Makala's Top Tips! Tow floats (From our Community Newsletter - February 2026)

Each month Makala Jones, our Bluetit Head Swim Coach and Water Development Director, writes for our community newsletter her Top Tips for swimming and dipping. You can have a read below...

Tow floats:

A tow float (also called a swim buoy) is a brightly coloured, inflatable device that dippers/swimmers attach around their waist before going into open water. We even have polkadot Bluetit ones for sale in our online shop!!

The bright colour makes you easier to spot for boats, paddle-boarders, and other water users.

Many tow floats provide buoyancy, so you can hold onto them if you need to rest, but don’t rely on a tow-float as a life saving device.

Some tow floats include a dry bag waterproof compartment for items like keys or a phone, I even pop a dress and shoes when I’m off for a longer swim in the summer.

It's a good idea to write your name on your tow float and your next of kin with their phone number, in case you lose it or if you get into trouble in the water.

It may be better not to use one when it is really windy as it can become a hazard, wrapping around your arm when you swim.

When you are popping in for a dip tow floats can help with confidence and help you to be seen….but they are not there to save lives, they just help make resting easier and make it easier for other water users to see you.

Happy dipping and swimming!

To browse our range of tow floats, click here.