Sharjah: Going to the pool for a quick dip might seem like a simple enough activity. However, swimming instructors say there is more to the culture of swimming than people are aware of.
Whether it’s for leisure or exercise, swimmers in the UAE should abide by certain rules concerning safety, hygiene, and health before heading to the pool and during their swim.
Natalia Kondrat, a swimming coach at the American University of Sharjah, told Gulf News that the culture of swimming should be a part of the educational system at schools and taught to children at a young age. “Many people in the UAE come to the pool unaware of the basic guidelines like taking a quick shower before swimming and wearing suitable swimming attire,” said Kondrat
Gyms or clubs should also request a form from each registered member listing any health conditions or illnesses that they may suffer from, explained Kondrat. “This is not always the case here. However, it is a necessary process that ensures the safety of swimmers in the case of an emergency.”
Throughout her years of being a coach, Kondrat said asthma and eczema as some of the most common conditions seen among swimmers. “If someone has asthma they should swim in the first or second lane of a pool so that they can be reached easily in the case of an emergency.”
Reminding swimmers to stay hydrated, Kondrat also pointed out that keeping a bottle of water by the pool is necessary for those who swim laps. “Often people are unaware that they sweat while swimming because they are in the water, but in fact they need to re-compensate the sweat by drinking water and staying hydrated.” With temperatures soaring as high as 50 degrees Celsius during the summer months in the UAE, Kondrat pointed out the need to drink a minimum of two litres of water a day.
