Open water swimming is an activity in which participants swim outdoors in a body of water, including rivers, ponds, lakes, bays, and oceans. The activity includes additional variables that make it more challenging than swimming indoors, including “chop” and current.
You Want to Become A swimmer so, you need classes under the instruction of lifeguard.
Open water swimming is swimming competitions that take place in the ocean, rivers, lakes, etc.
It has been recognized as an official event since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and its recognition is increasing in USA.
The secret to its popularity is its depth, which makes it difficult to win with speed alone, as it includes knowledge and crisis management skills that deal with nature. The enjoyment of swimming in the big ocean, the freedom of being surrounded by nature, and the sense of fulfillment you get when you finish swimming are different from indoor pools, so the number of participants is steadily increasing.
There are many people who participate because it is fun and feels good, regardless of whether they win or lose. . If you are thinking about starting from now on, I think you have various doubts and anxieties. However, you may already have the experience of swimming in a pool or the like.
Once you have mastered the form to swim comfortably in the pool and have become able to swim more than 500m in a relaxed manner, the next step is to practice in the sea. First, get to know the ocean, get used to swimming in it, and participate in competitions.
I think that you will surely become a big fan of open water swimming with lifeguard certification near me because you can get a great exhilaration and fulfillment that is different from the pool!
Teaching by OWS Instructor -Fascination of open water swimming-
- A sport that gives you a great exhilaration and a sense of fulfillment in nature.
- That is the real pleasure of open water swimming.
- Open Water Swimming (OWS) is one of the six competitions of swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and USA swimming style supervised by the USA Swimming Federation.
- Among these six, open water swimming is a sport prone to unpredictable accidents in that nature is the opponent.
Since around 2016, lifesavers with lifesaving skills certified by the Universal Lifeguard Certification (ULC) are required to monitor the competition. Therefore, you will be able to challenge open water swimming safely. Also, because the opponent is natural, it is a wonderful sports competition where you can get a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment as if you had climbed to the top after overcoming it.
Tips and points for enjoying OWS
1: Let’s get along with the sea
There are no stable conditions in the sea, such as currents, waves, swells, uneven bottom, water temperature, wind direction, and weather. But that’s why it’s fun! If you don’t think of these conditions as a risk and feel the sea with your own body, you will have much more fun. Please familiarize yourself with the size of the sea, changes, depth, saltiness, open feeling, etc. In the first competition, the first thing is to get along with the sea without worrying about speed.
2. Never overdo it
Even if you say you want to get along with the sea, the other party is nature. Don’t underestimate it. Let’s manage our physical condition by ourselves. Don’t overdo it. If you feel cold or feel unwell, don’t overdo it and wave your hand to nearby staff and lifesavers (rescuers) as soon as possible.
3. Practice without rushing
Unexpected things happen when you swim. Confusion at the start, contact with close swimmers, leg cramps, choking from drinking water while breathing, etc. It’s easy to panic when that happens. First, stay calm and give the help signal. But with regular practice, she can avoid panicking. When practicing, be sure to use the buddy system (practice in pairs. Always check each other). Let the fast person match while watching the slow person. Never go out to sea alone. Also, once you are out in the ocean, it is difficult to reach you with just your voice, so it is recommended that you decide on your partner’s actions and signs in advance. Leaders should always be aware of their surroundings.
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Part 4. Feel nature to the fullest
As you swim slowly at your own pace, you will be able to experience the sounds of the waves and the wind, the glow of the sun, the sandy beaches and mountains in the distance, the schools of fish swimming in the water, the rocks and sand on the bottom of the water below, the resistance and gentleness of the water, and your own hands. The sound of water entering, the sighs of breathers, etc. are integrated, and you may feel a sense of embrace as if you were surrounded by the great nature. It’s a moment when you can forget your busy daily life. The real thrill of open water swimming is that you can swim with your own strength without relying on any equipment. By all means, please experience that time.
5. Let’s make friends
Unexpected dangers lurk in the sea. Always practice in the ocean with two or more people. We recommend that first-time swimmers and inexperienced swimmers attend training sessions with instructors who are mainly active in open water swimming. Invite each other to go out to sea while practicing in the pool. At that time, it would be best if she had at least one person who could swim better than I did. Three people instead of two, four people instead of three. After participating in the competition, you will have more friends! Encourage each other and increase the number of friends you can have fun with.
What is open water marathon swimming?
A marathon swim is a nonstop, unassisted open water swim of 10 kilometers or longer. Marathon swims take place in oceans, seas, bays, lakes, and rivers throughout the world – as part of organized events, sanctioned solo swims, or self-organized independent solo swims.
