Staffan Björklund, former world swimrun champion and current sports director of Otillo Swimrun, agrees. He’s been in this job for 18 years, starting with driving a safety boat at the first event in Sweden, and now running Otillo around the world in host cities such as Cannes, France, Gothenburg, and Engadin, Switzerland. I am in charge of special events. Located in Casco Bay, Switzerland and the United States.
“There are no limits when it comes to swimruns,” he enthuses, having just completed his penultimate event of the year in the south of France. “Usually, if you come to water on a run, that’s it. Swimming and connecting islands is seamless and opens up new possibilities. Our race is more of an adventure than a standard race, and I Our community is small and growing, so you can meet some really nice people.”
Which kit do I need?
The most complicated part of Swimrun is the kit list, but even that is very simple. Ideally, you’ll need a specialist wetsuit with a front zipper. We do not recommend reusing surfing or swimming wetsuits. For swim runs you want something lightweight that ends at the elbows and knees to prevent you from getting too hot in the run section and to give you a place to put other kit inside.
Mud and wet rock sections require trainers with good grip. Two pairs of Hoka Trails is all you need. You’ll be swimming there, so the more waterproof the better. Floats and buoys to help you swim are also a must. Wearing trainers will make your feet too heavy to kick in the water. And use hand paddles to reduce drag in the water. Again, the feet won’t help much here.
We recommend training at least a few times with all the necessary kit before competing in a race. If you’re entering as a team, we also recommend investing in leashes, especially to keep you and your partner connected while swimming.
“You don’t need a lot of equipment. You don’t need an expensive bike,” says Bjorklund. “It’s very easy to participate compared to other sports where you have to pay a lot of money to participate.”
“Buy a large pool buoy, especially if you have no swimming experience,” he advises. “And you’ll also need a swim cap and appropriate goggles.”
How can I train?
I wasn’t good at swimming, so I practiced by swimming long distances in pools and the ocean. For other open water options around the UK, it’s worth registering with NOWCA to find swimming locations near you. I then put it all together by taking a crotch swim at a local beach, running outside, running to the next section, swimming back again, and repeat.
You’ll need a decent level of fitness to get started, but it helps to have at least some ability in the water. “The best teams are from swimming backgrounds,” Bjorklund says. “Swimmers can learn how to run, but runners find it difficult to swim.”
The most difficult parts of the race are the transitions, the slippery rocky slopes in and out of the water, which tend to disrupt the flow of your run, but can also make all your kit very unwieldy. As Björklund says, you can “mark time.”
Even though he had practiced beforehand, he definitely fell and skinned his foot, and possibly broke a finger during one of the many transitions. “Make sure to practice your transitions,” says Bjorklund. “If you’re in a pool, you can actually swim 50 meters or 100 meters, then come out, run around the pool, and then go back in.” But do this with special care. please.
