How To Select And Train Your Marathon Swim Support Crew
Marathon swimming on its face looks like an individual sport but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The success or failure of a swim is high dependent on the support crew that the swimmer puts together and trains. A swim has the best chance for success when a qualified crew is selected and the swimmer trains their crew to meet their needs to help the swimmer be successful. The support crew plays a pivotal role in a swimmer's success, so it's essential to choose and train them carefully. This article will explain attributes that a swimmer should look for when selecting a crew and some thoughts on how to properly train them to make your day a success!
Selecting the Crew
The first step in selecting a crew for a marathon swim is identifying the roles needed to support the swimmer. The crew size is highly dependent on the distance and logistics of the swim itself but at a minimum you will need a Crew Chief and a feeder. Some other roles you might consider are support swimmers, kayakers, pilots and observers. Observers are generally provided by the organization sanctioning the swim. Once the roles are identified, it's important to consider the following when selecting crew members. This is not an exhaustive list, but are some of the most important aspects to consider.
Experience: It's best to select crew members who have experience in open water swimming and are familiar with the unique challenges of marathon swimming. Having a crew who has crewed before will make setting expectations and training them for your needs much easier as well.
Compatibility: The crew should be compatible with the swimmer's personality and communication style to work effectively as a team. On the day of the swim, you will want to have clear communication and a positive energy. If you do not gel with your crew, this can lead to significant energy loss and focus being taken away from the task at hand as you argue with your crew.
Availability: The crew members should be available to train with the swimmer and be able to commit to the swim date. Only select crew who are 100% committed to being there the day of your big swim.
Fitness Level: While your crew might not be doing the swim, they may be put into some very rough conditions for long hours. Depending on the swim, your crew may be spending 15+ hours on a boat that could be in some gnarly swell. This will take a toll on them so it is important to understand if they are capable of handling these conditions and also knowing if they get sea sick. A violently ill support crew member could lead to your swim ended early if the captain believes they need medical attention. This swim will be physically and mentally demanding for all involved, so make sure your crew understands this and is ready for the challenge. If they are not, it could put the success of your attempt at risk.
Training the Crew
Once the crew members are selected, it's essential to train them to support you effectively. As the swimmer, you are the leader of this swim and it is your job to make sure everyone knows their roles and expectations of those roles. It is not a democracy, it is informing them clearly of your needs and how they can provide that to you most effectively. Here are some tips for training the crew:
Define Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define each crew member's role and responsibility before the swim. This ensures everyone knows what's expected of them during the swim.
Practice Communication: Communication is critical during the swim. Practice communication techniques, so the crew can effectively communicate with one another. This includes how they communicate with you, one another, the captain and the observers.
Conduct Practice Swims: Conduct practice swims to simulate the conditions you will all face. This helps the crew understand how to support the you and identify any potential issues. The goal here is to have things being second nature so there are no surprises the day of your big swim.
Prepare for Emergencies: Develop a plan for emergencies and practice executing it with the crew. This ensures the crew is prepared to handle any situation that may arise during the swim. Some things to consider in your plan are how to deal with injuries during the swim or on the boat, hypothermia, sea sickness and any other possible emergencies that could occur based on your swim.
Build Endurance: Crew members should also train physically to build endurance for the swim. Crew members need to be in good physical shape to provide effective support throughout the swim. This does not just go for support swimmers and kayakers. Your crew may be subject to cramped conditions, very little sleep, rough seas and poor weather. Make sure they know what they are in for and are doing what is necessary to prepare for some potentially arduous conditions while support your swim.
Selecting and training a crew is pivotal for your success as a marathon swimmer. No one does this sport alone and you are only successful if you have selected a strong crew who are trained well. By selecting and training a crew carefully, you will be set up for success in your marathon swims.