Tips from Taylor: Odyssey Open Water Swimming Guide Shares!

We asked the Odyssey Open Water Swimming community for ideas for content during this time. Since we can’t all be in the water together, the least we can do is to keep learning and have a little fun. One of the suggestions we received was for “tips from Taylor.” Taylor Hurt is an expert guide who has escorted hundreds, if not thousands, of swimmers in the East Bay. If you’ve come out with us for a swim, you’ve likely met Taylor, had a conversation with him, and have seen his giant smile.

As you’d expect, Taylor was up for the challenge and quickly provided his tips for open water swimmers. Taylor calls these tips “stuff I’ve heard good swimmers say.”

1) Keep swimming no matter what. This was told to me by the five organ transplant recipients that had just swam the Escape From Alcatraz swim.

2) When the waves slap you, slap them back. This was told to me by this Chilean guy with around a thousand Alcatraz crossings under his belt, you know who I'm talking about...the legend, el guapo, my bubba Pedro.

 3) Cold is temporary, bragging rights are forever. Given the number of times I've been hypothermic, I can actually take credit for that one, and spoiler alert —you can get too cold so don't go too far. Know when your are too cold. Learn the symptoms.

4) Sight often and put your face back in the water quickly. If you don’t, you waste momentum by creating drag. Take quick glimpses of your target and process them while exhaling and checking your correction on the next breath. Have goggles for both overcast and sunny conditions.

5) When crossing tidal currents, aim points are very temporary so stay with your kayakers. Don't swim upstream and don't try to aim at your destination. At first, you'll simply cross the currents at 90 degrees till you're beyond half-way across and then you'll begin to turn to use them to your advantage and toward your destination.

6) Remember why you enjoy swimming. This I learned from the giggle that erupted out of an eight-year-old girl when she jumped in to begin her first Alcatraz crossing, which set a new record for the youngest person to make the swim — Anaya Khanzode.

Last but not least, I know that swimmers, like me, are chomping at the bit to get back out there, and I'd like to offer them some consolation. When we get to return to the Bay, it is going to be so warm we'll luxuriate, frolicking like otters, it'll be another party at the buoy!  We really need our GoPro back!

I look forward to seeing you on the water soon!  Stay healthy! — Taylor