How to Use a Tow Float for Safer, More Enjoyable Outdoor Swims

Why a Tow Float Belongs on Every Open-Water Swim

Using a tow float is one of the simplest ways to make outdoor swimming feel safer, calmer, and more enjoyable. A good tow float makes you easier to spot, gives you something to hold onto for a short rest and offers a practical spot to stash a few essentials. For many regular wild swimmers in the UK, it has become just as standard as goggles and a hat.

At SwimCell, we design kit that we genuinely use ourselves. Our Swimming Tow Float (13L) is built for open water and travel lovers who want safety gear that is easy to pack, easy to use and not overcomplicated. In this guide, we will walk through how to use a tow float correctly, what to keep in it, and how to stay safer and more confident when swimming in UK lakes, rivers and coastal water.

Getting to Know Your SwimCell Tow Float

A tow float is an inflatable buoy that clips around your waist and floats behind you while you swim. It moves with you, sitting on the surface, so it does not affect your stroke but makes you much more visible to other water users. Our SwimCell Swimming Tow Floats (all 13L) is designed around that simple idea, with a few details that make a big difference in real water.

Key features of the SwimCell Swimming Tow Float (13L) include:

• 13L capacity, giving plenty of buoyancy without feeling bulky.
• A bright, high-visibility colour so you stand out in choppy or low-light conditions.
• An adjustable and attached waist belt and leash that let the float sit comfortably behind you.

We offer two types of tow floats for open water swimming. A standard bubble tow float, is designed primarily for visibility and support, with a single air chamber. The second is a dry-bag style tow float which adds a roll-top compartment intended to keep items dry as well as afloat. 

The dry-bag style can be handy for longer swims where you want to carry light clothing or a small towel, but plenty of swimmers prefer the stripped-back feel of a standard float and keep valuables in separate waterproof pouches.

On a SwimCell tow float you will find:

• An easy-to-use inflation valve on the top of the float.
• A leash that’s connected to the tow float so you can’t lose it.
• On the dry bag model, a whistle built into the buckle.

Before you head to the water, take time at home to inflate the swimming float and adjust the belt to a size that fits around your waist comfortably. The more familiar it feels on land, the more natural it will feel when you are stood on a cold slipway or shingle beach.

How to Fit and Inflate Your Tow Float Correctly

Set-up is simple, but doing it properly will make your swim feel smoother and safer. Start with a quick check:

• Valves closed and sitting flat.
• Seams and fabric free from obvious cuts or deep scuffs.
• Waist strap untangled with the buckle working easily.

To inflate, open the valve and blow until the tow float is nicely rounded but still has a little give if you press it with your thumb. Over-inflating can put extra strain on seams, especially in colder water where the air inside may contract, then expand again as it warms in the sun. A bit of softness is ideal.

Fit the waist belt over your wetsuit, or directly over your costume or trunks if you are swimming in those. Adjust it so it is comfortable around your waist or hips, not sliding down but not digging in. The leash should be long enough that the float sits behind your knees, not bumping your heels. If it is knocking into your legs, lengthen the leash slightly or shift the belt so the clip point is centred on your back.

For UK conditions with your SwimCell float:

• Leave a touch more slack in the inflation on very cold days to allow for changes in air pressure.
• In choppy seas, keep the belt slightly higher on your waist so the float tracks more cleanly behind you.
• In weedy lakes or rivers, keep an eye on the leash so it does not catch; a gentle tug usually frees it.

Swim a few strokes close to shore to check it feels balanced before you head further out.

Smart Storage: What to Carry in Your Tow Float

A tow float with a dry bag is mainly used for visibility and buoyancy, but it can still help with storage. It is important to understand the difference between keeping things dry and simply keeping them attached to you. Anything that must stay dry, like a phone or car key fob, should go in a reliable waterproof case before being stowed in the float.

Typical items UK swimmers might carry in a SwimCell tow float include:

• A small energy snack, such as an oat bar or sweets.
• A compact water bottle or HydraMate collapsible bottle for before and after your swim.
• Spare goggles or earplugs.
• A hat or lightweight gloves if you are prone to getting chilly.
• Keys and bank card in a small waterproof pouch or phone case.
  

When using our SwimCell tow float, think about balance. Keep heavier items centred, close to the middle of the float, rather than all at one end. If your float has external attachment points, use them for light items only so they do not drag the float sideways. If it starts to flip or twist, you can usually correct this by redistributing weight or slightly adjusting how much air is in each chamber.

For more remote swims, it is sensible to keep:

• A small emergency swimming whistle attached to the grab handle or belt 
• A basic first aid item, such as a plaster or wound wipe, sealed in a little pouch.
  

The key is not to overload the float. It is there to support you and make you visible, not to carry your entire kit bag.

Visibility and Safety Best Practice in UK Waters

On busy UK lakes, reservoirs, rivers and coastal beaches, a bright tow float acts like a little flag on the surface. Paddleboarders, kayakers and other wild swimmers can spot you earlier and give you space. Safety boats at managed venues also find it easier to keep track of swimmers who have a clear, bright marker behind them.

Use your SwimCell tow float as part of your safety plan:

• In an emergency, you can rest your weight lightly on the float while you catch your breath.
• If you need to attract attention, raise an arm and use the float to make your silhouette larger, and use a whistle if you have one.
• When changing direction, keep the float between you and any approaching craft so your position is obvious.
  

Remember, a tow float is not a life jacket. It offers reassurance and support for short rests, but you should still be confident that you can manage the distance, water temperature and conditions.

UK-specific points to bear in mind:

• On popular coastal beaches, a tow float can help distinguish you from the chopy waves and white water.
• In cold water, the psychological comfort of having a float to rest on for a few seconds can stop mild panic from building.
• In rivers or estuaries, check local guidance first and be sure your float will not catch on debris or overhanging branches.

Used consistently, a SwimCell tow float becomes part of a set of simple habits that make each swim feel calmer and more controlled.

Care, Cleaning and When to Replace Your Tow Float

Looking after your tow float does not take long, and it extends its life significantly. After each swim, especially in salt water or murky lakes, rinse the float in fresh water. Pay particular attention to the valves and seams, as sand and grit can work their way into folds and cause wear over time.

To store it:

• Gently squeeze out the air, starting away from the valves and working towards them.
• Pat it dry with a towel, then leave it to air dry out of direct sunlight.
• Roll or fold it loosely and store it flat in your kit bag, car or campervan.

Signs that it might be time to replace your tow float include:

• Persistent air leaks that reappear even after checking valves.
• Deep cracks or heavy wear on the straps or leash.
• Broken or unreliable clips that no longer fasten securely.
  

A well-cared-for SwimCell tow float is a small investment that supports you on every outing. By rinsing, drying and checking it regularly, you keep it ready for those last-minute dips when the weather and water look inviting.

Take Your Tow Float on Your Next Swim

A tow float offers three big benefits in one simple piece of kit: visibility, light support and a bit of storage. For UK outdoor swimmers, especially those building confidence in colder, open water, it can be the difference between feeling anxious and feeling prepared. Once you have used one a few times, swimming without it often feels oddly exposed.

Start by practising with your SwimCell tow float in familiar water, perhaps a local managed venue or your regular lake. As you get used to how it sits and moves, you can bring it along for longer swims, coastal dips and swimming trips away from home. Our SwimCell Swimming Tow Floats are designed to slot neatly into that kind of life: easy to pack, easy to use and built for people who love being in open water.

Stay Safer And More Visible On Every Open Water Swim

Ready to feel more confident in the water and make yourself easier to spot? Explore our carefully designed swimming tow float range to add buoyancy and visibility to your next swim. If you are unsure which option suits your ability or conditions, simply contact us and we will help you choose. At SwimCell, we are here to support you so you can enjoy open water swimming with greater peace of mind.

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