|
Swimming
in the UK is a growing activity; from
babies to pensioners about 350 million
visits to public swimming pools confirm
this.
Not forgetting the many visits to swimming
pools in hotels, gyms, health clubs, leisure
centres, theme parks, holiday parks and
of course those in private homes.
|
|
Sadly
there are still about 15 deaths by drowning
in swimming pools per year, that's 15 too
many and doesn't take into account drowning
incidents in seas, rivers, lakes, streams,
lochs, lakes, canals, reservoirs, flooded
gravel pits and other ex-industrial locations.
According to the National Water Safety Forum;
inland water sites are the most common location
for drowning in the UK. Year on year, between
55% and 66% of all deaths by drowning occur
at inland water sites.
Whether you are a competitive swimmer, leisure
swimmer or just teaching your children to
swim you may require a whole range of swimming
accessories apart from swimsuits, trunks,
hats and goggles there's nose clips and
ear plugs swim nappies, arm bands, swim
belts, back floats and pool play items for
toddlers through to adolescents, as well
as Bobins, float suits, sun-protection suits
and anti-chlorine shampoo. |
|
MC
- Speedo Male Fastskin FSII Legskin
Picture
Courtesy of
SwimStop.co.uk
|
If
you are a competition swimmer, there's
another shopping list with male and female
competition swimwear from Speedo, Tyr
and Maru including Speedo Fastskins, Tyr
Fusion and Maru EXS.
For
training there is a selection of endurance
swimwear, kickboards and pull buoys, training
fins and paddles, water bottles and towels,
swim bags and backpacks.
The
Speedo Fastskin FS11 pictured left
is the fastest swimsuit in the worldincreases
speed by reducing passive drag by up to
4% more than the next best suit and is
set to help swimmers blow the competition
out of the water in Athens this summer.
|
Also
the remarkably affordable TYR
Fusion 2 technology, with some of the most
advanced aquatic engineering to ever enter a
pool. First, they took existing and proven,
patented technologies like Turbulence Control
and TYR's unique water repellent coating in
order to reduce drag. Then they married it to
their tried and true innovations such as Fabrication
Logic and Fluid Channel Dynamics for superior
flow. Add in their unique, calenderized Isolated
Compression technology for more glide efficiency,
and less drag, and you have the new TYR Fusion
2. It's what happens when the past and the future
meet!
|
In
order to become a competition swimmer,
hard training is essential and qualified
instructors are a must. They will advise
you on the correct swimwear and safety
swimming accessories.
Whether
you are a non-swimmer or a good swimmer
wanting to get better, proper swimswear
is essential.
|
|
It
seems that official records for last year (2004)
are not yet available and the latest UK drowning
statistics are for 2002. These are published
by RoSPA but are apparently consistent year
on year. The total number of drowning not including
suspicious deaths was 427, the bulk occurred
through alcohol and falling in as opposed to
swimming accidents.
Pictured
right is the 'water
woggle' made of non-absorbent extruded polyethylene
foam, woggles are ideal for assisting learners
to swim, fun in the pool and for fitness exercises.
|
Picture
Courtesy of
Weston
Williamson
|
River
beaches will soon appear in land-locked
areas of Britain too. Parts of the river
Thames and Irwell may soon be transformed
into waterfront developments.
|
Plans
for a beach on the South Bank by the River Thames
have been given planning permission by Lambeth
Council and a production company is planning
to convert an area on Queen's Walk into a beach
by day and a cinema by night for July and August,
but a five week delay may force the company
to look at whether it is still possible to produce
the event.
|
|
