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Glistening Dave's ocean swims calendar 2010... order now

Etiquette ... a code of conduct for ocean swimmers ... more

Etiquette ...

I have noticed in the case of the younger and or inexperienced swimmer, that they have a tendency to swim in short bursts. They often stop completely for no apparent reason, often doing a few breastroke kicks before taking off again at speed. During many swims I have swum beside someone exhibiting this type of swimming over several hundred metres. It is very annoying to be beside or behind and makes it really hard for you to swim to your own rhythm.

It is also dangerous as they are often so unpredictable. I have been kicked on many occasions. Unfortunately this type of swimmer often has very poor navigational skills and you may find yourself hit at a strange angle, swum into or over many times if you are in their vicinity. Try as you might, they are not always easy to shake. I have tried waiting and letting them pass only to find them breaststroking in front of your face several minutes later. I have tried to swim past them but this can be treated as a threat but at least they keep swimming without stopping until they get in front of you again, only to revert to the swim-stop-breaststroke pattern again. I have tried to swim away at an angle and I can only guess that because they aren’t confident in their own navigational ability they think you know better (you probably do) and they join you. Invariably they end up using a lot of their energy in the first sections of the race and a slow and steady (in comparison) style swimmer will end up well in front over time. It is also dumb to start out like “a Bull at a gate” and then struggle to finish. This is not how you swim an oceanswim!. You need to be aware of others and do what you can to make their experience and yours enjoyable.

I notice a lot of congestion at the start of a race is caused by slower swimmers insisting on being in prime position on the starting line and swimming like mad for a few metres only to fade suddenly. Other better and more polite swimmers get caught behind big groups of people like this. Very quickly, it becomes evident that the faster swimmers need to get around and so they try to overtake. Some people see this as a personal attack on their ability and lash out at anyone who dares to try and pass them. I have witnessed mad thrashing just because someone slid beside them....

Relax, please. Some contact is unavoidable. There is contact and contact. Almost all contact is unintentional and if you are washed onto or beside a seasoned swimmer you will just glide by each other, after all you are heading in the same direction. This is a painless and usually not unpleasant experience. Occasionally arms get a bit tangled... If this happens, relax, move your arm out of the way slowly – what’s one missed stroke? If you swim near someone who you feel is deliberately trying to lash out or hurt you, change direction slightly and swim away from them. You will spoil your own swim if  you don’t. There is no point wasting all that energy on “biffo”. Save it for a final sprint or to get onto that wave at the end.

Please be considerate of other swimmers. If you are going to breaststoke, don’t do it in a crowded spot or close to a buoy. Look behind you first and make sure you are not about to kick someone's teeth out. If you get nervous or a bit overwhelmed and want to keep going, don’t be afraid to ask another perhaps more experienced swimmer to swim with you (most wouldn’t mind). If I see someone stopped and facing in the opposite direction I always ask them if they are ok and, I think, if you did this you would be inundated with offers. You’ll probably make a new friend too, so there is no down side.

Mrs Sparkle

(Anna receives a prize from View Swim Gear for her contribution to Etiquette... Click here to submit your suggestion ...)

Coaching ...

One pleasant sunny day, in August, I was at the sea pool. The water was 14 Celsius. Damn it was cold. It was so cold that one of the old chugs churning up and down the pool made an exclamation at the end of his lap. This was unusual, so I listened in to what the old chug had to say.
 
He said, “Bit chilly mate. Might have to get a cap. Hahahahahahaharrr!”
 
Bollocks to the vaso. What the hell is vaso going to do for you in 14C? Just get in and be done with it. It’s a swim. In the ocean. It’s worth it.

Glenn Muir

(Glenn receives a prize from View Swim Gear for his contribution to Coaching ... click here to submit your suggestion ...)