Getting Ready to Swim with Dolphins

Strength and confidence in the water: Dolphins are phenomenal swimmers and you will never be able to keep up with them if they want to swim away. But if they choose to swim with you, you will want to be able to stay in the water as long as they are interested. Learn how to swim! Take lessons if you don’t know how; or practice if you do know how but are afraid, worried, or anxious in some way about swimming in the ocean. You will feel anything from discomfort to sheer terror if you go into the water unprepared. If you are near an ocean, lake, or pool, practice swimming as often as you are able. If you have never snorkeled before, practice with a snorkel, mask, and flippers. Being comfortable with your gear will give you more time and energy to focus on being with the dolphins. A great exercise for dolphin swim preparation is to sprint swim and then tread water in place with your face in the water while using the snorkel. You might be on a boat, looking for dolphins and going to the best place to find them; so if you are prone to sea-sickness, then go to a doctor and get some medication for this and practice (if possible) on a boat.

Ocean Intelligence: A very important part of your preparation is to understand and respect the ocean conditions where you’ll be swimming. Upon arrival at your swim destination, check with local authorities, lifeguards, your dolphin swim guides, or hotel information desk. Inquire about the best weather conditions for swimming, shore breaks, currents, and any thing in the water or on the shore that could hurt you, such as poisonous coral, shells or jellyfish. If there is a shore break or a rocky coast, get some tips on how to enter and exit the water. If you swim in a place with no lifeguard, let others know when you will be swimming and when to expect you back. Lastly, don’t go in alone! Even if you are an experienced swimmer, use the buddy system.