Open-water swimming
Simon Murie founded the travel company SwimTrek in 2003. He’s also a solo English Channel swimmer
Open-water swimming near the Lycian Way, Turkey LEFT: Kite surfer performing an aerial stunt on the coast of Cape Town, South Africa PREVIOUS PAGE FROM LEFT: Sea-kayaking in British Columbia; paddleboarding in Croatia
HOW FIT DO YOU NEED TO BE TO TRY OPEN-WATER SWIMMING? Obviously, you need to be a competent, confi dent swimmer — but to get your fi rst taste of it, you don’t need to be anywhere near super-fi t. It’s more important to cross the mental barrier rather than the physical one, so fi nd a safe spot, in good weather and calm conditions, where the water is unpolluted and you’re comfortable with the temperature (or wearing a wetsuit). Then, take a few strokes. It might just be for a couple of minutes, but that’s fi ne. You can swim a bit longer the next time.
2 OPEN-WATER SWIMMING
WHERE Travellers searching for a sense of space and freedom far from the chlorinated confi nes of home-town baths could hardly do better than plunging into the Pacifi c for their fi rst open-water swim. Off the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, you’ll encounter crystal-clear, sediment-free water and an eye-popping array of sea life. Indeed, it’s not uncommon to swim through rolling ocean swells in the company of manta rays and spinner dolphins. Back on terra fi rma, Kailua-Kona is an inspiring base, serving as the home of the Ironman World Championships for over 40 years. WHEN Go in May and June when the winds are generally lighter and seas calmer.
WHAT Join a course such as Swimtrek’s Introduction to Open Water for coaching both onshore and off , as well as the company of like- minded beginners and a safety escort. Most are no more than half a mile in length, building to a fi nal mile-long outing on Kealakekua Bay. WHO Swimmers will need to be clocking up 1,640 feet back home before booking. They’ll then be sent a training programme to bring their fi tness up another notch before they travel. HOW Swimtrek is off ering two fi ve-night Introduction to Open Water camps on Hawaii’s Big Island in May and June, starting from £2,050 B&B, not including fl ights. Accommodation is at the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
swimtrek.com
WHAT’S THE BEST STROKE FOR OPEN-WATER SWIMMING? Front crawl is the most effi cient stroke, provided it’s done properly. But if you’re struggling with your breathing, or any other aspect of your technique, switch to breast stroke.
IS IT OKAY TO SWIM ALONE? The general rule is to always try and swim with someone else, and if not, get a friend or family member to watch you. If that doesn’t work, then another option is fi nd a location with other swimmers/water users or people on the shoreline who can spot you if you’re in trouble. If you do this, then make sure you stick close to the shore. You need to research your route online as well and — once you get there — pick easily-identifi ed in and out points.
National Geographic Traveller – Coastal Collection 11
IMAGES: ALAMY; SWIMTREK
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