How do you deal with boats? Serious question, do you only swim in areas where powerboats don't go, do you swim parallel to shore only, do you take with you some type of device (flag, buoy, etc.) to be more visible?
Former Member
I wear a long sleeved white rash guard and a bright yellow swim cap.
I have a large pink ball, an exercise ball actually, attached to my leg with tubing and a net. I am hard to miss out there, I hear. It is quite the conversation starter with the boaters on a nice day.
When swimming in boat-infested waters, I sometimes use a lifeguard rescue tube. You can stick it up in the air when a boat comes near. I rigged one up as a tow-behind device, using a waist strap (rather than a shoulder strap) and tether bastardized from a parachute workout device. You can barely feel it behind you.
With and without such a device, I have had several bad encounters with speed boaters and jet skiers. Fishermen tend to be cool. The good news is that with marine fuel so costly, we may see fewer power boats and more swimmers. Let's take back the waters!
Hopper
www.swimvacation.com
