What Open Water Swimming Offers
Open water swimming has both physical and mental health benefits for us all. Many people describe the feeling of intense satisfaction after plunging into cold water. It leaves the body tingling all over and helps clear the mind of worries and anxieties. Year-round swimmers are adamant that the sea has the potential to alleviate the effects of a number of physical ailments including arthritis, chronic pain and lots more.
Take The Right Safety Precautions
Open water swimming can be an enjoyable experience when people have the right safety knowledge and preparation. It is important to remember, there are considerably more dangers in winter than in summer months. If you see someone in difficulty, please dial 112 and ask for the coast guard.
Rip Currents
As waves travel from deep to shallow water, they will break near the shoreline. When waves break strongly in some locations and weakly in others, this can cause circulation cells which are seen as rip currents: narrow, fast-moving belts of water traveling offshore. They are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers.
Water Temperatures and Tides
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Water Quality
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Videos
Rip Currents │ Swim Between The Flags
Rip currents generally emerge in an area of darker water. Often the surface of the water is unsettled and if there are waves, they will be breaking on either side, but not directly in the rip.
People can swept be out to sea extremely quickly in a rip current and will quickly find themselves out of their depth. They need to be aware of the flags and the signs on the beach. A sign will often indicate if there is a rip current in the area and if there is a red flag, that means it’s dangerous to swim.
Our top three tips to stay safe around rip currents: 1. Swim between the red and yellow flags. Red and yellow means its safe to swim. 2. If you find yourself caught in a rip current, remain calm, swim parallel to the beach. This will get you out of the rip current and you will be able to swim in. 3. If you can’t do this, raise your arm and a lifeguard will be there to assist you.
Open Water Swimming – Better Safe Than Sorry
Experienced swimmer Paddy McNamara explains how experienced Open Water Swimmers enjoy it safely. Safe never swims alone. Safe knows local tides and currents. Safe wears a brightly coloured tow buoy. Sorry? Sorry shouldn’t be in the water.
For advice, visit www.watersafety.ie.
Remember – Better Safe, Than Sorry.
Open Water Swimming – What’s The Attraction?
Swimmers and dippers speak to feelings of health, happiness and peace of mind. Safety is always their priority.
Open Water Swimming Part 1 of 3 – Preparation
Open water swimmer Dee Newell, takes you through her pre-swim routine so that you know how to prepare for a safe and enjoyable dip.
Open Water Swimming Part 2 of 3 – Your Swim
In the second of our open water swimming video series, Dee Newell discusses how to manage your swim so that you get the best experience while always remaining safe.
Open Water Swimming Part 3 of 3 – Getting Out
Once you finish your swim and exit onto dryland, it is important to follow some key safety steps. Dee Newell shares her after-swim practices to help you have a safe and enjoyable experience.