For some open water and early-season swimmers, a wetsuit is an essential piece of equipment that provides buoyancy, warmth, and protection. However, for those with sensory issues or neurodivergent conditions, the experience of wearing a wetsuit can be overstimulating and overwhelming. The constricting fabric, the sensation of being enveloped, and the changes in temperature can all contribute to discomfort. Here are some strategies to help ease the transition into wearing a wetsuit for open...

Early-season open-water races have a special kind of drama to them. Most participants have been trapped inside, training in pools, on treadmills, and on stationary bikes. Many swimmers either live in places where open water training opportunities aren't accessible through the winter, or are too cold to get real distance training in. The good news is, you can still train for open water in a pool environment so you're ready for your early-season races. In this article, I'm hoping to...

Back in 2008, Suzie Dods was in Greece with a group of non-swimmers who were learning how to become swimmers. They were staying at a great hotel with three beaches within a ten-minute walk. Each beach was gentle and accessible for beginners, but also offered a a little environmental variety for confident swimmers as well. It was somewhere between the first few dips and the laughter from the group from being in a swimmer's paradise that Suzie realized: This needs to be a swim trip.   Not...