So, after reading through some threads in which it seemed like people suggested they trained in open water after dark, my question is: Do You?
Typically, a few times a year (usually when the moon is bright) I will go out at night and do a normal long swim, but I don't make a habit of it. Last October, before the water here in CT got too cold, I went for several night swims (using tinted goggles, which was a bit of a mistake) but now I am thinking of making this a more regular thing in order to train more when the tide isn't conducive to training during the day (i.e. when I'm at work). Is this just stupid?
It doesn't seem any more dangerous to swim at night than during the day (particularly with appropriate goggles:)) since I am always swimming by myself anyway. Any thoughts on this?
I swam at 5 a.m. on election day, in my home pool, with three lights burned out in the actual pool. There was one lone light on the bright end of the pool. Suffice to say, it was more than enough to tell me that night swimming will NEVER be for me! I completely spooked myself several times, and that's in a place I know incredibly well. I can't imagine how you night swimmers do it.
When I was in Belize this past Spring, I would swim up to 2 1/2 hours a day, with these silver fish that would literally ram me as I swam, nibbling at me. I would scream every time until one day, I realized it probably wasn't great for those on the shore to see a woman out in the water, swimming alone, flailing her arms and screaming. Suffice to say, I learned to suck it up when they attacked. Combine that with it being at night--NO WAY!
Donal, That must have been quite an experience! What was the time-in-water for each leg of the relay?
I have thought of investing in glowsticks for my early morning OW swim group. Some mornings it is definitely still night. Some mornings we can't make out the buoys in the water.
I was part of a 5 person english channel double (England-France-England) relay this year. ...
Months later (end of august) during the actual relay (25 hours) I had the dusk to full dark transition and a full dark swim between 2 & 3 am.
Bio-phosphorescence was much stronger in the channel. The sense of peace and calm was very strong, and the water, which was quite choppy, felt calmer (though it wasn't) than during the day. ...
For the channel you must swim with two glowsticks for safety, one on togs, one on hat. ... If shore swimming make sure you have a hat nightstick (the new electronic ones are great and visible further, if you can find them) and someone on land with a strong light for reference.
Better still if you could have kayaker with a light to follow.
Regards
Donal
Ireland
You must always be on the watch when the lights go out in a pool. You have to be afraid of Suzie Sumppump and Nellie Glugg. They lurch in unlighted swimming pools.
I swam at 5 a.m. on election day, in my home pool, with three lights burned out in the actual pool. There was one lone light on the bright end of the pool. Suffice to say, it was more than enough to tell me that night swimming will NEVER be for me! I completely spooked myself several times, and that's in a place I know incredibly well. I can't imagine how you night swimmers do it.
When I was in Belize this past Spring, I would swim up to 2 1/2 hours a day, with these silver fish that would literally ram me as I swam, nibbling at me. I would scream every time until one day, I realized it probably wasn't great for those on the shore to see a woman out in the water, swimming alone, flailing her arms and screaming. Suffice to say, I learned to suck it up when they attacked. Combine that with it being at night--NO WAY!
Without a doubt, night swimming can be beautiful whether you are swimming in Hawaii or training for the Catalina or English Channels. However, at the very least, I recommend that you are escorted by a kayaker or paddler. Not only is this safer, but they can spot debris, flotsam, rogue waves, marine craft, windsurfers and marine life that you may not see from the water's surface. Many people also swim in the dark early morning hours when visibility is extremely limited, but they enjoy the beauty of the rising morning sun.
