My friend, Rebecca, invented the “Safety Noodle” idea last year. It’s a swim noodle that you tie around your waist while you swim in open water. It serves as a flotation device in the event the swimmer – or the swimmer’s buddy – is having trouble; and also makes the swimmer more visible to boats and jetskis.
I thought it was a really neat idea, but was never motivated enough to use it myself. Until last month, when four swimmers drowned in Lake Jordan in the same week. That was tragic, and kind of freaky.
So, I went out to the store, and picked up a swim noodle for $5. I poked a hole in one end with a screwdriver. Then I threaded a shoestring through the hole. Then I tied the other end of the shoe string to the buckle of my race belt. I made sure the shoestring was only about a foot long. I didn’t want the string to be able to tangle around my neck or legs! Lastly, I strapped the belt around my waist, moving the buckle, and string, around to my backside. Then I dove into the water to swim!
I am barely aware of the noodle at all while swimming. It is great, and I feel safer with it. Once, I swam in extra choppy water with it. A wave crashed right into my mouth while taking a breath, choking me. I was very glad to have the noodle to hang onto while recovering from that. Otherwise, I try not to use it all, because I won’t have it in my races! I don’t want it to become a crutch!
Oh, it also comes in handy to smack my swim buddies upside the head when they are slacking off. “No slackers allowed” is my motto! Just Joking! Not really! Haha!
Thanks to my twitter friend, @PositivelyLu who took the pictures of me swimming! She also has a blog, check it!
Disclaimer: Use this idea at your own risk. Swimming is dangerous! Always swim with a buddy!
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I did a similar thing when I was a lifeguard in high school. I would do laps around the swimming area between shifts and would swim with a tube (essentially just a big red noodle) dragging behind me for visibility.
If it ever bothers your stroke or gets caught up in your feet, try extending the string and have the loop just go over one shoulder, like a pageant sash.
That way it hangs just a little to the side of you, and doesn't get tangled in your feet.
Hi Carol,
I am a newbie to triathlons, and find open water swimming really challenging. Your post was wonderful, because many years ago, when I was in Sardinia, the only way I could swim in the sea was with a long length of rope attached to a swim board. Although the board was floating a long way away, it was a strong psychological help, as I knew that if I needed it, it would be there.
At the moment I am in complete meltdown with my swimming as I cannot swim outside of a pool, and have been feeling quite 'lonely' as all the other tri bloggers seem to be strong swimmers! Your post has inspired me (let me know where you'd like that coffee!) and I am thinking of giving this a go again before the summer is over.
What a great idea to use your race belt! That never occurred to me. This safety noodle gets better with each iteration. Glad it is working well for you and I am glad that you are taking measures to stay as safe as possible while open water swimming.
Carol, I bought a red rescue can for the very same reason. I'm still new to swimming and feel better with floating behind me. It was a relatively inexpensive purchase (when you consider the high costs associated with triathlon), but probably one of the best I've made yet.
I think its a great idea!! Plus it also makes you quite visible for boaters. Do you think we could get them for the manatee's in Florida?