Anyone know of such a thing?
Some friends and I want to do some open water swims early in the a.m. (before dawn).
It’s on a bay and there are fishing boats that go out early from time to time (although it’s a very quite area).
Was thinking it might be a good idea to have some sort of light source during the swim (maybe attach to the back of goggles strap)?
Then again----probably will create more curiosity than anything and have a boat come over to us.
-YT
How about a plain old glow stick?
you could tie it to the back of your goggles, maybe?
Watch out for russian spy divers and pirate ghost ships. I hear predawn is when they like to come out to play.
Anyone know of such a thing?
Some friends and I want to do some open water swims early in the a.m. (before dawn).
It’s on a bay and there are fishing boats that go out early from time to time (although it’s a very quite area).
Was thinking it might be a good idea to have some sort of light source during the swim (maybe attach to the back of goggles strap)?
Then again----probably will create more curiosity than anything and have a boat come over to us.
-YT
As a U.S.C.G. licensed captain and regular boater at night I have to tell you that swimming at night is extremely dangerous under any circumstance. When driving a boat at night you are looking for other boats (hopefully with proper navigation lights) and markers (some lit, some not). You are really focused on spotting unlit boats (more than you would think) and unlit markers at a distance. It’s just a crap shoot that you don’t hit any floating debris or objects because you can NOT see them. I wouldn’t do it if I was you. I’ve seen what a propeller does to human flesh. Not worth the risk.
And you’re not worried that the light will be a squid or shark attractant?
Sharks looooooooove to get a breakfast snack before a hard days swimming looking for food. A couple of brightly lit triathletes would be a nice light snack. Not too fatty to weigh them down and bloat them for the day.
Maybe you could strap a T-Bone steak to you feet to ward them off? (just kidding, sharks prefer Scotch Fillet over T-Bone!)
Ignoring the smartness of the idea, hit up the ultra swimmer forums - many of them use various products for being better seen in openwater. Oftentimes they are tied onto them and dragged behind floating.
Having either a boat or at least kayak escort would be the smartest idea if you wanted to do it, but at least I would suggest something along this line http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/AQUFFI.html?Search=op%3DgcsSearch%26Term%3D%26SearchFlag%3Dall%26AdvSrchSortField%3DStock%26DescSort%3D0%26Description%3Don%26Hit%3D1
You could carry a cell phone in a waterproof bag on it and light it up like a christmas tree with LED lights but you will have to tether it to you. I have also seen a waist band with a flag attached for visibility whilst swimming but this is useless if for any reason you are not horizontal in the water and provides no floatation if needed.
If I was going to swim in the dark, around fishing boats heading out, I would tether up something like a small inflatable boat (kids size) and light that thing up. You want something that has a profile above water. I don’t think a small light at the water surface would do much good.
And you’re not worried that the light will be a squid or shark attractant?
Sharks looooooooove to get a breakfast snack before a hard days swimming looking for food. A couple of brightly lit triathletes would be a nice light snack. Not too fatty to weigh them down and bloat them for the day.
Maybe you could strap a T-Bone steak to you feet to ward them off? (just kidding, sharks prefer Scotch Fillet over T-Bone!)
Bingo! swim to the light
get one of these things and wrap some battery powered x-mas lights around it and tow it behind you. (minus the kid)
i’d be to scared to swim in the dark… monsters and such!
Then again----probably will create more curiosity than anything and have a boat come over to us.
That’s exactly what will happen if you are using anything other thatn the regular green and red nav lights on a real boat. Anything bright enough to really aid a boat in seeing you will look like a distress signal and will attract boats like flies - the exact opposite of what you want. Even worse, every boat that sees your light will call the coast guard reporting sighting a light that looks, inevitably, exactly what someone who fell overboard or sank would have on. So a coast guard rescue diver is gong to be jumping out of a helicopter onto your back to “save” you. When they find you were just out for a swim, you’re going to get a $10,000 bill for the rescue flight.
I wouldn’t kayak at night in a situation like that never mind swim. There’s a decent chance the person at the wheel (if there is one, they might be on autopilot) is not paying much attention or is just watching the radar.
Two thoughts here; one applies to fresh and salt water, one only to salt water.
If you’re talking about the ocean, dawn and dusk are never good times to be anywhere where the things that go bump in the night are bigger than you - those are the most active times for all predators, marine and terrestrial.
Add a bay to that mix, especially if it’s anywhere near the mouth of any stream or river, and you’re just not talking about a very good idea.
Whatever body of water you’re talking about, if there are boats it’s just not worth the risk. Go drive a boat at night and you’ll see why.
As a previous active duty member in the coast guard with rescue swimmer training I would highly suggest you did not do swims before dawn. Though I have done many stupid things that make other people go “uh…” that is not one I would do. If you did wear some sort of a light it would more than likely attract small fish, which attract bigger fish, which attract those really big ones(not sure what coast you are on). If you did wear a light or some sort of a reflective tape on your cap it would simply attract boaters thinking you are a buoy or some other navigational equipment. Its doable in the right situation and sounds like a sweet idea I would be all about, but I would try to stear clear of it.
Take turns being in a bright boat with a lot of lights. Sounds like fun.
But not the first ST Darwin Award nominee…?
get one of these things and wrap some battery powered x-mas lights around it and tow it behind you. (minus the kid)
That’s a pretty good idea.
But, unfortunately, it doesn’t solve the issue of you (the swimmer) hitting some unseen object or debris at night.
But, unfortunately, it doesn’t solve the issue of you (the swimmer) hitting some unseen object or debris at night.
i swim with my eyes closed anyways at that hour!
I’m not thinking it’s the best idea in the world to swim pre-dawn, but maybe one of these to pull along behind you would help:
http://www.diveprodivegear.com/m8/80303--dive-alert-smb-surface-marker-buoy.html
It’s meant for divers, but might be along the lines of what you’re looking for as far as visibility.