Upper photo courtesy of Tzirú Pérez for Cruce Aguas Abiertas Golfo Dulce by Joe Bernini in Costa Rica. Lower photo courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
The inking of black markers on the back, shoulders and hands are unique sensations for an open water swimmer.
Like the smell of diesel oil from an escort boat or the sight of a rainbow over the ocean, the pre-race marking is both something unique and familiar to open water swimmers.
Even as we look elsewhere, we can often guess what is being written on our backs.
1: The quick downward stroke of the numeral one is easy to understand and feel.
2: The smooth curve of the numeral two followed by a short line is also easy to guess.
3: The dual curves of the numeral three can be felt easily felt.
4: The numeral four is more difficult to feel because it can be printed in various ways.
5: The numeral five sometimes is also sometimes difficult to guess because it can be printed in various ways.
6: The numeral six is easy to guess with its quick curving motion.
7: The numeral seven is sometimes confused with the numeral one depending on who is doing the marking.
8: The numeral eight is easy to guess with its roundness.
9: The numeral nine can be confused with the numeral four depending on who is doing the marking.
Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association