Solo OWS (Page 2)

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2009-06-25 11:57 PM
in reply to: #2243681

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Subject: RE: Solo OWS
ChrisM - 2009-06-25 6:38 PM I wouldn't crack on jellyfish's advice. She's the real deal swimmer folks.  One of the few on this board.  And she is right on

Should you swim alone?   No.  

That said...  I swim with a large group of LA Tri people, but we all get in the water and we start swiming, different speeds, different routes to the pier, so in all reality it's alone.   I swam once or twice on my own in the ocean, but  told the LG I was swimming and where.  But in reality, what are they going to do other than notice "there's that dude's bag, wonder where he is."  

So even swimming with a group doesn't always solve the problems.

And I have had an issue in an OWS, thank god there was a LG around to assist.  But......   when I am pretty much by myself I know that there are risks and I accept them.  I also solo scuba dive.  Same deal.  I know there are risks, and I accept them.

So the advice is 99% of the time you'd probably be OK.  Are you OK with the 1% of the time that you won't? 



Well put.

2009-06-26 7:29 AM
in reply to: #2241281

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Bob
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Subject: RE: Solo OWS

This is my "swimming hole". Should I swim alone, no. I try to meet up with other triathletes when I can but a lot of the time I swim the perimeter alone. I've done many OWS with groups and lifeguards in canoes but to tell you the truth I am pretty much alone in those swims too. The canoe usually stays with the weaker swimmers (AS IT SHOULD), if something should happen to me and I went under I would most likely go unnoticed for a while.

I love the idea of towing a rescue can or rescue tube behind you. That is perfect, it creates drag to give you a better workout without effecting your form, it gives you a flotation device if you need help AND you can make out give artificial respiration with a fellow swimmer if needed.

If you're ever up in Binghamton Jellyfish, I'm in need of a lifeguard (and coach for that matter) for my OWS!

2009-06-27 8:44 AM
in reply to: #2243616

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Subject: RE: Solo OWS
jellyfish - 2009-06-25 4:56 PM

graceful_dave - 2009-06-25 10:28 AM


Smart a$$ answer for the rip currents, swim parallel to shore to get out of it? And yes I've been in them before.

I for one am forced to swim in a lake because I'm 1000 miles from a coast. I'd gladly deal with currents and tides to be able to swim in the ocean.

What if you have a heart attack with a swim buddy there? What happens if I am riding or running alone and have a heart attach?

As far as cramping goes, if you're wearing a wetsuit, just flop over on your back until it works out. I've also never had a cramp swimming so it's not something I am too concerned with. Honestly, how many people who have enough swimming base to be out there actually get cramps?

All that being said, I do always swim with a buddy, I get too creeped out swimming alone.


To each their own. FWIW -I swim over 10 min faster per mile than you (based on your HIM split this WE) and I have had times where I have had trouble swimming against a current/rip tide (Hudson river and Waikiki roughwater swim). At the Waikiki swim of the 800 people entered in the race, 300 had to be rescued (some by helicopter airlift).


What are you talking about when you say rip tide? A rip current is the current that results from water piling up on shore from heavy wave action and needs an outlet to return to sea. It's usually only 50-100 yards wide and a couple hundred yards long. The reason they are dangerous is because people panic and fight them instead of waiting until they are released to swim to shore. Currents resulting from tides going through inlets/channels are whole different beasts. Just because a current is strong, doesn't make it a rip current.

Another thing to consider when going off on people about swimming alone and having to fighting currents is that most small lakes don't have currents so that is not an issue for many swimmers. And I still wonder what a buddy is going to do if you get into trouble in strong current other then tell the authorities where they last saw you.

Being slower then you doesn't mean I am any less knowledgeable about currents/tides/rough water. I didn't grow up swimming in lakes, I grew up swimming and surfing in the ocean and big rivers of the east. As with anything else, it all goes back to common sense. You need to know the water you are swimming in and have the sense to not get in if the current is stronger then you are capable of handling. A buddy isn't going to help you if you get in over your head especially since many of us pick swim buddies of equal speed.

Edited by graceful_dave 2009-06-27 8:49 AM
2009-06-27 11:08 AM
in reply to: #2241281

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Subject: RE: Solo OWS

The decision was made for me. My car died and I had no way to get to the pond. I waited until today and my wife went with me. Like others have said, not sure she could have done much except call 911 and point to my body, but there was some reassurance.

My pond looks a lot like the pic a few posts above. I certainly would not go solo at the ocean. I'm quite positive I don't have enough experience for that. In the pond though, I'm having a hard time picturing how I could possibly sink while in the wetsuit I was in. I felt like a cork

Moving forward I think I'll keep most of my training to the pool and find buddies to swim with when I want to hit the ponds.

Thanks for all the advice. 

2009-07-12 6:26 PM
in reply to: #2241281

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Subject: RE: Solo OWS
I got an idea yesterday while kayaking.  Has anyone thought about using some swift moving water as a water treadmill?  Goofing off I started trying to swim up current and then spent about a minute swimming up the current but staying in place.  It helped my form becuase I found myself using my legs more to keep up with the current.  And when I got tired the current swept me down into the shore or I was able to move 2ft over into calm water and climb out.  Also most of the river isn't over 4ft deep that I was doing this in.

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