In the case of the professional marathon swimmers at the Traversée Internationale du lac Memphrémagog, the athletes take to their iPhones, Android devices, and Blackberry phones.

Only minutes before the athletes were about to do their sprint race, the rain came pouring down and lightening struck.

FINA Delegate Daniel Leduc and Daniel Poirier immediately postponed the race and the standard 30-minute waiting period began.

Laughter and texting began in earnest as jackets and rain gear were put on.

Copyright © 2013 by World Open Water Swimming Association