What to Buy for an Open Water Swim

An open water swim needs more than swim caps and route markers. You also need clearly marked start and finish points, safety equipment, waterproof storage and a practical setup for registration, timing and refreshments. This shopping list covers the items to prepare the course, support swimmers on the water and keep dry clothing, food and drinks organised on shore. Check quantities against your swimmer count, starter groups and the length of the route before buying or reserving anything.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage boxesqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 120
Bowlsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving traysqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 8
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Sound system
Microphonesqty 2
First aid kitsqty 2
Digital thermometersqty 2
Mobile phoneqty 2

Sports equipment

Start and finish buoysqty 4
Route buoysqty 12
Swim capsqty 120
Finisher medalsqty 120
Race bib strapsqty 120
Stopwatchesqty 6
Counting framesqty 3
Life ringsqty 8
Rescue linesqty 4
Paddlesqty 8
Inflatable kayaksqty 4
Waterproof bagsqty 8
Waterproof walkie-talkiesqty 8
Thermal blanketsqty 30

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Route signsqty 14
Directional signsqty 10
Start/finish banner
Barrier tapeqty 6
Traffic conesqty 20
Ground pegsqty 30

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Ice packsqty 30
Jerry cansqty 6

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand broomsqty 3
Trash binsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 180 bottles
- Spa Rood - 30 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 120 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Lemon slices - 2 nets
- Sandwiches - 140 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 6 loaves
- Cheese - 4 kilogram
- Ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Egg salad - 8 tubs
- Butter - 3 tubs
- Jam - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Nut-free muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Bananas - 120 pieces
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Oranges - 80 pieces
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Vegetable soup - 12 liters
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Vegetarian soup - 6 litres
- Breadsticks - 8 packs
- Croutons - 4 bags
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Garlic powder - 1 canister
- Herb mix - 2 containers
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 30 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 2 kilogram
- Vegan soup - 4 liters
- Lactose-free milk - 2 liters
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 3 packs
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 50
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cooler bag packs - 6 packs
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Napkin holders - 8 pieces
- Labels for diet meals - 100 pieces
- Permanent markers - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one swim cap and one race bib strap per participant, plus a small spare supply for last-minute replacements. Prepare start numbers only after registrations and participant confirmations are complete.
Use separate start and finish buoys from the route buoys so swimmers can identify the course endpoints quickly. Place enough route buoys to make every turn visible from the water.
Keep life rings, rescue lines, paddles and inflatable kayaks with the safety team rather than in the general equipment area. Confirm who handles each item before swimmers enter the water.
Pack waterproof bags for phones, documents and dry essentials, and provide storage boxes for equipment that must stay together. Allow extra capacity for late arrivals and wet items after the swim.
For refreshments, match reusable cups, plates, bowls and cutlery to the confirmed participant count, then add a small buffer. Fill coolers shortly before the start and arrange coffee machines or kettles where they will not obstruct registration.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for an open water swim?: At minimum, plan course markers, swim caps, race bib straps, stopwatches and safety equipment such as life rings and rescue lines. For a supported event, also arrange paddles or inflatable kayaks and waterproof bags. The exact quantity depends on the number of swimmers and the route layout.
How many swim caps and race numbers should I buy?: Buy one swim cap and one race bib strap for every confirmed participant, then add roughly 5% spare supplies. For example, 100 swimmers means 105 caps and straps. Finalise quantities after registration closes and starter groups are assigned.
How many route buoys do I need for an open water swim?: Use one buoy for the start and one for the finish, then add a visible marker at every turn. A short, straight course may need 4 to 6 total buoys, while a longer or winding route needs more. Check visibility from the water before the event rather than relying on distance alone.
When should I prepare the safety equipment and coolers?: Confirm and inspect safety equipment at least one day before the swim, including life rings, rescue lines and kayaks. Fill coolers shortly before participants arrive so drinks stay cold. Complete the final weather and water-safety check on the event morning.

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