FINA, the international governing body of swimming, are considering draft rules on the legalities of wearing wetsuits at the Rio 2016 Olympic games open-water events. The chairman of the FINA Swimsuit Approval Commission has been asked to draw up draft rules for the wearing of neoprene wetsuits in Open Water competitions where the water temperatures are likely to be below 18ºC-20ºC.
One problem that sea swimmers complain of again and again is chafing. Swimming in salt water is a whole different game to swimming in a chlorinated pool, or indeed fresh water. If you're going to be undertaking any marathon swims, or perhaps you have your sights set on swimming the British Channel, then pay close attention this could save you some serious soreness!
A wife and mother from Portstewart has given herself the challenge of swimming more than 13 miles in open water from County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland to the town of Portstewart in Northern Ireland. Heather Clatworthy plans to fulfill a lifelong dream with her long distance sea swim this summer, as well as fundraising for the RNLI and the Portstewart Outdoor Recreation Fund. Heather wants to raise £1000 with her endurance challenge this July but admits that the main focus is simply finishing the gruelling ocean swim...