KIDDLE'S CORNER
VIEW FROM A COACH
GROWTH SPORT
Elite coach Rick Kiddle tells it how he sees it. This issue: open water swimming venues are sprouting up around the country but how safe are they really?
As a triathlete, I’ve got used to saying, proudly – when promoting the sport – that triathlon is the fastest
growing sport in the country. But in 2010 we saw a striking shift, with a massive spurt in the numbers of open water swimmers. I’ve seen this fi rst hand. For the past seven years, I've been able to organise and run open water swimming at a popular lake just off the M25. At the start, we were the fi rst lake in the country to provide everything swimmers needed. We offered a policed safe and friendly facility where you could swim at any pace, measure your performance, hire or buy a wetsuit, and get access to qualifi ed coaching. Afterwards, you could have a warm shower and eat a bacon sandwich. At fi rst, our customers were mostly triathletes, with a smattering of Channel swimmers, but we now see a much more varied profi le of swimmer. And, rather than 50 or so people a week, we're seeing more like 400. Many people now simply want to enjoy swimming in a safe and controlled environment, or are training for events such as the British Gas Great Swims. At the same time, numerous other lakes around the country
have created facilities for open water swimmers. The sport is growing so fast, in fact, that I suspect in 2011 it will be the fastest growing of all, overtaking triathlon. This explosion in both participation and venue-choice is
obviously great for the sport, but – in our rush to jump in the lakes – are we neglecting safety? If someone organises a swimming session in open water, do they understand the implications of what they are doing? Are they insured? Is the water tested? Are there satisfactory Emergency Action Plans and Operating Procedures in place? Who is qualifi ed to jump in and rescue a swimmer in trouble? Are there safety boats in the water while swimmers are in there? I’m sure some of you are now thinking: “Kiddle, don’t be a killjoy! Open water swimming is an extreme sport. Part of the thrill is in the risk and the element of the unknown.” And, to an extent, you may be right. Two decades ago we used to jump into lakes, oceans and rivers and just get on with it. It was the only way to train. But – and this is a big but – what happens if someone gets into diffi culties and subsequently drowns? This can, and does, happen. Whenever and wherever anyone swims there is a risk of drowning. And the stakes get higher for those who are training for competitive events: by pushing their body to the limits, swimmers are taking risks. Those risks can never be eliminated, but they can be signifi cantly reduced and we have moral and legal obligations to ensure they are.
Beautiful! But is it safe?
WHENEVER AND WHEREVER ANYONE SWIMS THERE IS A RISK OF DROWNING
If we want to continue to swim in open water, which we passionately do, then we must take safety seriously and build structures that minimize risk for everyone, from the novice in a stiff, surfi ng wetsuit to an Olympic champion. I fi rmly believe we can achieve this without stifl ing the sheer joy of swimming in lakes and rivers. Take responsibility for your safety and for those around you.
Next time you swim at an organised venue ask what safety procedures they have in place. If it’s not up to scratch, make it your business to get something done before there’s an accident. If we all look after each other, we’ll keep the sport safe for everyone. ∆
Former British triathlon champion, triathlon and swimming coach, Rick Kiddle has coached British Gas employees and other swimmers including celebrities Jodie Kidd, in her British Gas Great Swim series event, and Vernon Kay for the London Triathlon. Contact him at
rick@rickkiddle.com with your comments, questions and suggestions. Or why not write in to our letters page? Email
letters@h2openmagazine.com
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Photo © Trevor Hopkins
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