Subject: RE: Volunteering as a "Swim Buddy" I've not been a "Swim Buddy" but I have availed of one for a tri.
I had a bad tri experience, got pulled out of the water into an emergency boat - I'm not a comfortable swimmer to start with, so that completely turned me off. I was afraid to do another open water swim. Really truly afraid.
So when a local tri offered swim angels, I thought I'd give it a go.
Here's how it went for me -
I met my swim angel before the race. She had a completely different swim cap color so I could find her. We started at the BOP and she swam on the side I breathe best. Whenever I got a little freaked, she was there - about 5 feet to my side. She kept me on the course (either with verbal direction or once she tapped my shoulder when I was way off ). She kept encouraging me. I could hear her when I breathed but also, whenever I popped up, she talked to me.
It was a real gift for me.
Of course, I haven't been back in the water since. Last year was my year of the illness. This year is my year of the run. But someday, I will get back in the water, and having a swim buddy would be huge. |