Safe swimming in open water
Swimming in natural water is different from swimming laps in chlorine. A few tips to do that safely with lifeguard recertification near me.
Safety.
Assess your swimming abilities well and practice in the pool how to stretch your foot or calf in the event of a cramp, while staying afloat.
Find suitable open water. The rural locations whose water quality is checked can be found here . Swimming along a line is safer than straight across puddles. It is usually shallower there and you may have something to grab. Look for open waters where you will not be overrun by other water sports enthusiasts (surfers, sailors, water skiers).
Preferably do not swim alone, but with a group to keep an eye on each other.
Guidance by a canoeist is top notch. An alternative is a ‘supervisor’ on the side. He can keep an eye on the swimmer(s) and also on the things on the side. Set up a signal if you are in trouble so that they can call for help. If you really go swimming all by yourself, always let someone know where you are going and what time you expect to be back.
Wear a brightly colored swim cap so that you are visible to other water sports enthusiasts. Orange, yellow, pink and red are good colors.
Valuables can be stored in a special small waterproof bag or tube with a cord. Check the water tightness before you put your car keys in it.
water quality.
Check the water quality regularly, especially when the water gets warmer. Blue-green algae, botulism and Weil’s disease are notorious.
Swimming in cold water.
Cold water carries the risk of hypothermia. Of course, a wetsuit helps to insulate your body. If you don’t have one or if you are swimming in a competition where wetsuits are not allowed, a layer of Vaseline also has an insulating effect. In addition, it is advisable to wear a swimming cap in cold bathing water to keep your head warmer. A silicone swim cap protects better than a thin latex one.
- Adjust your training time to the water temperature and the intensity of your training.
- Rijkswaterstaat keeps track of the water temperature in many places in the Netherlands.
To remove Vaseline, a washcloth with gel-soap to which you do not need to add water works. Warm clothes and a thermos of tea or stock can be very nice after a cold swim.
See also our other information about swimming in cold water.
A swimming buoy
You can do three different things with a swim buoy:
- You can take your personal belongings into the water so you don’t have to leave your keys, telephone or the like on the side.
- You can float on it when you get a cramp
- You stand out as a swimmer for other water sports enthusiasts.
- Using a buoy in open water is highly recommended if you swim in deep water or when you train alone. You order it here .
Swimming competitions in open water?
Would you like to swim competitions in open water?
The KNZB and the NTB work together in Open Water swimming. Triathletes with a triathlon license are welcome at competitions organized under the flag of the KNZB.
But nowadays there are also more and more city swims and swim trips where performance is not the primary focus. For example, you can swim a trip of 1 / 2 / 4 kilometers with us every year .
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