I'm new to swimming, having just started last October at the local Y. I'd been swimming a mile 3 times a week in the pool.
I just recently started open water swimming with a few friends.
Wondering what everyone's thoughts are on swimming alone in open water. Pool swimming is suddenly less appealing (i.e., monotonous), but it's hard to coordinate training in open water with others sometimes. Is swimming alone an absolute no-no?
I have been an open water swimmer for 25+ years, and only in rare instances will I swim alone. Now I will do ocean swimming if a guard is on duty, but as mentioned before, it’s a good idea to let the guard know what you are doing.
If you do find that the only way to swim is alone, no lifeguards family or friends, I would suggest that you invest in a Rescue Can (one of those red floaty thingies that they use on BayWatch). You put the strap over your shoulder and tow the can behind you. With practice, you hardly notice that it’s there.
I have been an open water swimmer for 25+ years, and only in rare instances will I swim alone. Now I will do ocean swimming if a guard is on duty, but as mentioned before, it’s a good idea to let the guard know what you are doing.
If you do find that the only way to swim is alone, no lifeguards family or friends, I would suggest that you invest in a Rescue Can (one of those red floaty thingies that they use on BayWatch). You put the strap over your shoulder and tow the can behind you. With practice, you hardly notice that it’s there.
