If only we could "insure" absolutely all of our actions and the actions of others that cause us harm -- no one wants catastrophe ---
Open water swims won't cease to exist for the adventurous. For those that require "insurance" then their choices will obviously be limited in the future - maybe even to the point of paralysis. They will have to stick to the blue line on the bottom of the pool. For me, I'm going to keep swimming in the open water. I keep my health and life insurance current as a way to protect myself and my family. For those that swam the Arizona S.C.A.R. Swim last year and this year - it's an adventure that has not associated with USMS nor is it insured. Perhaps this is naive on my part and exposes me to "lawsuits" but I'm focused on the front-end safety of the event.
I don't rely or expect some other organization to give me the "green light" or make an event "legitimate." I just want to swim and be in the open water with those that have a similar love of open water swimming. I still belong to USMS and understand their concerns - I just don't feel like I need their blessing before getting in the water.
Kent Nicholas
S.C.A.R. Swim Organizer (volunteer)
Attorney
Swimmers can protect themselves by obtaining some personal insurance. I like the DAN policy:
www.diversalertnetwork.org/.../
If only we could "insure" absolutely all of our actions and the actions of others that cause us harm -- no one wants catastrophe ---
Open water swims won't cease to exist for the adventurous. For those that require "insurance" then their choices will obviously be limited in the future - maybe even to the point of paralysis. They will have to stick to the blue line on the bottom of the pool. For me, I'm going to keep swimming in the open water. I keep my health and life insurance current as a way to protect myself and my family. For those that swam the Arizona S.C.A.R. Swim last year and this year - it's an adventure that has not associated with USMS nor is it insured. Perhaps this is naive on my part and exposes me to "lawsuits" but I'm focused on the front-end safety of the event.
I don't rely or expect some other organization to give me the "green light" or make an event "legitimate." I just want to swim and be in the open water with those that have a similar love of open water swimming. I still belong to USMS and understand their concerns - I just don't feel like I need their blessing before getting in the water.
Kent Nicholas
S.C.A.R. Swim Organizer (volunteer)
Attorney
Swimmers can protect themselves by obtaining some personal insurance. I like the DAN policy:
www.diversalertnetwork.org/.../
