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Solo Open Water Swim?!
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 2009-07-12 5:44 PM |
 8 |  Subject: Solo Open Water Swim?!As I was swimming alone in a lake this morning, I started thinking about all the bad things that could happen while out there solo. Do you guys/gals swim solo in open water? I have a 1000m open water route that covers very deep water. Should I rethink this? |
| 2009-07-12 5:53 PM in reply to: #2279574 |
Extreme Veteran 317  Chelmsford, MA | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! I posted this same thread a few weeks back. You can skim for opinions there, and some will weigh in here, too. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=166109&posts=29&start=1 I think the summary would be, many of us do it, all of us recognize the danger, some of us takes steps to mitigate the risk (shore swim, inflatable safety belt, wetsuit, etc). |
| 2009-07-12 5:53 PM in reply to: #2279574 |
Master 2426  Central Indiana | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! OWS is safer with a group. I've even had my wife shadow me in a rowboat- although the way she rows that might be more dangerous than swimming solo  |
| 2009-07-12 6:06 PM in reply to: #2279574 |
Elite 2423 | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! I often do. My swim is much shorter and only waist deep almost 1/2 mile off shore. Be careful. |
| 2009-07-12 6:23 PM in reply to: #2279588 |
| 8 | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! I've even had my wife shadow me in a rowboat- although the way she rows that might be more dangerous than swimming solo Now that is funny! |
| 2009-07-12 7:43 PM in reply to: #2279574 |
Champion 5575  Butler | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! I think it is about as safe as swimming with other people since the odds they will be able to save you is slim but at least you will have someone to point to where you went down. That being said I have done it but have a swim safe and swim in generally close to shore. It probably is not a great idea specially if you get a cramp. |
| 2009-07-12 11:27 PM in reply to: #2279574 |
Master 1325 Lake Oswego, OR | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! I've always done it and always will. My first experience in wilderness was swimming a mile off shore by myself. I later lived in Denali National Park in Alaska. I hiked alone more often than not. I always will. It is more about the experience than about the exercise or training in both cases. Wilderness is beautiful where ever you can find it. However, I do not swim alone where there are boats around. Too spooky for me. |
| 2009-07-12 11:56 PM in reply to: #2279773 |
| Regular 281 | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! kproudfoot - 2009-07-12 8:43 PM I think it is about as safe as swimming with other people since the odds they will be able to save you is slim but at least you will have someone to point to where you went down. I agree. I remember about 6-7 years ago I was camping with some friends at Lake Lanier, Georgia. Sunday morning we are packing up to leave and I see a ton of swimmers take off. I don't know if it was a triathlon, swim, or just a bunch of people swimming but there had to be atleast 100 swimmers. I remember looking out and seeing the lead swimmers and then going about my business for a second. I then looked back up and remember thinking "Didn't there use to be someone there?". I figured they may have fallen into the pack of swimmers and didn't give it much thought. A few days later my buddy shows me a paper where someone drowned in whatever it was that went on there. I think I saw that swimmer moments before it happend. My buddy and I started open water swims. 1st time we had a friend on the UGA triathlon team come out and kind of coach my buddy (and I) from my kayak. The kayak makes things 10x simpler and considering you can pick them up used for $100 easy it's an easy investment. You may not find a swimming buddy but you can always find someone wanting to play in a kayak. |
| 2009-07-13 4:10 AM in reply to: #2279574 |
| 50 | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! I just swim where there are surf breaks. Swim just outside the break: 1) Its deeper... shallow is reef... reef is bad. 2) Its calmer outside the break. 3) Surfers look out, waiting for the next swell. 4) If I injure myself, I got a few people around with 6-10 foot flotation devices. =) Other than that... I always swim alone. Its simply peaceful. |
| 2009-07-13 5:37 AM in reply to: #2279574 |
| Member 28 | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! This is an interesting thread. I can swim, and I actually love swimming, but over the last few years I have developed a sort of phobia to open water swimming. It has nothing to do with drowning, I am terrified of being eaten. *pauses for the rounds of laughter* I know there is nothing in the water that can acutally eat me, well not in the water I am in, but that doesn't curb my fear reaction at thinking of the little nasties anyway. I had totally forgotten about this until my 10 yo pointed out that I can't do tri's because of the water. I told her I would just push through it. My husband says he would be happy follow me in a boat with a harpoon gun. *snort* Personally, I prefer to swim alone, always have because in my family swimming with my brothers and sisters mean gettting picked up and heaved into the water and held under until you have to bite the leg of who is doing it. gotta love the family love. I honestly think the biggest must in swimming alone is that you MUST NOT PANIC when something happens. You can float when a cramp hits, and if you are swimming and get caught in an undertoe (sp) just relax and don't fight it. I would have a cell phone in a water proof bag in case something happened. Get caught and pulled out, you call 911 and relax until they get to you. I may not be very smart about all of this though... Edited by Milkquasy 2009-07-13 5:38 AM |
| 2009-07-13 11:55 AM in reply to: #2280247 |
Master 1325 Lake Oswego, OR | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! Milkquasy - 2009-07-13 3:37 AM I honestly think the biggest must in swimming alone is that you MUST NOT PANIC when something happens. You can float when a cramp hits, and if you are swimming and get caught in an undertoe (sp) just relax and don't fight it. I would have a cell phone in a water proof bag in case something happened. Get caught and pulled out, you call 911 and relax until they get to you. I may not be very smart about all of this though...
The 3 rules of open water swimming, whether alone or with others are 1) Don't Panic 2) DON'T PANIC 3) DON'T PANIC !!!!!!! |
| 2009-07-13 12:49 PM in reply to: #2279574 |
Expert 1040 SF Bay Area | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! Boats scare me: - They are usually going fast - They aren't looking for swimmers in the water - If wearing a wetsuit, you are dressed mostly in black - 90% of your body is just below the surface - Your tiny little neon colored head is hidden by swells and chop Three of us swam yesterday (.6 miles each way across the bay). We had a kayaker with us though honestly it probably didn't help much. We all swam different speeds, 2 were off-course, one guy turned around 3/4 of the way across. The kayaker wasn't able to really offer much protection. We were all 50-80 yards apart. It was a little foggy and a little choppy. Not ideal... |
| 2009-07-13 6:27 PM in reply to: #2279574 |
| Member 33 Ottawa Ontario Canada | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! I live in the city now so most of my swimming is done in a pool. |
| 2009-07-13 7:58 PM in reply to: #2279574 |
Champion 5575 Butler | Subject: RE: Solo Open Water Swim?! Also forgot to mention I swim with a swimsafe when I swim alone or even with a group in a non-race. Figure it can't hurt and I got mine on ebay for $30 |
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