I am a beginning swimmer. I owe a lot to this forum for planting the seed and motivating me. I went from hating swimming to needing to swim, all in two months. Thanks.
Now that I've got the bug, I'd like to try open water this spring and summer. How do I transition from pool to open water? Are there CO2 activated life vests for swimming alone? I'm thinking of something that doesn't produce drag until activated such as an airline life vest. How does one navigate and keep clear or boats, fishing line, and logs? I live in Oregon where the seas are somewhat dangerous. How do you address rip tides, creeper waves, and sharks?
I'm also curious about what kind of goals I need to set to be able to participate in the organized swims. I swim between 45 and 60 minutes three to five times each week. How does this translate to distance?
I'm open to all advice.
Cheers
Parents
Former Member
You are right the ocean in that part of the Pacific Northwest is dangerous. For the reasons you state. Plus rocks to get dashed up on. You will definately need a wetsuit. The Pacific is a mild ocean compared to the Atlantic but the West Coast is colder water in the surf then the east because its deep right up to the shoreline. You will want a swimmer type wetsuit not one for waterskiing or scuba. They are about 300 to 400 dollars. You will need some good goggles that you can see in and wont come of easy.Like Barracuda standards or Seal Mask. A insulated type swim cap in a bright color can keep your head warmer and let boaters see you. Some short fins can also help.Pureists wont like them but are you swimming in the sea for sport or for competing. For a sport swimmer the fins can give you extra power to help you stay up in surf and swim along the shore to get out of a rip tide . Yes there are inflateable types of life preservers..They look like suspenders and are sold in boat stores. They have a little bottle that inflates them. For swimming now..I dont know how that will go. Sharks feed early in the AM and late in the PM so avoid those times. attacks are real rare but anything can happen.
Try the new swim "gear" in the pool to get used to it..You will probably be asked why you are wearing a wetsuit..ect.. in the pool by others and when they find out you are getting ready for ocean swims they may want to join in or give your some ideas or people to get in touch with.
See my page on cold water swim caps . there are links to some ocean swimming places on the bottom of the page.Check them out . Let people on shore know when you are going for a swim and start out slow and gain experience, dont try to be too bold .
Swimming in the ocean can be great sport!
www.geocities.com/.../coldwatercaps.html
You are right the ocean in that part of the Pacific Northwest is dangerous. For the reasons you state. Plus rocks to get dashed up on. You will definately need a wetsuit. The Pacific is a mild ocean compared to the Atlantic but the West Coast is colder water in the surf then the east because its deep right up to the shoreline. You will want a swimmer type wetsuit not one for waterskiing or scuba. They are about 300 to 400 dollars. You will need some good goggles that you can see in and wont come of easy.Like Barracuda standards or Seal Mask. A insulated type swim cap in a bright color can keep your head warmer and let boaters see you. Some short fins can also help.Pureists wont like them but are you swimming in the sea for sport or for competing. For a sport swimmer the fins can give you extra power to help you stay up in surf and swim along the shore to get out of a rip tide . Yes there are inflateable types of life preservers..They look like suspenders and are sold in boat stores. They have a little bottle that inflates them. For swimming now..I dont know how that will go. Sharks feed early in the AM and late in the PM so avoid those times. attacks are real rare but anything can happen.
Try the new swim "gear" in the pool to get used to it..You will probably be asked why you are wearing a wetsuit..ect.. in the pool by others and when they find out you are getting ready for ocean swims they may want to join in or give your some ideas or people to get in touch with.
See my page on cold water swim caps . there are links to some ocean swimming places on the bottom of the page.Check them out . Let people on shore know when you are going for a swim and start out slow and gain experience, dont try to be too bold .
Swimming in the ocean can be great sport!
www.geocities.com/.../coldwatercaps.html
