So Simple In The Open Water – So Much More On Dryland

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Para athlete Tina Deeken of Germany has accomplished all kinds of things in the open water, from ice swimming* to marathon swims. With fellow German swimmer Tobias Prüßner doing a 22 km IJsselmeerzwemmarathon tandem swim or a 30 km swim through the lakes and canals in Súdwest-Fryslân, Deeken uses simply a swimsuit, goggles, cap and a tow float.

Walk in, swim across, walk out.

Simple. Straightforward.

But when she races and qualifies for the Challenge World Championships 2026 in Slovakia in the PTWC (Para-Triathlon-Wheel-Chair) category, then more sophisticated equipment is necessary.

A handbike. A racing wheelchair. Gloves. Helmet.

Sophisticated. Specialized.