Boating and Open Water Swimming

It’s a beautiful day, the water is fine, and the waves are gently splashing on the shore. If this puts you in the mood to go out on the river, the lake, or the wide-open sea for some fun and exercise, you’ve come to the right place. Check out these tips to help you enjoy paddling or rowing, surfing, swimming, or other open water sports, no matter your level of vision. To get started, here are a few basics to keep in mind.

First, for any open water sport, going with a buddy or a guide is always a good idea. If you don’t yet have a water-loving friend who wants to join in, look into local clubs and organizations. There are many sporting groups that help people who are visually impaired including rowing or surfing clubs, open water swim teams, and more. They can offer guides and helpful techniques, and they can tell you about safety needs and rules. Check out the Resource section for more information.

A guide can also help by giving cues and directions such as when to turn, what to watch out for, and what to do in an emergency whether you’re on the beach, on the dock, or in the water. And they can tell you about the scenery and when to expect waves or rough water. Before you head out, be sure to work with your guide to plan the signals you’ll use together.

If you have hearing loss or if you wear hearing aids that need to be removed around water, keep in mind that sound can be an important safety cue during water sports. A waterproof two-way radio can be helpful if you want to hear your guide’s voice more clearly or keep in touch with someone in another boat.

Depending on your needs, you might choose a sport where you can stay close to your buddy or guide. And remember that some activities, like canoeing and tandem kayaking, make it hard to communicate face-to-face.

If you’re bringing electronics that aren’t waterproof, like a talking watch or a phone, be sure to keep them safe in a waterproof box or bag. There are even pouches that let you use your phone through the protective cover.

Ask your guide to wear a brightly colored vest and hat to make it easy for you to locate and follow them whether you’re on a boat or in the water. And you can wear brightly colored clothing yourself such as a swim cap in the water and a bright life vest for above-the-water activity to help people spot you easily, too.

In fact, using brightly colored equipment is always a good idea for open water sports. That way, people in faster-moving boats can see you and keep safely away. You can find flags that attach to kayaks and canoes, and swimming floats and buoys for open water swimming.

Another great piece of safety equipment is a whistle. You can attach it to your life vest and use it to warn others in an emergency and to send signals to your buddy or guide. The sound carries much farther, and it takes less energy – than shouting.

Now before you head out on the water, it’s always a good idea to check in with another person to tell them when and where you’re going and when to expect you back. Once you return safely, check in again to let them know.

It's always best to wear protective sun gear when you’re at the beach or on the water. A wide-brimmed hat shields you from the overhead sun, and sunglasses cut down on glare. If you’re swimming or surfing, tinted swimming goggles can do the same.

If you’re using a dock to get into the water, know where the edges are as well as any ladders. Some docks have posts with rope railings along the sides which provides a helpful guide. You can gently run your hand along the rope as you walk. And tying a bright yellow or orange rope from post to post can make it easier to see.

Some docks have cleats or rails attached to the surface which can create a tripping hazard. Using a white cane or walking with a guide can help you navigate more safely and confidently.

Now let’s take a look at those paddle sports. If you’re out for a day of kayaking, canoeing, rowing, or paddleboarding, it’s a great idea to get to know your equipment before heading out on the water.

For any paddle sport, you can use a short leash to connect your paddle to your life vest, so it doesn’t get lost if it’s dropped.

Many kayak paddles have curved blades with a top and bottom edge. To make sure you’re holding the paddle right side up, here’s an easy way to create a tactile label: Before getting in the water, hold the paddle in the correct position, and place a drinking straw where one hand grips the paddle shaft so the straw fits in the fold between your palm and your fingers. Then use duct tape and tape the straw to the shaft. When you’re in the water, just be sure to grip the marked side with the same hand each time.

If your paddleboard paddle has a curved blade, you can tape down a short piece of a straw to mark the back side of the grip. When you switch the paddle from side to side, it’ll be easy to know you’re holding it right every time.

In calm water, you can tether your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to your guide’s boat to stay connected and follow easily. But ropes and tethers aren’t recommended in fast water such as ocean waves or a rushing river. If someone falls out of their boat, they could get tangled.

Rowing and sculling are also great sports, even with lower vision. In fact, experienced rowers sometimes practice with their eyes closed to focus on the feel and the sound of their strokes. In many places, you can join a team to row with others. Or you can row with a coach who calls directions from another boat nearby. Check out the Resource section for more information.

With any open water sport, it’s important to know how you’ll get back to the shore, especially in an emergency. Listen for sounds that tell you where the beach or dock is such as people talking, dogs barking, or music. If you can see shapes and outlines, look for trees, flags, lights, or buildings.

And plan your route ahead of time by looking for certain landmarks such as paddling out to the bridge and back or watching for buildings you recognize near the beach.

Using a beep box on land can also help you stay oriented and near the shore. And some GPS apps let you create a beacon that helps you find your way back to the starting point. Check out the Resource section to learn more.

You can also use a compass with an audio readout or a talking GPS to help with wayfinding. The Resource section has information on where to find these handy devices.

If you’re out for a day of open-water swimming, one technique for keeping close to your buddy is to stay connected with a tether. You can find specially designed tethers that have a quick-release belt for safety, or you can connect a short rope or tube to swimming paddles.

You can also connect to a swimming float or buoy that makes it easy to spot you in the water. The buoy is also handy to hold on to when you want to rest. And some provide a waterproof place to store things, like your keys and wallet.

Water shoes are also a great idea to protect your feet from rocks or sharp objects that might be hard to see underwater. They make it even easier to wade into the water comfortably, and to make your way back to the beach after a successful day of exercise and fun.

As always, if you've got your own tips to share, or you need more information, contact a Hadley learning expert. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience, and practice, and you'll get there.