Swimming evokes memories and images of the fun time in the pool for many. Then there are the few for whom it means the beach and the sea. Swimming, dodging the crashing waves and looking out for the currents, is a challenge in itself, adding a dash of adrenaline rush to your favourite fitness activity. Swimming, be it in a pool, or in the sea, provides the same health benefits. So, which do you prefer? While there is no clear winner as far as advantages are concerned, both the pool and the sea provide certain unique benefits.
Pool swimming before sea swimming
The swimming pool offers a safe, confined space for you to clock in your laps. It is great to keep track (counting the laps) and push yourself (since if you get too tired, you still have the option to take a break at the end of the lap or even mid lap).
The sea, on the other hand, takes the monotony out of swimming. It is ideal if you are into long-distance swimming, a la marathon, albeit on water. It should all start in the pool though, say experts. Even if you are interested in sea swimming, the technique should be mastered in the pool, where a coach or a mentor can help you learn the strokes. Getting the basics right is important to swim confidently in the open water – be it a river, lake or the sea.
“The person should be a good, confident and a strong swimmer in the swimming pool,” says Mumbai-based coach Ujwal Poojari, who specialises in training people for open water swimming. “So, whenever we take people for sea swimming practice or training, the basic criteria is that the person should be able to swim at least 200-metre in a swimming pool.”
Once they have built a strong base by swimming in the pool, the transition is easier. Of course there are challenges too, be it in the pool or the sea and certain advantages as well. For instance, in the sea, the salt water provides more buoyancy. So, it is relatively easy to float in the sea. However, this advantage is negated by the choppy nature of the water in the sea.
“Swimming, be it in a pool or the sea, is a great cardiovascular activity,” says Poojari. Where you opt to swim should depend on the level of swimming and a person’s efficiency. While training, everyone faces difficulties. When you put in the hours and hard work it becomes easier.
Safety in sea swimming
To start with, people might be intimidated by the depth. Experts say, this mental block can easily be overcome by mastering the technique and becoming confident in their swimming skills.
“The technique used is the same for pool and sea swimming. However, for sea swimming, the glide in each stroke [distance per stroke or DPS] is more important,” says Olympian Gagan Ullalmath, who coaches in Bengaluru. “A person needs to find a team of enthusiasts who are willing to train together. It is not advisable to swim in open water alone.”
This holds true in pool swimming too. If you are a weak swimmer, never go into the deep end of pools or the sea. It is always better to stay in the shallow end where you can stand or walk in case you are fatigued. The ideal way to train swimming in the sea is to demarcate an area, say 200-500 metres long, with buoys or floats. And when you train, you can initially swim back and forth or do loops covering the distance. Once you gain confidence, you can opt for open waters, under the watchful eyes of a coach or a lifeguard.
Opt for areas where regular patrolling is done by lifeguards, who ensure people do not go beyond the area that is deemed safe. In the event of drowning, they will also be on hand to assist in rescue.
Swimming and its effect on skin
Be it the pool or the sea, swimming affects the skin, albeit differently. “If one is swimming in an open space, exposure to the sun can lead to sunburn. Salt water and chlorine water react differently with the skin. The effect of either sea and swimming pool on a person is subjective as it depends on the skin type of a person,” says Ullalmath.
Salt water is known to dry the skin, leading to flaking. Also, sea water may contain pollutants which can cause damage to the skin. One should be mindful about that while selecting the area to swim.
Takeaways
- Swimming in a pool is easier and safer compared to sea swimming.
- To make the transition to sea or open water swimming, one should learn the basics and refine the technique in the pool, gaining confidence as well.
- If you are a weak swimmer, avoid venturing into deep waters, be it the pool or the sea.
