CHENNAI: For Hemanth (24), an MSc graduate, a regular swimmer who wanted to venture into the open waters, it was fear that held him back. After waiting for nearly three years, he explored the sport at a city surfing school. “I started learning swimming at 16. I always wanted to to swim in the ocean, which seemed like a dare. But unfortunately, the city had few enthusiasts and very few avenues to explore,” he says. “I did not know the geographical aspects of navigating the seas, which I am now learning at Bay of Life, the only surfing school in Chennai that teaches ocean swimming,” he says.
Hemanth is one of the four students who are currently getting their strokes right at Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar. Speaking about ocean swimming which is just picking up in Chennai, Siddarth Chandrashekar, an ocean safety instructor, says, “Despite the city being a coastal area, many people do not venture into the sea due to fear of drowning.” This drove Siddarth to train people and to break the myth that ocean drags people in. “We wanted people to enjoy the waters, not fight back the ocean currents,” he says.
He says even beginners can venture into the sea but with proper training. The most important aspect about the ocean is that it is five times hyper-tonic than other water bodies and can dehydrate a person quickly. Hence warm ups are required before venturing into the sea.
At Bay of Life, students must attend an introductory session to understand the ocean before entering it. The lateral currents flow parallel to the beach or shore line. These currents vary in speed from rapid-flowing to subtle movements. Though they do not pose much threat, weak swimmers can be dragged into the ‘rip currents’ during heavy surf breaks.
Pointing out that rip currents are the major cause of surf accidents, Siddharth says these currents are a powerful flow of water rushing back to the ocean due to tidal waves. “Rip current stretches only 6-8 feet and then withdraws into the sea during which the swimmer has to keep track of the lateral current to reach the shore,” he explains. Showkath Jamal, founder of the surfing school, agrees and adds, “The rip currents hit the shore and go back into the sea. The gravity drags you to about 5-6 feet from the shore. Technically, you cannot drown. But when you panic, your body is pulled in and becomes stiff. You lose energy, and that’s how you die.”
According to Siddarath, Elliots Beach is dangerous, as a deep portion sits near the shoreline. “There’s also a shallow sand portion, which makes strong lateral currents and milder rip currents. Initially, we make students practice in low tides. Then slowly, we allow them to wade into high tide, as the latter keep changing every six hours. If we study the ocean well, anybody can venture into the sea,” he explains.
Safety Tips for Ocean Swimming
Never swim or surf alone
Don’t dive under large waves
If you are caught in a ‘rip’, first relax. Then start swimming towards the shore at a 45-degree angle
Swimming parallel to the shore will get you out of the rip and hopefully, you can catch a wave back to shore
Never drink while surfing or swimming. Even a hangover can decrease your chances of survival in the sea
