In pool swimming competitions for the long distance freestyle events, there are standard lap counters. A teammate or friend generally stands at the opposite end of the starting blocks and places plastic counters under or near the water surface so the swimmer can keep track of their laps in a race.

In the open water at the King and Queen of the Sea (Desafio Rei e Rainha do Mar) competition on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, there are also lap counters…of a different sort.

The lap counters hold up signs so the television audience and spectators can know how many laps the swimmers have completed and how many laps they have until the finish.

Friendly, attractive and conscientious, the pink-clad lap counters never lose track.

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