Blue IQ
From Openwaterpedia
Ram Barkai, founder of the International Ice Swimming Association, swimming in the Southern Ocean of Antarctica
Bruckner Chase off the shores of New Jersey
Drafting off a lead swimmer at the Swim Challenge Cascais, organized by Jorge Paulo Pereira of 3 Iron Sports
noun - Blue IQ is a multi-dimensional awareness, appreciation, knowledge, understanding, passion, and support of the following:
- what to do and not to do when in, around, under and on open bodies of water due to marine life, tides, currents, waves, winds, storms or conditions of any strength or size, water temperatures, and atmospheric conditions.
- of the marine environment of Planet Earth.
- maintenance and improvement of the marine environment and its inhabitants for ourselves and future generations to enjoy.
- of what happens, what lives, what is created - either directly or indirectly by Mother Nature or humans - below, in, near, and on the water whether it is an ocean, sea, lake, river, bay, estuary, fjord, loch, or channel.
- the ability to swim, to teach others how to swim, and to be able to save another human of any age.
Contents
Usage
Beach goers should have a certain level of Blue IQ in order to be safe in, around and near the ocean.
Blue IQ Series
Blue IQ Series are online programs geared to:
- educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline
- provide instruction, inspiration, and interest in open water swimming in all its forms (including channel swimming, marathon swimming ice swimming, winter swimming, stage swimming, mass participation swims, para swimming, professional marathon races, free swimming, wild swimming, extreme swimming, excursion swimming,high-altitude swimming, polar bear swimming, and night swimming)
- explain and teach about human activities in, around, under, and near open bodies of water
Blue IQ Series Content
Participants in the Blue IQ Series will learn and discuss:
- what the sport of open water swimming is all about
- how to get involved and make your own dreams a reality, either in the open water or on dryland
- how to support one's spouse, partner, children, parents, friends, or teammates so they reach their open water swimming goals
- various forms of training in the pool, open water, and dryland
- acclimatization, adaptation, and periodization
- selection of support teams and escort crews including coaches, trainers, escort pilots, navigator, expedition leaders, escort kayakers, and paddlers
- training equipment, gear, and products of all kinds
- nutrition of all types and approaches
- mental resilience
- dealing with failure
- planning a pioneering swim
- marine life of all types
- answering the question, Why?
- media training and preparation
- building an online (social media) presence
- becoming an aquapreneur
- writing an educational, inspirational, or autobiographical book
- making a documentary film
- attracting sponsors and donors
- setting records
- proper stroke techniques in various conditions
- proper breathing techniques
- drafting and positioning tactics
- rehabilitation of and recovery from overuse injuries
- post-competition, post-crossing PTSD
- becoming a coach
- importance of voluntarism
- creating and organizing an event, expedition, or tour
- creating a safety net
- emergencies and contigencies
- use of neoprene and wetsuits
- transition to bioprene
- hidden swims
- planning and executing self-supported swims
Open Water Swimming
- Open water swimming is a sport for recreation, pleasure, fitness, and competition in oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and bays.
- It exploded in popularity with the inclusion of a 10 kilometer marathon swim at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and then again during the COVID pandemic when pools closed.
- The sport includes channel swimming, marathon swimming ice swimming, winter swimming, stage swimming, mass participation swims, para swimming, professional marathon races, free swimming, wild swimming, extreme swimming, excursion swimming,high-altitude swimming, polar bear swimming, and night swimming around the world.
Origin
Created by Bruckner Chase.
