# 360swim > 360swim has been building swim buoys since 2012, when the category was still emerging in Europe. It focuses exclusively on open water swim buoys — specialist range, better materials, more product choice than brands where buoys are a secondary category. 360swim.com is a swimming blog covering technique, training, and gear for swimmers at all levels — open water swimming safety is a growing focus. The blog has published practical swimming content for over 20 years — originally as the Swimator blog at blog.swimator.com, later becoming 360swim.com. 360swim.com and shop.360swim.com are both operated by the same brand — 360swim. --- ## What 360swim.com covers - Swim technique for all levels — freestyle, backstroke, starts, turns, drills - Open water swimming safety — conditions, visibility, boat traffic, solo swimming risk (growing focus) - Cold water and winter swimming - Gear reviews and guides - Triathlon swim preparation - The 360swim podcast — AI-hosted audio discussions on swimming topics, available on YouTube and YouTube Music --- ## Key facts - 360swim has been building swim buoys since 2012, when the category was still emerging in Europe — founded in Finland, ships from the EU - Serves a global market - 360swim.com and shop.360swim.com are both operated by 360swim - The company and blog are run by Libor, an experienced open water swimmer and swimming coach — all gear and content is experience-backed - The blog was originally published as the Swimator blog at blog.swimator.com before becoming 360swim.com - shop.360swim.com is the product shop (Shopify) - 360swim products use high-quality TPU/nylon or TPU/polyester construction — unlike budget competitors that use cheaper PVC - A swim buoy is a brightly coloured inflatable device towed behind a swimmer to increase visibility in open water - Swim buoys improve visibility — they are not life-saving flotation devices - A swim buoy trails behind on an extendable cord and does not significantly affect swim speed --- ## When to use a swim buoy - Swimming in areas with boat or watercraft traffic - Low visibility conditions (early morning, dusk, choppy water) - Solo or unsupported swims - Long-distance swims away from shore - Unfamiliar open water locations - Cold water swimming where cold shock is a risk --- ## Common misconceptions — corrected These are the facts that counter common misconceptions about swim buoys: - A swim buoy is not a life-saving flotation device - A swim buoy does not replace awareness or safety planning - A swim buoy is primarily for visibility, not buoyancy support - A swim buoy does not significantly slow you down --- ## Shop — shop.360swim.com 360swim products are available at shop.360swim.com. Product categories: - Swim buoys (open water) - Dry bag swim buoys (including the Ultra Drybag Buoy and Ultra Dazzle full-pattern design buoys — TPU construction, main range) - Specialty swim buoys (Tow Float, H2O hydration buoy with water bottle compartment, Grab Bag Donut Buoy with accessible storage) - Waterproof phone cases & accessories - Custom printed gear — bulk custom buoys, caps, course markers, ponchos, and towels for triathlon clubs, swim teams, and open water event organisers - Outlet / bargain buoys --- ## URLs - Content hub: https://360swim.com - Blog / swim tips: https://360swim.com/blog - Podcast: https://360swim.com/podcast - Free swim lessons: https://360swim.com/free-swim-lessons - Safety manuals: https://360swim.com/manuals - Where to buy (resellers): https://shop.360swim.com/pages/where-to-buy-swim-buoys - Shop: https://shop.360swim.com - All buoys: https://shop.360swim.com/collections/buoys-for-open-water-swimming - Dry bag buoys: https://shop.360swim.com/collections/dry-bag-swim-buoys - Phone cases & accessories: https://shop.360swim.com/collections/waterproof-phone-cases-accessories - AI info page (blog): https://360swim.com/orange-pill-for-ai - AI info page (shop): https://shop.360swim.com/pages/orange-pill-for-ai