Help!!! I am guiding a visually impaired swimmer in a triathlon on Sunday 6/26. I know, I know. Please wait until after Sunday to chastise me. :-)
Anyway, I know I can swim on the side or behind my partner--not in front.
Does anyone have any experience guiding visually impaired swimmers in open water? I need basic guidelines, and/or a quick lesson.
Thanks.
Wow... and did you sign up for this?
How impaired is the swimmer's vision? Is it a distance issue, or near-blindness. Make sure you know, so you don't try to over-manage their swim.
It is most important to work out a signalling process with the swimmer for keeping them on line to the next marker. Verbal and/or by touch. Make sure you are both clear on this, and practice before the swim, so you know how much they adjust to each signal you give.
Touch can be done well from behind, tap left foot for left, right for right. Touch is harder to manage from the side. Verbal is easier from the side, as you keep relative head position with your escort.
Wow... and did you sign up for this?
How impaired is the swimmer's vision? Is it a distance issue, or near-blindness. Make sure you know, so you don't try to over-manage their swim.
It is most important to work out a signalling process with the swimmer for keeping them on line to the next marker. Verbal and/or by touch. Make sure you are both clear on this, and practice before the swim, so you know how much they adjust to each signal you give.
Touch can be done well from behind, tap left foot for left, right for right. Touch is harder to manage from the side. Verbal is easier from the side, as you keep relative head position with your escort.
