Experienced open water swimming coaches are observant.
In order to understand precisely what is going on in order to make reasonable decisions, good coaches listen carefully to their athletes, constantly observe their stroke count and stroke technique, and monitor their facial expressions. They understand what they mean when they use specific words and phrases.
Because not everything out in the open water is as it may seem or how it is stated.
1. Fine: This is the word marathon swimmers use when asked how they feel, no matter how they feel, how cold they are, or how far they have swum.
2. Five Minutes: This is what marathon swimmers think when they see their landing point off on a sighting…repeatedly, for hours.
3. Nothing: This is what marathon swimmers say when they don’t feel well.
4. Go Ahead: This is what marathon swimmers say to others when swimming in a group…and they feel a twinge in their shoulders or they can’t keep up the pace.
5. Loud Sigh: This is what marathon swimmers do when told their Five Minutes is actually an hour due to shifting tides.
6. That’s Okay: This is what marathon swimmers say to themselves after hearing Five Minutes is actually an hour and doing a Loud Sigh.
7. Thanks: This is what marathon swimmers say to their crew after experiencing a Five Minutes, doing a Loud Sign and saying That’s Okay.
8. Whatever: This is marathon swimmers’ way of saying, “Don’t tell me about another Five Minutes“.
9. Don’t worry, I got it: This is what marathon swimmers say to their crew when they accidentally drop their favorite cookie overboard during a feeding.
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source