How Open Water Swimmers Can Learn From Nature

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California. November 20. BIOMIMETRICS is a term for taking product design ideas from nature. As scientists, researchers, doctors and engineers are exploring nature to gain an understanding of how novel materials, products and compounds can be designed and developed.

Velcro, waterproof glue and turbine blades are just a small sampling of what has been inspired by nature. The possibilities are also applicable to the open water swimming world.

While the triathlon community and its coaches and researchers have determined that drafting directly behind the feet is the optimal way to draft in the open water, Open Water Source coaches are looking at nature for hints as to the best strategy for moving in the open water. Specifically, they look at the flocking behavior of birds, the positioning of fish in a school and the way dolphins swim alongside a boat for inspiration on how humans can best draft and race in the open water.

Based on their preliminary studies, they believe that drafting between the hips and feet is optimal during many competitive situations.

The aim of these coaches is to study the natural processes as a starting point, gain insights, adapt where possible with humans so their athletes' performance.

Another possible application of biomimetrics for open water swimmers is sunscreen for skin protection. The skin of hippopotamus secretes a natural sunscreen substance which is red-colored, sometimes referred to as blood sweat, but is neither blood nor sweat. This secretion is initially colorless and turns red-orange within minutes, eventually becoming brown. Two distinct pigments have been identified in the secretions, one red (hipposudoric acid) and one orange (norhipposudoric acid). The two pigments are highly acidic compounds whose light absorption peaks in the ultraviolet range, creating a sunscreen effect.

Courtesy of Open Water Source

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x