neoprene, Yulex 2.0 has a superior degree of stretch and elasticity. We spoke to Yulex CEO Liz Bui about this new innovation

What is Yulex?

Yulex is the world’s first plant-based replacement for neoprene, and it performs equally or better on all applications. Neoprene production is a non-sustainable and environmentally hazardous process in many ways. Nearly all neoprene is created using petroleum, which is a non-renewable and quickly depleting resource, and due to the artificial polymers used to make it, neoprene is hard to recycle at the end of life. Yulex was founded to create a sustainable and renewable plant-based alternative made from natural rubber sourced from hevea brasiliensis rubber trees. It was first adopted by Patagonia in 2014. Today, over 50 brands use Yulex, meaning customers don’t have to compromise and choose between performance and their impact on the planet.  

What is Yulex 2.0 and how does it differ from Yulex? 

Yulex 2.0 products have a superior degree of stretch and elasticity, which gives wearers a big range of movement and the swimsuits and wetsuits are easier to get on and take off. 

How is the natural rubber sourced? 

Yulex natural rubber is derived from renewable rubber tree forests from authorised natural rubber partners and plantations in Southeast Asia. We have over 1,500 smallholders in Vietnam and over 240 smallholders in Thailand. We can trace all our natural rubber back to the specific plot of land or smallholder, meaning we have full transparency and accountability as well as a commitment to improving their livelihoods.

How do you ensure the supply chain benefits local communities?

Like many farmers, natural rubber smallholders are often the most economically vulnerable in the supply chain, making significantly very low margins. We established our Equitable Agriculture programme to create a fairer, more equitable future for the natural rubber smallholders in our supply chain and we share a significant percentage of our raw material sales profits with them.

Which swimwear brands are using Yulex 2.0?

Finisterre uses the Yulex 2.0 foam in its new Kaia swimsuit range. Specifically designed for open water swimming and surfing, the Kaia swimsuit is made from 2mm Yulex natural rubber foam, providing an added layer of warmth, coverage and protection in the water. The Yulex 2.0 natural rubber foam gives enhanced stretch, ensuring an optimal range of movement while making the swimsuit easier to get on and take off.

Find out more at yulex.com. Finisterre Kaia 2mm Yulex® Swimsuit, £140.

Photos: Tim Davis

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While many open water wetsuits are muted blacks and greys, Wilda has created a suit that embraces the joy, vibrancy and individuality of open water swimming. In the run up to the launch of The Dart wetsuit, we spoke to Wilda founder Caitlin Paton

Why did you decide to launch Wilda?

We launched Wilda after seeing a gap in the market for high quality open water swimming wetsuits that celebrate individuality, colour and joy. As an open water swimmer myself I was frustrated at having to cover up my bold, colourful swimsuits with a simple black wetsuit, and wanted to inject some colour into the industry. We wanted to create a brand that celebrates the joy and fun of swimming outdoors in nature and encourages as many people as possible to get into the water whether you’re a complete beginner, or on your 10th marathon swim.

What inspired you to create something so vibrant?

The Dart is all about bringing fun and joy to outdoor swims, without compromising on function and comfort. It is bold and unapologetically colourful. The Dart is designed for the female form, with lower buoyancy in the legs and a broad size range available including tall options. The idea came to me while training for the Level Water Dart 10k, and once I had the idea, I couldn’t unsee the sea of black suits and wanted to inject colour and fun into every swim start line. Named after the beautiful Dart river where the idea was born, the wetsuit reflects the beauty of open water and swimming outdoors.

What kind of swimmer is The Dart designed for?

The Dart is designed for the swimmer who swims for the love of it. It has been designed to suit swimming longer distances in front crawl as well as breaststroke on those gentler swim days, and has been crafted to suit the female form. It is perfect for the swimmer who loves to express themselves, feel confident in what they are wearing, but values gear that is functional, comfortable and long-lasting.

Please can you tell us about the technical makeup of the wetsuit and how it works for different strokes?

The Dart uses a combination of neoprene thicknesses strategically placed to balance buoyancy, warmth, and flexibility. Yamamoto 39 Limestone neoprene has been used for the majority of the suit. The upper body is 3mm with a 4mm chest panel, and the legs are 3mm. This allows for a slightly reduced buoyancy in the legs, suited to the female physique, and to a more comfortable breaststroke position. The arms are made with ultra flexible Yamamoto 40 and 2.5mm thickness for extra flexibility and range of movement while swimming front crawl. Yamamoto limestone neoprene is beautifully insulating without being restrictive, and its durability means a well looked after suit should last season upon season. 

Can you tell us more about the cut and fit of the suit and why you made these decisions?


We know that women come in all shapes and sizes, and our bodies change and adapt as we move through different seasons of life. We wanted to create a wetsuit that felt flattering on all body shapes and allowed for stretch and movement to fit a range of body types. Our goal was to make a suit that feels like a second skin in the water, is relatively easy to get on and take off, and that suits swimming for leisure.

How did you reduce the environmental impact of the suit? 

Our core values are ‘Celebrate’, ‘Honesty’, ‘Environment’ and ‘Purpose’ and so it is crucial to us that we minimise our impact on the planet. Every part of the suit from linings to the zip puller has been carefully considered to balance environmental impact with function and durability. We chose Yamamoto neoprene because it is made from limestone rather than petrochemicals, which significantly reduces its carbon footprint. The limestone neoprene is incredibly durable and flexible resulting in better performance and a longer life – after all the most sustainable wetsuit is always going to be the one that lasts the longest. All polyester in the suit is recycled and the inner lining is partly plant-based. All of our packaging is recyclable or compostable at home and we ship from our manufacturer by sea to reduce our environmental impact. 

How’s the launch going?

The response has been amazing. From our initial prototype tests at Clevedon Marine Lake to displaying the Dart at the National Outdoor Expo, it’s been so great to have such positive feedback from swimmers who love the look and feel of the Dart. We have spoken to so many swimmers who are finally excited to wear a wetsuit and take on more outdoor swims! It has been really affirming to have such positive reviews from our early pre-orders and we can’t wait to see more colour on the start lines of events over the 2025 swimming season.

What’s the plan for this year and how can we follow your journey?

With the launch of our first wetsuit this month we are focussed on expanding our reach and building the Wilda community this year. We will be at Keswick Mountain Festival this month and supporting Bristol Harbour Swims monthly with free wetsuit hire. We hope to inspire more people to get swimming this year through sharing stories, experiences and embracing colour and joy! Follow us on Instagram @wildaswim and visit us at wilda-swim.com. 

WILDA The Dart (£265) launches 31 May. Read our review of The Dart wetsuit in our round up of the best open water wetsuits.

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How to rinse, wash, repair and store your wetsuit so that it lasts for many seasons to come

A wetsuit is a real investment, probably the most expensive piece of swimming kit you will buy. Careful and meticulous maintenance will keep it smelling fresh and help your wetsuit last longer. 

What to do after your swim

Saltwater, chlorine, sand, dirt and environmental toxins will slowly degrade wetsuit material, reducing the suit’s resilience over time. After you’ve finished your swim, always rinse your wetsuit thoroughly with cool fresh water, both inside and out. Close any Velcro fastenings (including on your gloves and booties) before packing your suit away in your kit bag to avoid scratching the delicate material. 

Drying your wetsuit

Once home, hang up your wetsuit, ideally doubled over by the waist so the water-heavy suit doesn’t stretch at the neck or shoulders. Invest in a sturdy hanger, like C-Monsta Wetsuit Hanger, which will hold your suit and all of your neoprene accessories. Avoid drying your wetsuit in the sun, but outside in the shade is fine. Once the outside is dry, turn the wetsuit inside out so it can dry on the inside, too. 

How to wash

Even if you’re meticulous with your after-swim routine, once in a while your wetsuit could do with a freshen up. Washing your wetsuit prevents neoprene degradation. Salt and chlorine deteriorate over time, meaning your suit might crack or tear; gently washing away these chemicals will extend a wetsuit’s life. It will also eliminate odours, remove sand and dirt and prevent mold and mildew. To wash your wetsuit, use an specialist eco-friendly wetsuit wash. Don’t use the washing machine, mix the solution in a large bucket or tub and follow the instructions, which usually suggest soaking the wetsuit for around half an hour. Thoroughly rinse it, then allow to dry. 

How to store

Store your wetsuit (the right way out) in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight. Hang it on a sturdy wide-shouldered hanger or doubled over a trouser hanger at the waist. If you’re putting a wetsuit away for the season, it’s better to hang it rather than to fold it up in a cupboard. Most importantly, make sure it is 100% dry before storing it. Also, give it a good once over to look for tears and scratches. Small tears can be repaired at home with neoprene adhesive; larger tears might need professional wetsuit repair service.

Wetsuit care products we love

C-MONSTA Wetsuit Hanger V2

£30

This seriously sturdy wetsuit hanger allows you to hang your wetsuit at the waist not the shoulders, drying your suit faster, ensuring it lasts longer and keeping all your kit in one place.

Buy now

GRANGERS Wetsuit
Wash

£9.95

This eco-friendly wash-in cleaner is specifically formulated to neutralise and remove deposits that cause neoprene to corrode, keeping them fresh, durable and ready for your next dip.

Buy now

C-MONSTA Split Bag

£55

An enormous 70L capacity kit bag, split into wet and dry sections, with strong carrying straps. Ideal for keeping your kit organised in the car or between swims.

Buy now

All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews. Photo: Zoggs.

The post How to care for your wetsuit appeared first on Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

Corca Mar makes sustainable kick floats and pull buoys from natural cork, a durable and functional alternative to EVA foam. We spoke to Founder, Rebecca Hill

What are the values behind Corca Mar?

Corca Mar was founded because I wanted to provide a sustainable alternative to swimming accessories when working with clients as an Aquaphobia Coach in Cornwall. I’ve always had a great appreciation for the ocean and how it has supported me physically and mentally throughout the years. Protecting our environment so it can be enjoyed by future generations is the driving aim of Corca Mar.

Why is cork better than EVA foam?

Cork has been used since ancient times in marine industries because it’s extremely durable and impermeable, making it ideal for swimming equipment. Most swimming gear is made from EVA foam, which is nearly impossible to recycle in the UK and ends up in landfill. Over time the foam also compresses and becomes significantly misshapen, which can contribute to early disposal. 

Where do you source the cork?

Cork is largely native to Mediterranean countries. We work with growers in Spain and Portugal to ensure the farming methods and social impact of the cork harvest is genuinely sustainable.

How do your floats differ from foam products?

Cork has a natural buoyancy. We designed Corca Mar products specifically with body ergonomics and material qualities in mind because cork is generally more buoyant than foam. Listening to our feedback has been especially important to us and customers often enjoy the texture and feel of the products. They often remark that they feel heavier, but also more stable in the water. 

What have you learnt since launching your brand?

We’ve been lucky to be supported by industry experts on carbon accounting through STRIDE at the University of Plymouth and impact analysis of use of cork compared to foam from Entrepreneurial Futures at the University of Exeter. As a new start up, we’ve been able to prioritise sustainability at all stages of production. Our commitment to the planet and the people on it is unwavering; we are always on the journey to do better.

Corca Mar Pull Buoy £20 and Kick Board £35.

The post Sustainable swimming kit: Meet Corca Mar appeared first on Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

Outdoor swimming coach and endurance swimmer, Rowan Clarke, tests Speedo’s new swim fins

Advertorial

Have you ever swum in fins? You get to feel what seals and dolphins must feel – the water rushing past you as you glide through, powered by your flippers.

Other than giving you super-human speed, swim fins are brilliant for training and exercising. I put on the brand-new Speedo x DMC Super Fins, which are designed for fitness in the pool and outdoors and took them swimming – and here are my top 9 reasons why swim fins are brilliant for training.

1. You can swim faster in swim fins

As I mentioned, swimming at dolphin speed feels amazing. But there are good reasons to swim faster – especially in open water. You can cover more distance more quickly, for starters. That might make you feel more confident, keep up with friends or a pod who swim faster, or complete a route more quickly. For example, I wore my Speedo x DMC Super Fins to swim a set loop at my local quarry more quickly as the water temperature was still in single figures (and giving me brain freeze).

2. They warm up your legs

Before we get into kicking technique, we can use swimming fins to warm up our legs. Your quads (thighs) and glutes (bum) are the biggest muscles in your body, so warming them up is really important – especially in cold water. The extra resistance you get from swim fins helps get these muscles working. Use soft silicone fins like the Speedo x DMC Super Fins to avoid getting cramp.

3. They improve your kick

If you swim front crawl, your kick only accounts for 80-90% of your propulsion. But your kick is still very important. Swim fins help you have a narrower, more efficient kick that comes from your hips – read Simon Griffith’s guide to better kick technique here. The Speedo x DMC fins are unique because they have a V-rail for “correct kick torque”. That means that they help your legs and feet rotate with your body during a kick, generating forward motion and reducing drag. 

4. They help improve your body position

Talking of reducing drag, swim fins help you get a better body position. This is because they increase the surface area of your feet, creating more power when you kick, lifting your legs and making you more streamlined in the water.

5. Swim fins power up your workout

I don’t know about you, but I can be super lazy with kicking, especially when I’m swimming a long, leisurely swim. When I swim in the Speedo x DMC Super Fins, I notice a huge difference in my swim fitness. This is because your legs get a real workout in swim fins from the increased resistance and powering those big quad and glute muscles. So, if you’re short on time (and the water is still cold), swim fins will give you a higher intensity workout.

6. They make your ankles more flexible

Your ankles probably aren’t the first body part you think about when swimming, but flexible ankles mean more fluid kicking motion in all swimming strokes. If you’re a breaststroke swimmer where the kick is 80-90% of your propulsion, kicking in front crawl or front paddle wearing flippers will help your breaststroke kick too.

7. Swim fins help you practice skills at speed

When you’re practicing technique and swimming skills, you have to swim much slower than usual. But when you power up with fins, you can master those skills at speed. For example, I was practising breathing in choppy waves in slow motion. So, I popped on my Speedo x DMC Super Fins and moved faster while practising so that when I was swimming for real, I was a dab hand and getting in that breath.

8. Swim fins take the pressure off your shoulders

Like a lot of swimmers, I suffer from shoulder injuries. I love being able to swim front crawl with less pressure on my shoulders. It feels good to concentrate on moving my arms correctly through the water without the full pressure of pulling myself up and down the pool.

9. Swim fins add variety to your training

This is my last point, but it’s one of my favourite reasons for using swim fins. Swimming can get boring, especially in the pool. So, mixing up your training session or outdoor swim by adding a pair of fins is fantastic for your mind as well as your body. Don’t use them all the time – you don’t want them to become a crutch. Instead, add sets of lengths wearing fins or use them outdoors when your motivation needs a boost.

About the fins

Speedo x DMC Fins range has four sets of fins for different types of swimming – all with that patented V-rail that I mentioned earlier. I tested the Super Fins, which are designed for swim fitness for all swimmer levels in the pool or outdoors.

They come with a clip and carabiner so you can easily attach them to the outside of your bag. This makes you look super pro, but it also means they can drip-dry after your swim.

They’re really comfortable to wear with or without neoprene swim socks. What impresses me the most, though, is how soft the blades are compared to other fins. The power they gave my kick was wonderful, but my legs didn’t get fatigued at all. Plus, I’m prone to cramping in my calves, but I was completely cramp-free – even in water that was 7.5˚C.

Speedo x DMC Super Fins in Green/Yellow RRP £50

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Care is still needed for spring swimming as the water is still cold and the weather can be fickle at this time of year

Swimming into spring from winter dips can be a welcome relief. You need a little less kit, you can take a little extra time after you get out of the water and there is a chance of warming sun on your back as you swim. Spring swimming gives you cool water temperatures and warming air. You might find mist dancing across your favourite swim spot in the mornings and any sunshine can alleviate the shivers. But care is still needed as the water is still cold and the weather can be fickle at this time of year.

Spring cleaning isn’t just reserved for our homes – now is a great time to review, clean and care for your swim kit.

Here are some swim kit spring tips:

• If you own or swim in a wetsuit, dig it out and give it a proper clean, fix any snags or tears, try it on and consider investing in a new one, taking care to recycle the old.
• Tow floats can get holes in the seams, inflate yours and then submerge in water in a bathtub or bucket, look for air bubbles and find holes.
• Are your goggles fogging up or scratched? Is it time for a new pair? See our guide from page 44 onwards.
• Swimsuits can thin and perish with repeated wear. Check around the bum or areas where you sweat, avoid rips or translucent fabric and save your modesty
• If you tend to leave a big change robe at home come summer, now is a good time to wash that too. Many are now machinewashable, check the label. Hang outside on a dry, bright day.
• Enjoy what the season has to offer!

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