USA Triathlon and RESTUBE Through 2028: What It Means for Open Water Swimmers
On 14 April 2026, USA Triathlon named RESTUBE its official swim safety partner through 2028. RESTUBE’s rescue buoy technology will be built into safety protocols at USAT sanctioned races across the country. For age-groupers training alone in lakes and ponds, it is also a reason to finally buy a proper buoy.
What RESTUBE Actually Is
RESTUBE is a compact, reusable inflatable rescue buoy. You wear it clipped to a waist belt or attached to your gear. Pull the trigger and a CO2 cartridge fills the buoy in a fraction of a second, giving you instant buoyancy and a bright, visible marker on the water.
It is not the classic orange tow float trailing behind you on a cord. At rest, RESTUBE is small, about the size of a sandwich box, and only inflates when you actually need it. That is the point: it does not get in the way of swimming, so you actually wear it every session instead of leaving it behind because it tangles.
Automatic models (Rescue) inflate on their own when submerged. Standard models need a manual pull on the trigger.
What Changes at USA Triathlon
The scope of the partnership:
- Athlete access, at USAT sanctioned races athletes can use RESTUBE as an approved buoyancy aid
- Event safety, USAT’s event team gets a professional RESTUBE rescue line at national championships
- Term, the deal runs from 2026 to 2028
Bruce Majors, CEO of RESTUBE: “USA Triathlon sets the standard in this sport in the country. Being there for every athlete on race day means something clear to us. We’re honoured to be the official swim safety partner.”
Brad Hildebrandt, National Events Manager, USA Triathlon: “RESTUBE offers instant buoyancy, better visibility and a tangible safety net that lets athletes race with confidence and peace of mind.”
RESTUBE by the Numbers
The company states over 600,000 users worldwide and 60+ documented lives saved. Founder Christopher Fuhrhop started the company after nearly drowning while kitesurfing offshore. The product grew out of a near miss, not a marketing brief.
What It Costs
The RESTUBE Active, the lightest version aimed at swimmers and triggered by a manual pull, lists at $119.99 in the US. It inflates in about a second on a CO2 cartridge. Automatic-trigger models (Rescue) cost more, and a replacement CO2 cartridge is sold separately for reloading after use.
That is more than a basic tow float, but the extra cost buys a different function. A tow float gives you visibility. RESTUBE gives you visibility plus self-rescue.
Does an Amateur Triathlete Need One
The honest answer: it depends how you train.
Worth it when:
- You train solo in a lake or the sea
- You swim in cold water in early spring or late autumn, when cramp risk is higher
- You are over 40 and there is a history of heart problems in your family
- You regularly swim more than 100 metres from shore
A classic tow float is enough when:
- You swim with a group or alongside a safety kayak
- You train in an open water venue with a lifeguard on site
- You stick to swimming close along the shoreline
The clearest lesson from the fatality on the swim at IRONMAN Texas 2026 is that even at an organised race with hundreds of safety staff, the first minutes after an incident are critical. On a solo training swim you do not even have that safety net. A buoy that does the work for you helps precisely when you cannot help yourself.
How to Use It Properly
Two mistakes ruin any buoy’s effectiveness:
- Wearing it loose. The belt has to sit tight on the hips. If it slides, it will end up behind you the moment it inflates.
- Never practising the trigger. Test it in calm water before your life depends on it. Knowing where the pin is and how hard to pull only becomes muscle memory after a dry run.
The CO2 cartridge is single use. After every activation you buy a replacement. Treat it as routine servicing, not something to skimp on.
What This Means Beyond the US
Most national federations do not have anything like USAT’s RESTUBE partnership yet. On most local race calendars, the standard is still organiser-provided buoys and lifeguards in kayaks. Nothing stops you from carrying your own buoy in training, but always check a race’s own rules before assuming a personal buoy is allowed on the course.
No external system replaces your own judgement. If you are racing long distance this season, open water is probably your weakest link, even if you have swum for years. Three sessions in open water before your first race are the minimum, not a luxury.
Read next: Open Water Drafting: Save Your Legs for the Run. Racelify lists open water swims, each with a link to the organiser.