We start the Open Water season

Below we present the Open Water project of the Barcelona City Council with the collaboration of Club Lleuresport, which aims to encourage the practice of swimming in open water both for people who want to start and for those who already have an intermediate level (The minimum necessary to come is to be able to go and return to the buoy located 200m from the coast).

We will leave from the IEM Espai de Mar. We meet on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. already changed and changed! In the center you will have lockers, changing rooms, toilets and showers and you will be able to arrive before the start of the session.

There will be 12 free consecutive sessions of an hour and a half, with a qualified instructor, on Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the option of continuing with us on a timely basis or with a session bonus for initiation courses or improvement. Check prices on our website. espaidemar.cat

As in every year, it is necessary to reserve a place. To do this, you must send an email to aiguesobertes@lleuresport.cat attaching the signed pdf below. 12 totally free consecutive sessions of an hour and a half will be reserved, with a qualified instructor, on Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Once these sessions are over, you will have the option of continuing with us on a timely basis or with a session voucher for beginner or advanced courses. We will confirm if you have a place or not.

Let us remind you that it is an open water initiation group, so if you have too much level the monitor will be able to refer you to the improvement group that takes place on Saturdays.

If you want to use neoprene and/or buoy, they can be rented at our facility (7 euros for the neoprene and 3 euros for the buoy)

Classes will start on May 10 until December 20 and, although it is a schedule, on November 1 and December 6 the activity will not take place coinciding with a holiday.

For more information you can contact aiguesobertes@lleuresport.cat

OPEN WATER REGULATIONS

Before the session:

  • The groups will adapt to the current restrictions of the IEM Espai de Mar center, it will be mandatory to reserve a place in advance.
  • Once your reservation is confirmed, we will automatically reserve 12 consecutive sessions for you.
  • If you cannot come on a specific date, you will not be able to recover any unused sessions unless there is a medical reason.
  • Failure to attend 3 sessions without medical justification will imply the cancellation of subsequent reservations and the place will be assigned to a person on the waiting list.
  • Anyone who carries out the activity has at their disposal the use of a changing room to be able to change and leave their belongings, which includes a locker and shower. You can access the locker room 30 minutes before to be ready at the start time of the session.
  • If you arrive after the session has started, you will not be able to access it.
  • To participate in the session it is necessary to be able to go and return to the buoy at least (about 500 meters). At most, about 1,000 meters will be done per session depending on the level of the group.
  • The technical staff will be able to assess the need to change your group if your level is higher and you are prepared to measure 1,500 meters or more.
  • You can rent a buoy and neoprene at the reception of the center.
  • In case you have not returned the signed documents, you will sign them at the reception before the session.
  • If the weather conditions do not allow the session to take place, it will be canceled and the reservation will be compensated.

During the session:

  • The instructions of the technical staff must be followed at all times. In case of not doing so, reserves the right to cancel the reservations made.

After the session:

  • If you rent our neoprene or buoy, you will remove it before entering the center and leave it in the bucket at reception for later cleaning and disinfection.

 

I, ____________________________________________________________ sign that I understand and agree to the above guidelines as of _________, 2023:

OPEN WATER DAY

Schedule:

  • 14 hours Water class Obiertas (1: 30h)
  • Conferences – from 16 h.

Speaker schedules:

Luis Rodriguez Adalia: “What can I learn from the best swimmers in open water?” – 16 h.

The coach responsible for the CAR of Sant Cugat, who has trained medalists and professional swimmers in open water will explain what we can learn from the best in this modality.

We can take advice from professionals to apply those lower level swimmers or amateurs to improve performance and increase the benefits of practicing this sport.

Carles Llagostera: “Transition from the pool to the beach with security” – 4:45 PM

In Carlos Llagostera he is technical director of the open water section of the Vic-ETB. This national swimming coach will show us the main progressions that any swimmer who wants to participate safely in open water events should do.

Among other tips, he will explain to us which swimming techniques they must learn beforehand, such as knowing the ideal conditions for swimming in the sea or what material is essential to enjoy swimming safely in open waters.

Andrea Comaposada Garcia, Co-founder of Anèl·lides: “Qui viu a les platges de Barcelona?” – 5.30pm

That company is dedicated to donate serveis environmentals marins, fent awareness and dissemination of the importance of conserving and caring for the environment and the flora and fauna that can be trobar a l’aigua.

Ens faran a ponència on what is possible trobar durant l’estona that estam nedant to the platja of Barcelona, ​​the flora and the fauna, the seves characteristics per a conéixer millor tot allò that ens pot deixar veure the Mediterrani sea.

1. PUT ON A CAP THAT LOOKS GOOD.

In the sea it is not obligatory to bring a bathing cap, but it is a
security element more. If possible, a color should be chosen
striking. You have to take into account the color when buying them
The: bright pink, green, yellow, orange and white are the most
recommended.

2. YOU MUST SWIM WITH A SAFETY BOY.

It is an indispensable security element. In addition to granting
great visibility, provide load capacity. Carry a mobile
and some food is not a bad idea. For example, take a
old mobile that we did not use and a couple of ice just in case;
save more than one difficulty.

3. SWIM WITH A COMPANION.

Whenever you can, you should swim with a partner is essential
for security. It is also a way to optimize
the performance In the sea if something happens, the help of a companion
It is always appreciated. If you can not swim with a partner, always
You can swim in areas closer to the beach.

4. PRIORITIZE THE SURVIVOR’S HOURS.

The lifeguard schedule on the beaches of Barcelona is very extensive,
so, it is important to organize the exit in
lifeguard schedule, because if something happens, you can get
to save life.

5. SPECIAL ATTENTION IN THE NOISES.

In the water the noises have a peculiarity, it is not known where they come from.
That is why, when you hear an unusual noise,
You must stop, raise your head and see what it is about.

6. YOU MUST BREATHE BILATERALLY.

Apart from to avoid injuries and imbalances when we are swimming,
bilateral breathing serves to have more eye contact
with our environment. Bilateral breathing should be combined
with the view to the front and in addition, the lathe is controlled and
will improve orientation at sea.

7. STOP IF THERE WERE SOMEONE OR SOMETHING NEAR.

If you see something or someone near you, you should stop. it’s more
common so it seems that they do not realize there is a swimmer.
If necessary, shake your arms to see you.

8. YOU MUST ASSUME THAT OTHERS CAN NOT SEE YOU, ALTHOUGH YOU CAN SEE THEM.

This is very important to internalize it. When we swim, we are submerged
in the water, a swimmer is inconspicuous for it should be
Be aware that you are unprotected.

9. DO NOT LOSE CALM.

In the face of any type of unforeseen the most important thing is not
lose calm. Stay calm in case of suffering a ramp
or feel fatigue while swimming in open water, can help
to overcome the situation successfully.

10. USE NEOPRENE IN A COLD TIME.

Weather and temperature can greatly affect your performance.
That’s why on cold days we recommend swimming with a suit
of neoprene. You can not be trusted and you should be cautious. although
If you are an experienced swimmer, it is not advisable to go
too much at sea to avoid unnecessary risks.

11. THE TECHNIQUE DOES NOT TIRED.

To prevent external factors from winning the race, you have to swim
taking care of the technique from the first moment. In addition, it is
the best formula to avoid getting tired for free in each
armful.

12. WAVE COUNCIL.

In swimming, breathing is always very important. but when
this sport is practiced in open waters even more so.
To breathe safely, you should look at the waves that
come towards you and breathe on the other side. In this way we will avoid
Swallow more amount of water.

3a. HYDRATION:

When we swim, our body is loosing liquid and electrolytes as any other physical activity. For this reason, we must ensure a correct hydration plan.

Before start, be sure you are well hydrated, without being thirsty. Thirst is the first symptom to a deficiency of water, and can be the first of a chain of problems, as strength lost, muscle cramps or worst things.

When you do more than one hour of activity, it will be necessary to bring a can of wáter or isotonic drink. If you swim in the sea, you can use safety buoys to bring drink with you. And remember, water from the sea, from lakes or rivers it is not safe for your health.

At the end, you can recover eating fruit like melon, watermelon, oranges… that will help to raise your body liquid reserves, at the same time that help to get energy.

Try to avoid alcohol drinks, as alcohol is a dehydrating toxin.

3b. NUTRITION:

Before start, it is better to eat food that gives you energy (high in carbohydrates), a minimum of 3 hours before the start. Try to avoid food high on fats or fiber, as them provoke a slower digestion.

If your crossing is longer than one hour, you should eat foods of easy digestion and high energy. We recommend you to try foods you are going to use in competition during your trainings, so you will feel if it is good for you. Do not experience on the race day!

When you finish, it is needed to recover part of the energy spent, as electrolytes and vitamins. Isotonic drinks, fruits and high protein food should be the base of your post-swimming meal.

Try to drink and eat slow when you finish, as it facilitates your recovering process.

For last, ask a nutritional professional how to plan accurately your drinks and meals.

4.a Forecast: sea conditions are not always stable. Be sure you know the forecast, the public recommendations (as colour flags) or other things that will let you enjoy of your swimming time.

4.b Company: always swim with someone. It will be more fun and safe.

4.c Visibility: be sure you are visible in the sea. Use live-colourful wear and safety buoys and everybody will see you (swimmers, safe-guards, boats).

4.d Level: before start to swim open waters, be sure you have enough level of swim in the swimming pool. You need to do homework in the swimming pool before enjoy the sea.

4.e Warm up: before start, to some articulation mobility exercises and start with low intensity swim styles.

4.f Route: try to follow the route marked. Don’t overpass buoys to avoid swimming in boats circulation areas.

4.g Equipment: sometimes, you need to use specific equipment, as wetsuits (for low temperatures or jellyfish presence).

Swimming was born as a surviving practice against aquatic environment, dangerous for human people.

Necessity of moving was vital for prehistoric tribes, and sometimes they needed to overcome natural obstacles as rivers, lakes, beaches…

Since XVIII century, it was not funded the first Swimming organization. It was made in Englanc, called the National Swimming Society, and was a society that wanted to understand swimming as something more than surviving in the water. It was the flowering age of sports.

That way, first races where organized in rivers and beaches, and with the pass of time, in swimming pools.
Then, in the first modern Olympic games, Athens 1896, swimming was one of main sports, and organizers decided to celebrate all races in the sea, because they wanted to safe money not investing on swimming pool equipment.

Nevertheless, it was not before 2008 in Pekin Olympic Games that Open Waters were considered a specific sport, not depending on FINA (the responsible of swimming competitions in the world).

Nowadays, we can find a lot of variety in Open Waters, with races from less than 1km to authentic swimming marathons of more than 25 kms.

Picture of an old swimming race

In Spain, we can highlight a few swimmers like Kiko Hervás or Erika Villaécija, who was the only national representant in the last Open Waters Olympic Games race.

We would like to highlight other swimmers like David Meca, who popularized long distance crossings, like Jávea-Ibiza, or the amazing swimmer Margarita “Tita” Llorens, a “purist” swimmer (she doesn’t wear wetsuit) who did other crossings like Ibiza-Mallorca.

Swimmer Margarita “Tita” Llorens