Hand Signals (Kayak-to-swimmer)

Go ahead (i.e. don’t follow me)

Follow me (i.e. resume; I’m back)

Increase stroke rate

Decrease stroke rate

Everything going well

Feeding time: bottle out, uncapped but covered

Point: paddler wants swimmer to look at something (e.g. buoy, finish gate, etc.)

Tap left/right shoulder: take buoy on left/right shoulder

Feeding

• Want approximately 600 – 750 kcal/hour in a volume of 1 kcal/mL
• Can deliver as 250 mL every 20 minutes or 200 mL every 15 minutes
• For long swims paddler needs a segregated food supply
• Keep bottles in mesh bag a clip on the draw string to the bottom of the bag (see below)
• Keep used feeds (empty bottles) in a separate mesh bag
• Notify swimmer of last (projected) feeding à reminder to flex calves

Extra Equipment

Always bring:

• 2 x goggles
• 2 x cap
• Vaseline and gloves to apply to neck/upper chest, armpits
• Flip-flops
• Gloves for paddler and appropriate clothing for paddler

Make sure paddler knows where to look for swimmer at start of race.  For example, if multiple swimmers coming off beach to first buoy before going parallel to shore, best place for kayaker is place where field is narrowest (see below).

Check List

1. Conditions

2. Course:  How to meet at start (see above)?  How to go around turns?  Review hand signals

3. Safety Issues (medical issues)

4. Cold/Fatigue Profile: what are swimmer’s signs?

5. Emergency Plan: swimmer to hang on bow (front) of kayak); wave paddle in air à blow whistle

6. Rules of Swim

7. Station Keeping: Swimmer sets pace; Kayaker sets direction; Kayaker needs to know preferred breathing side of swimmer

8. Review Equipment (see above for extra equipment)

9. Review Feeding Schedule (see above)

10. Goals of Swim and Strategy