Ocean Swimming and its benefits
Courtesy of http://au.sports.yahoo.com/banzai/ocean/feature/-/9563725/why-an-ocean-plunge-is-good-for-you/
below are the benefits of going into the ocean every so often.
Many people dread the thought of dipping their toes in the ocean especially in winter. Little do they know, there are so many benefits for taking the plunge. Not only are you left feeling invigorated and alive but it's great for your muscles and joints too.
The Benefits of an Ocean Plunge
Achievement – there’s no doubt about it, getting in the sea, especially this time of year can be cool and be challenging. What an achievement to say ‘I got in the sea today!’
Anti inflammatory – the cool water temperature is wonderful for joints, muscle pain etc. The cool temperature assists with pain relief and increases circulation which helps give an anti inflammatory affect. This is why an ocean dip can be so beneficially after a hard training session. Professional footballers are often seen after big game or tough training session standing or swimming in the ocean; it brings a quicker recovery from the game or training and builds a great team spirit.
Stimulates Lymphatic system – As the cooler temperature increases circulation, add movement in the water and you will have a boost affect on the lymphatic system, improving the immune system and helping to relieve oedema (swelling). Regular ocean swimmers talk about the ‘magic’ qualities of the ocean, and often say that they don’t get as sick as people who don’t swim.
Feel good factor - Negative ions in our environment are what make us ‘feel good’. Positive ions add stress to our bodies whereas negative ions have the opposite effect. The salt ocean water has been found to be a great source of negative ions, so to jump into deep sea water is a great tonic for both our physical and mental self. If you are not convinced of this, simply observe the faces of people before and after a swim, you will see the difference for yourself. So try it, and feel the ‘magic’ of the ocean for yourself.
Fitness/health – Water training is fantastic for everyone, even if like me you are not a great swimmer and it helps you earn your spring day Exercise Points. I still enjoy water training; my favourite thing is to tread water while having a chat with my best friend, then every now and again we do a ‘marine girl dive’!
* Swimming is great for muscle tone, fitness and to lengthen (stretch) muscles
* Treading water – great all round body conditioner
* Rehabilitation – swimming can be used for recovering from injuries and health problems
* Cross discipline training – great to give your body a change, have a good workout with no impact on knees/back etc
* Swimming encourages great breathing techniques to improve lung capacity
* Walking in through water is great to strengthen legs and balance
* Great for core strength
* Excellent way to train together with people of different fitness levels, health concerns and injury issues
Geoff Heugill - Australian Olympic Swimmer answers Questions and provides tips on ocean swimming please read below again courtesy of http://au.sports.yahoo.com/banzai/ocean/feature/-/9563725/why-an-ocean-plunge-is-good-for-you/
Geoff Huegill has been very successful following the black line for 25 years but as he gets older he's finding himself doing more ocean swims. Huegill will lead over 3000 swimmers in this year's Cold Power North Bondi Classic ocean swim and Banzai were fortunate enough to sit down and chat with the Olympian.
What are some of the major differences between following the black line to free swimming in the ocean?
At first it’s hard to adjust to. When you’re in the pool you know when you’re at the end, you hit the end turn around come back and you clock your distance up that way. With ocean swimming you see the marker swim out there and it’s quite deceiving - it might only be 50 or 100m long but it turns out to be 400m long. The hardest part is pacing yourself and making sure you don’t go too hard. But also, it’s a catch 22 because at the start of the race you want to have a little bit of clear water because there’s a lot of arms and legs flying around and occasionally you cop a hit in the face and every now and then you give one back too!
You talked about pacing, what’s your tip to pacing in an ocean swim? Pace it in sections, go through first little bits then build into the race. I’ll be doing the one kilometre event. It’s not a sprint, so you have to build into it and you don’t want to go too hard too early.
Can those people who had swimming lessons as children go out there in two weeks time and do the ocean swim without having trained in the sea?
I can’t see why not. If you’re ever to do one this is it, because it’s in a controlled environment from the fact that there are lifeguards and there are people out on the course. When you do it with a group of people, you get that sense of safeness and you feel secure about stepping out into the unknown. But if you just come down on a Saturday and try and do a point to point swim a lot of things go through your mind when you’re out in the deep ocean.
Is sweating and hydration an issue when it comes to swimming and can you sweat under water? Yes and yes, it’s always an issue! Hardest thing is when you’re in the water you don’t realise how much you’re actually sweating. Dehydration is actually a big thing for swimmers so keeping up fluids is very important. On competition days and even when sun, water is something drink plenty of.
No different techniques only thing is you have to look for the buoy every 8-10 strokes to make sure you’re heading in the right direction. If caught in a rip or a current is pushing you north or south you need to align yourself with the buoy to make sure you’re going around it properly.
If the current is coming at you, try and breathe with the current and not into it, that’s the easiest thing. The best thing about training is you should always do bilateral breathing, on your left and right side. So if you always favour one side, then when you get out there that side happens to be the side that the wash is coming in your face it’s going to frustrate you and throw you off your game and you’ll hate the whole environment and situation.
Huegills Tips for Ocean Swimming
- Have a chat to the people on duty like the lifeguards and find out the conditions/rips etc.
- Don’t go out of your depth. If the surf is too big leave your swim for another day.
- Find a clear space.
- Try and avoid the rough and the wash.
- Start wide.
- Don’t forget to put on sun cream.
- Have fun!
