Your Essential Kit Guide for the Great North Swim

By Rebecca Wetten, Co-Founder & Head Coach at Catch

Whether you're training for 250m, 1 mile or the 5k, the right kit makes your Great North Swim prep smoother, warmer & far more enjoyable. Here’s exactly what you need for both training & race day.

The Essentials

A well-fitting wetsuit (or swimsuit)

For most swimmers at the Great North Swim, a wetsuit may well be the best choice. It's also compulsory for temperatures below 15 degrees (See wetsuit policy here). It keeps you warm, adds buoyancy (which improves your body position & makes swimming feel easier) & helps you feel calm in the water.

If you prefer to swim skins or you’re doing shorter distances, a snug swimsuit works too - just make sure it’s comfortable & not dragging (Swimmers choosing not to wear a wetsuit MUST use an approved high visibility tow float).

Goggles

Absolutely essential for both training & race day. You don’t want leaks or fog blocking your view.

Look for:

• Anti-fog lenses
• Comfortable fit
• Mirrored lenses for bright days, or clear for dull days (if in doubt, go clear so you can see clearly no matter the weather)

Swim hat

You’ll get an official Great North Swim hat on race day, but you’ll still need your own swim hat for training. Bright colours are good for visibility - & they’re fun. View Catch swim hats here.

Anti-chafe cream

This is critical, & often forgotten! It stops your wetsuit or swimsuit rubbing anywhere you might chafe (the neck is the most common spot). My favourite is Ocean Lube - a small UK brand, eco-friendly & brilliant for long swims.

Training Game Changers

Tow float

Use this for open water training (you’ll also use one on race day if you're swimming skins). A tow float helps you stay visible & can carry essentials like your phone or snacks.

Session slate

Write your pool or lake session on a session slate, prop it by the water, wipe clean after. Much better than soggy printouts or trying to memorise your set.

Pull buoy

A pull buoy lifts your legs so you can focus on building strength & focusing on your upper-body technique.

Kickboard

A Kickboard is ideal for practising an efficient kick & improving your ankle mobility. Kick with a kickboard is a great workout too!

Hand paddles

Hand paddles are great for building strength & improving how effectively you catch & pull the water. Start small: using smaller paddles for shorter periods, then building up, protects your shoulders while still giving you the benefits.

Short flippers

Flippers are perfect for:

• Building ankle flexibility
• Keeping momentum while swimming slowly & focusing on technique
• Helping you develop an efficient kick

Neoprene hats, gloves & booties

Useful for early spring swims as you build up to race season. Neoprene hats, gloves & booties help keep your extremities warm so you can stay in the water long enough to train well. Brands worth checking out are Zone3, C-Skins, Orca or Decathlon if you’re after a solid budget option

Bonus: Sportswatch

Not essential, but if you enjoy tracking progress or want the feeling of a coach on your wrist, it’s a game-changer. With Catch Gold, you can sync your Garmin or Apple Watch so your sessions appear directly on your watch. It’ll guide your intervals, count lengths, track rest & take away all the thinking.

If you like structure & taking away the thinking, this is bliss.

Want support all the way to race day?

If you’d like a personalised plan, weekly technique lessons & coaching, the Catch app can guide you from now to Windermere.

With Catch Gold, you’ll get:

• A personalised training plan for your GNS distance
• Weekly technique video lessons
• Open water skill guidance
• Unlimited coach support
• A friendly community cheering you on

Use code GNS26 for:

• A 7-day free trial
• £5 off your first 3 months

Catch Gold is your own swim coach in your pocket - helping you swim further, faster & with far more confidence.

Written by Rebecca Wetten, Co-Founder & Head Coach at Catch.