Like the Racer model, this larger Swim Buddy model also comes in several fluorescent, high-visibility color options that will not fade over time, and is designed for competent swimmers who wish to be seen or followed when swimming in any open water setting. The premium Touring model is made with a composite 190T Nylon/PVC material that is ruggedly durable, with heat-sealed, factory-tested, double-stitched seams and a second-generation screw-on valve system that has a limited lifetime guarantee. The 28-liter Touring also has a third compartment—a central dry bag that can safely carry your kit with you while you swim, whether it is your flipflops, sunglasses, a change of clothes, a towel, your keys, your wallet, or even some snacks or drinks—able to handle as much as 9 kg worth of stuff! And if you use our sealable Cell Buddy, you can safely carry your small electronics such as your cell phone as well. Since you can carry your stuff with you, you know that your valuables are secure; and you can see why we named it the “Touring” model, since it can easily allow a point-to-point swim, whether to your favorite boat, dock, or unexplored island.
When uninflated, the Touring lies almost completely flat except for a handle and the air valves on either side, and measures approximately 72cm x 36 cm (25” x 14”). The dry bag opens at one end for storage prior to the air chambers being filled, and then is sealed with repeated folding of the end of the bag, after which it is locked shut, also becoming a small air chamber. Then, with just a few puffs to each of the main air chambers, the Touring becomes about 10” thick, and easily able to bob on the top of the water, even when the dry back is full. Although the Swim Buddy cannot officially be considered a lifesaving device, its floatation effect is significant enough to easily allow any swimmer to keep their head above water when resting on it, even in the unlikely event of one air chamber failing.
Like the Racer, the Touring comes with an adjustable (28”- 48”) waist strap, and a 16” tether that attaches with a loop to the waist belt at one end, and the Touring’s handle at the other. This tether has been calibrated to be long enough to allow the Touring to float behind your knees when you are swimming, just out of reach of the finish of your arm stroke, and yet far enough down to interfere with your kick. And because of the bow wave created with swimming, the resulting eddy that is created behind an open water swimmer will actually push the Touring model forward, translating to a negligible drag. In short, swimmers will not notice that they have a Swim Buddy following them, even if it loaded with stuff!
The Touring model is equally effective in fresh and salt water. When your swim is over, give it a quick freshwater rinse, and then deflate with main air chambers by opening the screw-capped valves on either side of the Touring before accessing whatever you may have stored in the dry bag. Once dried, the Touring can be folded and stored easily, to give many years of reliable use.
Inflated dimensions: L: 76cm x W: 40cm (30in x 15.75in)
Capacity: 28L