Rowan Clarke

Swimming Gear Contributor

Rowan Clarke

More at home in the water than on it, Rowan Clarke is a freelance specialist writer and journalist, open water endurance swimmer and coach. With a lifelong compulsion for flinging herself into any body of cold water, Rowan started swimming in open-water endurance events in 2015. As well as swimming in open water marathons like the Dart 10k, she has competed in National and World Winter Swimming Championships, sprinting in water as cold as -1 degrees Centigrade. She coaches in Clevedon, Somerset, and also specialises in writing about outdoor swimming.

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Deakin & Blue X-Back Swimsuit for outdoor swimming

Deakin & Blue X-Back Swimsuit Best overall swimsuit for open water swimming This is hands-down the most comfortable, supportive, beautiful swimsuit I’ve found. On its own or underneath a wetsuit,…

Deakin & Blue Sports Swimbra for open water swimming

Deakin & Blue Sports Swimbra Best outdoor swimming bikini Sometimes I prefer to wear a bikini, especially under a wetsuit. So, it’s a joy to find a supportive bikini that…

Chilly Swim Neoprene Swimsuit for cold water swimming

Chilly Swim Star Bum Best swimsuit for winter dipping Sometimes you put on a swimsuit that makes you walk a bit taller. This beautiful limestone neoprene swimsuit does just that.…

Lomo Nuotare Best Plus Size Open Water Swimming Wetsuit for curvy women

Lomo Nuotare Ladies Swimming Wetsuit in Tall Wide A Best multisport durable wetsuit Lomo’s inclusive sizing is unbeatable. Not only catering for different sized curves, it also accommodates different heights.…

Batoko open water swimsuit

Batoko swimsuit Best vibrant sustainable swimsuit If you’re an outdoor swimmer, you’ve probably seen a Batoko swimsuit. These gorgeous sea-themed swimsuits are everywhere. And, with great eco-credentials and fun designs,…

Yonda Spook plus size wetsuit women's open water swimming wetsuit

Yonda Spook Wetsuit in XXXL Best entry-level all-round outdoor swimming wetsuit Yonda’s size range is probably the most inclusive out there. So, wonderful for someone who struggles to find a…

Alpkit Dulsie Best long-sleeved open water swimsuit Comfortable and flattering, we love Alpkit’s long-sleeved swimsuit for added protection and coverage when swimming outdoors. A long-sleeved swimsuit is great for keeping…

Orca Core One-Piece Swimsuit for open water swimming

Orca Women’s Core One Piece Swimsuit Best sporty one-piece swimsuit The Core One Piece is Orca’s good-looking, quality take on the classic, sporty swimsuit. A big fan of the sea…

HUUB Araya Siren Best Plus Size Open Water Swimming Wetsuit for curvy women

HUUB Araya Wetsuit in size ‘Siren’ Best performance wetsuit for plus-size outdoor swimmers HUUB is renowned for its high-performing open water swimming kit. And so, it is exciting that plus-size…

Wallien Yemaya Swimsuit for open water swimming

Wallien Yemaya Swimsuit Best sustainable swimsuit for pool and open water Stylish, durable and sustainably made – we love Wallien’s swimwear for wild swimming. The Yemaya swimsuit is a beautifully…

7 of the best open water swimsuits for women

What’s the best swimwear for outdoor swimming? And how do you choose what to buy? From wild swimming dips to open water training and events, the right swimwear will make…

The best plus size swimming wetsuits

For plus-size swimmers, wetsuit shopping can be a nightmare. While average women’s dress sizes in the UK and US are 16 to 18 (EU size 44), most wetsuits don’t go…

Orca Killa Comfort Open Water Goggles

Orca Killa Comfort Swimming Goggles Most comfortable open-water swimming goggles Killa Comfort by name, killer comfort by nature – you’ll forget you’re wearing these fantastic all-rounders. Named after the apex…

Soul Cap Kellerman Goggles

            Soul Cap Kellerman Mirror Goggles Best low-profile goggles These smart, low-profile goggles are perfect for open-water swimming adventures. Named after Annette Kellerman, a women’s…

HUUB Ryft Goggles

HUUB Ryft Open Water Photochromic Swim Mask Best swim mask For fantastic vision, you can’t beat this superb swim mask. HUUB is well-known for creating the best-performing open-water swimming gear,…

Swans Ascender Open Water Goggles

Swans Ascender Open Water Goggles Best all-around open water goggles Comfortable, adjustable and great vision – no wonder these are the goggles our sea swimming tester reaches for again and…

Beeway Goggles Open Water Swimming

Beeway Swimming Goggles with attached earplugs Best budget open water goggles Comfortable, easy to fit and with great vision – these are great budget goggles for swimming outdoors. If you’re…