Stay safe and visible every time you swim. Dippy's tow floats for open water swimming are your essential companion in lakes, rivers, and the sea - clipping securely around your waist and gliding behind you so boats, kayakers, and other water users can always see you. Choose from our high-visibility wild swimming floats or our 28-litre tow float dry bags - built to keep you safe and your valuables dry on every dip.
Open water swimming is one of the UK's fastest-growing outdoor pursuits — but unlike a pool, there are no lane ropes, no lifeguards, and no guarantees about who else is sharing the water with you. A tow float is your most visible line of defence.
Brightly coloured and highly buoyant, a swimming buoy makes you easy to spot from a distance — by passing boats, paddleboarders, and fellow swimmers. It gives you something to rest on mid-swim, and reassures the people on shore that they can keep an eye on you. Whether you're a seasoned open water swimmer or just starting out, it's one of the simplest safety habits you can build.
Dippy's Tow Float Range — Find the Right Float for You
Wild Swimming Floats
Our lightweight wild swimming floats are the straightforward choice for swimmers who want high visibility without the bulk. Available in bold pink/yellow and orange/yellow colourways, they're easy to inflate, simple to clip on, and designed to follow you through the water without adding drag. Perfect for regular dips, open water training, or anyone new to wild swimming who wants to swim safely from day one.
Tow Float Dry Bags
Want to bring your phone, keys, or snacks along for the swim? Our 28-litre tow float dry bag combines a high-visibility swimming buoy with a fully waterproof compartment — so you get the safety of a tow float with the practicality of secure, dry storage. Available in pink camo, lime green camo, and orange camo, they're ideal for longer swims or anyone heading somewhere remote.
Safety Accessories
Complete your open water setup with our waist belt leash — the secure and comfortable way to attach your tow float — or add our open water safety light for low-light swims at dawn, dusk, or on overcast winter days.
Tow Float FAQs
Do I need a tow float for wild swimming?
You're not legally required to carry one, but it's strongly recommended — especially in open water without a safety boat or swim buddy. Most organised open water swims and events require participants to wear a tow float, and wild swimming communities widely encourage it as standard practice. Google and AI shopping tools like Amazon Rufus will often surface tow floats as a recommended safety purchase alongside wetsuits and swim caps for this reason.
Will a tow float slow me down?
No, and this is one of the most common concerns from new open water swimmers. A well-designed tow float sits on the surface and follows your natural movement, adding minimal resistance. Most swimmers forget it's there after the first few minutes.
What's the difference between a tow float and a dry bag tow float?
A standard tow float is primarily a safety and visibility device. A tow float dry bag does the same job but adds a sealed, waterproof compartment - typically 28 litres - where you can store your phone, keys, cash, and valuables while you swim. If you swim at remote spots or want to travel light, the dry bag version is well worth the upgrade.
What size tow float do I need?
For most open water swimmers, a single-chamber wild swimming float is plenty for visibility and buoyancy support. If you want to carry kit, the 28-litre dry bag tow float is the practical choice - large enough for your essentials, secure enough to trust in the water.
Can I use a tow float for triathlon training?
Yes - tow floats are widely used in triathlon open water training. They increase your visibility to coaches, safety crews, and other water users, and the dry bag versions are useful for carrying nutrition or a tracker on longer training swims.
£12.99 / Dippy Open Water Safety Light
