What is a tow float and why do open water swimmers use them?
You may have seen us swimming in Lake Whakatipu with brightly-coloured tow floats attached to our waists. We often get questions about what they are and whether they’re necessary – so we’ve answered some common concerns and questions here.
First up…
What is a tow float?
A tow float or swim buoy is a brightly-coloured inflatable bag which swimmers wear attached to their waist by a thin belt.
They help you be seen in the water and can provide psychological comfort for new swimmers or those going on a longer mission.
At the Southern Lakes Swimming Club, we aim to be your friends in the water. We’re here to help promote safe open water swimming, but ultimately, you’re in charge of your safety.
A tow float is one of the ways you can keep yourself safe. They help you stay visible to other water users.
It’s important to remember that tow floats aren’t designed to be floatation or safety devices – that is, they’re not supposed to be used to save lives or help you swim or stay afloat if you get into trouble.
Reasons to wear a tow float
1. You can be seen by other water users
Lake Whakatipu and many of the other lakes in the Southern Lakes region are popular with boaties and kayakers. While a brightly coloured cap is useful, there’s nothing quite like a tow float to make you visible.
2. You can be seen by other swimmers
When you’re in the water, it can be hard to see other swimmers. Wetsuits are typically black and blend in with dark blue waters. Skin swimmers sit lower in the water and can’t be easily seen either. A tow float is easy to see from a distance. During night swims, attaching a light (or putting one inside the bag section) can improve your visibility even more.
3. They double as a dry bag
Some tow floats come with a roll-up dry bag section, which can be used to store snacks. Bonus! With the rise in open water swimming, we’re starting to see a lot of fun designs, too. We’ve seen duck-shaped tow floats, tow floats with emergency lights and whistles, and some extra-large tow floats, which can be used to carry shoes, drinks, etc.
4. Helps rescue services
Tow floats make it much easier to find and rescue swimmers. As well as the visibility aspect, rescuers can grab swimmers by the tow float belt and haul them into a rescue boat more easily than grabbing an ankle or arm!
5. You can hold on if you need to
Although they’re not designed as floatation devices, you can cling to the tow float to help you float while you chat, or do some quick stretches if you get cramps. We’ve even seen people using them as a kickboard.
Why some people don’t like tow floats (and hacks to help)
1. They’re not allowed in some record swims
If you’re swimming to establish a record for an unassisted swim, a tow float is typically not allowed because you can hold on to them, and this is seen as assistance. In these cases, the swimmer usually has other safety precautions – like a flotilla of observers!
2. They can jump about in choppy and windy situations
This is genuinely annoying! A clever hack is to put something inside the bag – muesli bars, a jumper, or even some water – this weights down the bag and helps to prevent it from being tossed about in the wind.
3. The tow float gets caught on the swimmer’s back or legs
The hack above can help this, as can adjusting the length of the rope so that the float sits above the small of the back or trails behind the feet. Play around and find out what works for you – this does depend on your body position.
4. False sense of security
Swimmers need to build up true security in the water, not their ‘sense’ of security. Always be aware of your abilities and the conditions.
Although we haven’t made tow floats compulsory at the Southern Lakes Swimming Club, we do strongly encourage them. We sometimes make them compulsory for swimming events. We believe that, despite a few slightly irritating drawbacks, tow floats make open water swimming safer and more enjoyable for both the swimmer and those around them.
You can loan a tow float from us on club swim days, and club members can buy a discounted tow float from the club.