Abstract
Open water swimming is a rapidly growing discipline within organized aquatic sport. Although endurance swimmers have been challenged by oceans, rivers, and lakes for many years, the real understanding of the science of the sport is a new phenomenon. Similarly, the clinical problems of long-distance swimming in environments, frequently inhospitable, are now recognized and managed more effectively. At all times, the health and safety of athletes remains a shared prime concern.
By definition, open water swimming implies any event held outside the confines of a swimming pool. Over the past 30 years, there has been a proliferation of such events in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and on ocean courses, particularly in temperate countries where water temperatures are more welcoming.
This article discusses the development of open water swimming as an international sport, describing its history, characteristics, and some factors that affect the performance of the open water swimmer. Particular emphasis will be placed on issues of special medical importance.
The first of several formal competitions in open water swimming was surf lifesaving, a competitive activity common to New Zealand, Australia, the west coast of the United States, and South Africa. Surf races are held over distances ranging from 300 to 1000 m. Competitors run from the beach into the surf, swim clockwise around a row of eight buoys, anchored behind the surf break, and return directly to the beach where they finish by running between two flags. The advent of the triathlon in the early 1970s stimulated a rapid growth in the popularity of mass-participation, open water events for multisport competitions. These events have lead to an increased regard for the safety of participants and a greater understanding of the demands of open water swimming. The medical supervision of such events continues to challenge aquatic sports medicine experts who must consider the safety of the athlete as their first priority.