When I was training last summer for my first set of triathlons, I did some swimming in a nearby lake. There I saw someone swimming while pulling a large inner tube behind him. I did not have the opportunity to talk with the swimmer, so did not learn anything about what looked like a good idea.
It seems this would work as a safety device for a tired swimmer and/or someone who could only enlist a "sit on the beach and watch me" friend for an assistant in open water swimming. My first thought is that the tube looked awfully big, and cumbersome. so I wonder if there is a smaller device that would work, or is the size unimportant? Next -- what does one use for the rope/strap to pull with? And where does one find this thingie? And of course, has anyone actually used something like this and what has been your experience? And are there any "tricks" one should know about using such a device?
Thanks,
Nancy Graham
Nancy,
Check out "sore mouth from open water swims" posts for a description of this sort of "thingee".
I often use one of these when I am giving open water swimming lessons or when I am on a long training swim.
HI Nancy,
Not exactly sure of the item, but we use something similiar in the pools, called a rescue tube. It is made out of foam (rubber) and then dipped/coated in a rubber-plastic coating. These items can be purchased from a variety of aquatic supply vendors like:
Kiefer (www.kiefer.com)
Recreonics (www.recreonics.com)
Lincoln equipment (www.lincolnaquatics.com)
The rescue tubes have a shoulder strap - harness to use while swimming - you'll feel some resistance from dragging the tube, you can also purchase from the same suppliers a unit called a 'rescue can' same principle as the tube except its made out of hard plastic and a little more hydrodynamic (rescue cans are what you see the lifeguards using in Baywatch). Hope this helps.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff,
I will look at these more closely. My guess is that since these are used for rescue they do not interfere with one's stroke (except for adding some drag which may be a good thing for training. I am interested to know what a "stretch cord belt" is, and where I might look at these -- if anyone knows of a resource. Has anyone had personal experience with using any of these or other devices and anything to say about their use?
Thanks,
Nancy
Towing inner tubes is a great way to provide a higher degree of safety in open water training (while swimming alone), along with creating extra drag. I used surfboard leg cord to attach myself to the inner tube. You can find this on the net or in any surf shop.
I used commercial equipment inner tube due to the size and drag it created. I wanted extra drag on my tube, so I towed branches off the back end. Most tire shops have old worn out tubes they are happy to patch and sell. Although they can no longer be used in transportation, they are adequate for off shore swimming. If you want serious safety, buy new! Have fun and good luck….
