6/14 Learn to Love OW Swimming

Are you nervous or afraid to swim in the ocean? Do waves scare you? Learn to Love Ocean Swimming is designed especially for you! 

Seasoned CIBBOWS experts provide a supportive environment to help you build confidence at your own pace. The clinic starts with a safety briefing on the beach where swimmers learn best practices for ocean swimming, how to orient themselves while in the water, and strategies to work with their fears should they arise so they can stay safe. The class then moves to the water to walk through the basic elements of the ocean environment, entering and exiting the water, swimming short distances from the shore in a group, treading water together, using floating techniques, and having fun in the water. 

Requirements: No previous open water swim experience necessary but participants must know how to swim about 200 yards without stopping, float on their backs without assistance, and tread water comfortably. 

Please be sure to hydrate beforehand, bring extra water, and plenty of sunscreen and read our essentials page before attending. This hour-long class includes both beach and water instruction. 

On the beach:

• Introduction to CIBBOWS and ocean swimming 
• Orientation to the beach, identifying landmarks, jetties, lifeguards, flags
• Discussion of ocean water swimming equipment and how to avoid chafing, sunburn, hydration, cramps etc.
• Acknowledging fear and talking about how to navigate anxiety when in the water
• Reviewing best practice tips for staying emotionally safe in the water

In the water:

• Understanding basic physics of how we interact with the water environment
• Practicing water entry and exit
• Learning how to check the current
• Trying out safety strokes e.g. elementary backstroke
• Floating in the ocean to rest and stabilize our minds 
• Exploring how to swim in a group
• Testing out sighting while swimming
• Reclaiming how to have fun in the water

Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. We will swim rain or shine, but we do not swim in thunderstorm conditions. Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Registered Attendees