6 replies to this topic

[Rockupandroll]

Hi all,

I've just signed up for a 4k swim across a lake in Wales for charity. I'm an ok swimmer but have trouble doing the front crawl as my legs don't float. Has anyone got any advice about swimming in open water, training, how to get my legs to float and whether I should get a wetsuit and if so what kind.

Whilst I'm at it, I'll be camping on the bank of the lake the night before the swim and any advice on how I can make that easier would also be great.

Any advice would be really welcome.

Cheers

Rockupandroll

[dangerousdave]

Let me see - you complete nutter

You are going to be imursed in water for some distance and you don't think a wet suit is advisable
Having a floatation devise for your non floating legs might bend your back a bit
Does your camp site have toileting facilities
Sleeping bag, matress, tent as per the event, but no loo is a no no.
I have a tent I can erect without help, but if no loo on site - no me
I've had no experiance with flotation devices but do very a swim with differant strokes
I didn't even go canoeing without a wet suit

Do a bit more planning - and good luck

[cate]

Open water is very cold. ie lakes etc, and I would say a wet suit is a must, even the trialon swimmers use them and they are fit. there is a book out on open water swims, cannot remember name also there has been a lot this year, so must be an organisation that could help and give advice, and I would think you would be helped with a floatation on your legs, have your tried any, talk to your local swimming pool, if y ou go there training they should be able to find out for you, think you have not looked into this enough, good for you for trying

[airart1]

preparation is a must............

[edlee]

I'm not altogether sure that an " ok swimmer" should be trying a 4 kilometer swim across open water. Distance swimming is a very strenuous activity. One that needs a great deal of preparation, so as not to endanger yourself,, or those who will have to try to pull you out when you find you overestamated your stamina.

It isn't a race on land, where you can just stop and rest, then hail a cab.

As for the camping,,, no prob,,, but take along a toilet seat. or a camp chair with a properly place hole in the seat. As long as you have no problems with modesty, that is...

If you use a full wet suit, that will keep your legs up. The neopreme is quite bouyant.

Give it some thought,,,, and a lot of practice time,, and I think you will do well. Not to mention,, if you finish,, you'll be my new hero.

Go for it Rocky.
ed

[Rockupandroll]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your advice and your words of caution. I think I should probably reasure you on a couple of issues. I'm actually doing the swim for a spinal injuries charity called Aspire http://www.aspire.org.uk/ and there will be a support boat in the water, so there will be people on hand who know what they are doing, even if I don't at this time! Also the swim isn't until August so I have plenty of time to train, train and train some more. I'd also previously checked and the campsite does have an accessible toilet. I'm going to keep a training diary on my blog www.rockupandroll.com, so any tips I do get I'll make sure they are credited in future posts.

Thanks

Rockupandroll

[Tate]

I've done a lot of research into water sports and as far as I can tell a wet suit is the golden ticket. I recently purchased one for about $120 U.S. and it's awesome. It provides excellent warmth and good buoyancy. I got an NRS 3mm one with a front zip (so much easier to get into) that has a zip in the bottom (incase you need to pee) and zippers on the lower legs (awesome for getting on as well) I was a good swimmer before my SCI and now I've found that an elementary backstroke is the best for me, it's slow but it is the most efficient, doesn't tire me out and uses different muscles than pushing the chair. Plus I can breath all I want!

Bottom line... wet suits are a good investment!