Open water swimming are rising in recognition. But so are the risks

Courtesy Mollye Miller

Courtesy Mollye Miller

Courtesy Mollye Miller

Courtesy Mollye Miller

Rescue crews are again on the Potomac River Monday afternoon searching for a 20-year-old Towson University pupil who went lacking within the water over the weekend whereas swimming.

While open water swimming has gained in recognition lately, specialists mentioned many security measures should be in place first.

“There’s a certain magic to it,” mentioned Katie Pumphrey, an ultramarathon open water swimmer, who has stroked the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the English Channel. “You’re out in nature. It’s the same reason why we like going to parks or on hikes.”

She mentioned swimming in rivers, lakes and oceans can flip lethal quick. Parts of the Potomac River are identified for sturdy and speedy currents.

“Lakes have a very different challenge than rivers,” Pumphrey instructed WTOP. “But also, does that body of water have currents and tidal changes? And that’s a lot to learn about open water.”

Also be careful for boats and maintain to designated swim areas, she mentioned. The climate also can pose threats for swimmers, bringing out pink flags.

“When swimming in any body of open water, avoid swimming 48 hours after a heavy rain event, as that can impact water quality and bring debris into the waterway,” Pumphrey mentioned. “Look to the flags or signage in your swimming area for more details on things to look out for.”

Two years in the past, Pumphrey swam 24 miles from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to carry consciousness to the game and swimmable waterways.

Then, earlier this 12 months, she based the Baltimore Open Waters Swimmers (BOWS) affiliation to create a standard house for open water swimmers and advocate for clear waterways. Last week, greater than 100 swimmers dove into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for the primary open water organized swim in a long time.

For swimmers who wish to hit the open waters, Pumphrey mentioned making an attempt out an organized occasion just like the group’s one-mile swim is an effective strategy to keep secure. Some teams supply pop-up swims for rookies and superior swimmers who want to take a dip.

“Maybe you’re not a distance swimmer ready to do a mile,” she mentioned. “But you want to go splash around, events like that give you an opportunity to get into the water.”

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