Why Use a Swim Buddy?
The Swim Buddy is simply a safety tool which makes swimmers much more visible in the water. This is important as swimmers can get quite spread apart and this allows our safety patrol and other boaters who are on the lake at the time a better chance to spot swimmers.
With the potential for high wind and waves, several support paddlers may need to be rescued themselves (It has happened in previous years)! When a support person goes over, the swimmer is now left vulnerable or trying to help their support person get back in their craft. Now 2 people are in the water and potentially not visible to our safety crew and other boats. Also, when a support person goes over, naturally other support people go to help them (as they should) but that now leaves other swimmers alone and more vulnerable.
In the unlikely event of a serious emergency, many support paddlers may not have the experience, or the upper body strength to hold their swimmer until a powerboat or lifeguard arrives, especially since they’re also trying to signal for help at the same time. The Swim Buddy provides enough flotation to keep a swimmer supported if they hold on to it, and it’s much easier to manage than trying to keep someone afloat using a kayak or canoe.
The Swim Buddy does not add any extra drag, and you won’t even notice it behind you.
Ultimately, we want everyone to have fun and successful swims, but swimmer safety is of utmost importance.