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10km - 10K - 10 kilometer
6.2 miles or 10 kilometers, the standard distance of the Olympic marathon swim. The swimmers will swim four loops in the rowing basin during the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim. (noun)

Abandonment
Abandonment

Acclimate
Acclimate

Acclimatization
Acclimatization

Beach Finish
Beach Finish

Beaufort Wind Force Scale
Beaufort Wind Force Scale

Beeline
Beeline

Boxed-in
Boxed-in

Breakaway
Breakaway

Breakers
Breakers

Call Room
Call Room

Celcius or Centigrade
Celcius or Centigrade

Chafing
To irritate or cause irritation due to repeated rubbing of skin against swim suits or other items, including other body parts, due to the swimming stroke, waves, especially around swim suit straps, armpits, shoulders, upper thighs, neck and chin. (noun)

Chop
Wave action at the surface of the water caused by wind. Small, frequent waves that are irritating to open water swimmers because they impede forward movement and can reduce visibility from the surface of the water. (noun)

Core Body Temperature
The operating temperature of a swimmer, specifically in the deep structures of the body such as the liver, in comparison to the temperature of peripheral tissues. This optimum temperature is 36.8°C (98.2°F) through it varies regularly as controlled by one's circadian rhythms. Temperature examination in the rectum is the traditional standard measurement used to estimate core temperature.

Corrected Course
The most direct course to the next turn buoy accounting for drift due to actual or anticipated currents, wind and wave action.

Course
A direction or route taken by a swimmer. The path over which a race is run. The location in which a race is conducted.

Current
A portion of a large body of water moving in a certain direction. A steady forward movement of water; the flow of a body of water, regardless of cause. (noun)

Cut Buoy
In the case of a swimmer who did not properly round a required turn buoy, a violation of the rule that requires the swimmer to return and correctly round the turn mark. (noun)

Dock
A fixed pier or floating platform where open water swimmers can either start or finish races or that serve as feeding stations or locations where supporters can cheer. (noun)

Drafting
To swim close behind another swimmer (or swimmers) in order to take advantage of their slipstream, especially in a race. (verb)

Ear Plugs
A device inserted in the ear canal to protect from the intrusion of water or foreign bodies. Often made of wax or silicon and can help decrease the middle and inner ear exposure to cold and thus lessen the uncomfortable feeling, including vertigo, that may come with exposure to cold water conditions.

Escort Boat
A boat or similar watercraft that accompanies or leads a swimmer for protection and/or guidance in the open bodies of water. (noun)

Escort
A person or group of persons in a boat, kayak, JetSki or on a paddleboard or surfboard accompanying or leading a swimmer for protection and/or guidance in the open bodies of water. (noun)

Escort
To guide, protect or lead a swimmer in a boat, kayak, JetSki or on a paddleboard while swimming in the open water. (verb)

Eyes and Ears
Offering of navigational advice to swimmers in the water when they cannot see the course or their competition. (noun)

Fahrenheit
A temperature scale that registers the freezing point of water as 32° and the boiling point as 212° at one atmosphere of pressure, often abbreviated to F when written. (noun)

Feeding Pole or Feeding Stick
A long slender mechanical implement with a cup or bottle holder at the end in which to hand fuel (e.g., gel packs, food) or hydration (e.g., water, sport drink, tea) to a swimmer during a race. (noun)

Feeding Pontoon
A boat or other temporary or fixed floating structure used by coaches to provide fuel (i.e., food) or hydration (i.e., drink) to swimmers in a race. (noun)

Feeding Stick or Feeding Pole
A long slender mechanical implement with a cup or bottle holder at the end in which to hand fuel (e.g., gel packs, food) or hydration (e.g., water, sport drink, tea) to a swimmer during a race. (noun)

Feeding
The process of eating or drinking or being given nourishment during a race. (noun)

FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup
A year-round global series of professional marathon swims organized by FINA, 10 kilometers in distance, held in countries such as Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Mexico. Many of the races are in loop courses that allow for spectators to see the athletes battling with each other throughout the race.

FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix
A year-round global series of professional marathon swims organized by FINA, ranging from 15 to 88 kilometers in length, held in countries such as Argentina, Italy, Serbia, Macedonia, Canada and Mexico. (noun)

FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee
A FINA committee (acronym: TOWSC) that sets and implements the rules and policies of open water swimming and organizes the FINA 10K Marathon Swimming World Cup and the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix; have supported the International Olympic Committee to add marathon swimming to the Olympic schedule.

FINA
(an acronym for Fédération Internationale de Natation Amateur) The international governing body of swimming, water polo, diving, synchronized swimming and open water swimming, recognized by the International Olympic Committee for administering international aquatic competitions. It was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. (noun)

Finish Shoot
A series of lane lines, buoys or other such markings that indicate the finish area and help direct the swimmers to the final finish line or touch pads. (noun)

Fluid
Liquid nourishment that provides hydration during an open water race. Popular examples are Gatorade and water. (noun)

Four-wide
Four (4) swimmers swimming side-by-side during a race. (noun)

Fuel
Solid food or nourishment that provides energy source during an open water race. Examples are bananas and chocolate and gel packs like CarbBoom, Clif Shot, GU and PowerGel. (noun)

Gel Pack
Small, easy-to-use, individual squeeze packages that contain simple and complex carbohydrates, antioxidants and animo acids in order to provide an energy boost during a race. Single-serving pouches are sold in a variety of sizes, shapes and flavors, and can be easily digested while swimming. (noun)

GPS
(acronym for Global Positioning System) A global system of U.S. navigational satellites developed to provide precise positional and velocity data and global time synchronization for air, sea, and land travel.

Gulp and Go
the third rule of feeding when an open water swimmer quickly consumes fuel (e.g., gel pack) or hydration (e.g., water) received from his/her coach on the feeding pontoon, then immediately begin to swim again after the momentary feeding stop.

Hydration
Water, Gatorade, flat Coca-Cola or Mountain Dew, fortified water drinks, tea and other liquids to restore or maintain fluid balance during an open water race. (noun)

Hyperthermia
An abnormally high body temperature, usually resulting from warm water, warm temperatures, bright skies and/or humidity, during open water races, especially common during intense competitions or complicated due to dehydration. (noun)

Hypothermia
An abnormally low body temperature, often caused by prolonged exposure to cold water during open water races, especially when combined with chilly winds, pronounced fatigue for swimmers with a low body fat percentage.

Impede
To obstruct, interfere or retard in movement or progress by means of cutting off, swimming into, blocking or pulling on legs, ankles, arms or shoulders of other swimmers during a race. (verb)

In-water Finish
A finish that is in the water and do not require the swimmers to exit from the body of water where the race is held. (noun)

In-water Start
A start that begins in the water and does not require swimmers to dive in from a starting pontoon or run in the water from a beach, pier or shoreline to start. (noun)

Intermediate Buoy
Buoys placed between required turn buoys or markers that may be passed on either side without penalty. (noun)

International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame
An affiliate organization to the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), established in 1961 to recognize the marathon swimmers throughout the world and governed by an international selection committee of marathon swimming experts. It recognizes not only the world's most successful swimmers in competitive races, but also individuals for their solo swim exploits around the world. (noun)

Knot
A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile or about 1.15 statute miles per hour. (noun)

Landmark
Large, visible or stationary objects that are easy to see with a quick sighting from the perspective of the swimmer in an open water race; includes buildings, light poles on piers or anchored boats visible from the distance. (noun)

Lanolin
A greasy, fatty substance, insoluble in water, that is extracted from wool-bearing animals used to coat the skin of swimmers, especially to friction points (e.g., underarms, inside thighs, chin and neck) in order to prevent chafing or help reduce the impact of cold water. (noun)

Lap
One complete round, length or circuit around a race course. (noun)

Lead Boat
A boat or similar watercraft that leads a swimmer or the lead pack of swimmers on a race course. (noun)

Lead Pack
The fastest or first group of swimmers in a race, all closely swimming together. (noun)

Leading the Pack
To swim ahead of a group of swimmers in an open water race. (verb)

Left (or Right) Shoulder Turn
A term used by race officials to describe the required turn direction when passing a turn buoy. A left shoulder turn means that the turn buoys must be kept on the left-side of the swimmer. (noun)

Line of Sight
An unobstructed path from the swimmer's eye to a distant point such as the turn buoys or finish line. (noun)

Long-distance Swimming
Swimming in natural or man-made bodies of water such as oceans, bays, lakes, reservoirs, rowing basins and rivers; generally understood to be at least 3 kilometers in distance. (noun)

Loop
One complete round, length or circuit around a race course, especially one that is circular in shape. (noun)

Make a Break
To speed up or increase the pace in order to create separation from the competition. (verb)

Make a Move
To catch up to or swim into position ahead of one's competitors. (verb)

Marathon Swimming
Swimming a minimum of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in the large outdoor bodies of water such as oceans, bays, lakes, reservoirs, rowing basins and rivers, as defined by FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation Amateur), or a minimum of 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) as defined by the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

Marking
Numbers that are written in black in on the shoulders, shoulder blades and wrists of the swimmers for identification purposes. These numbers are used to monitor the swimmer's progress, announce the swimmer's position to the crowd and media, and to inform swimmers who commit rule infractions during the race. (noun)

Miss a Feeding
To drop a cup or bottle with hydration/fuel due to jostling in a crowd around the feeding station or to not get close enough to the feeding station to receive fuel (e.g. gel pack) or hydration (e.g., Gatorade). (verb)

Mixed Zone
An area near the finish line where media representatives, photographers and team officials can interview and photograph swimmers after the race. (noun)

Navigation
The art or science of plotting, ascertaining or directing the course of a swimmer in a open water race. (noun)

Navigational IQ
The innate ability for a swimmer to swim the straightest and fastest path in an open water race course. (noun)

Off Course
Not swimming in the right (or fastest or straightest) direction in an open water race. (adjective)

On Course
Swimming in the correct (or fastest or straightest) direction in an open water race. (adjective)

Open Water Swimming
Swimming in natural or man-made bodies of water such as oceans, bays, lakes, reservoirs, rowing basins and rivers; generally understood to be longer than 1 kilometer in distance. (noun)

Positioning
A place or location, often strategic and intentional, but occasionally unintentional or accidental, where a swimmer finds him/herself during an open water race. (noun)

Rabbit
A swimmer whose goal is chiefly to set a fast pace, either to set a record or to exhaust a specific competitor so that a teammate can win. (noun)

Race Numbers
Number that is prominently written in semi-permanent black ink or with temporary tattos on the upper arms, shoulder blades and wrists of the swimmer for identification purposes. These numbers are used to monitor the swimmer's progress, announce the swimmer's position to the crowd and media and inform swimmers who are committing rule infractions during the race. (noun)

Reach and Roll
The second rule of feeding when the swimmer extends his/her hand to grab fuel (e.g., gel pack) or hydration (e.g., water) from his/her coach on the feeding pontoon, then turns over on his/her back to consumer the fuel or hydration. (noun)

Ready Room
A designated indoor or outdoor area or room where the swimmers gather before the race, often to listen to pre-race instructions from race officials or to store their personal gear before the race. (noun)

Red Card
A red-colored penalty card that indicates the immediate disqualification of a swimmer due to unsportsmanlike conduct or a serious infraction of the rules during an open water race. (noun)

Red-carded
To be disqualified by a referee during an open water race. (verb)

Referee
The designated individuals who judge open water races based on the established rules set by FINA or the race director. Referees can be located at the start, turns, finishes and/or on escort boats along the course. (noun)

Rough Water Swimming
Swimming in outdoor bodies of water such as oceans, bays, lakes, reservoirs, rowing basins and rivers. (noun)

Sea Life
Living organisms found in the ocean and other bodies of water that open water swimmers may encounter during training sessions or races.

Seek and Spot
The first rule of feeding when the swimmer heads toward the feeding pontoon and identifies his/her coach standing on the pontoon. (noun)

Sighting
The act of seeing in the open water races, generally towards landmarks, turn buoys, escort boats or the finish. Lifting the head to look ahead in order to decide the optimal direction to be swimming in an open water race; a view of the race course. (noun)

Slip Streaming or Drafting Vessels
Intentionally taking advantage of the wake of escort boats or officiating watercraft on the course; rules prohibit this action by swimmers. (adjective)

Solo Swim
An individual swim that is not part of an official race. (noun)

Split Time
A time for a set distance within a race. (noun)

Starting Platform
A dock, pier or other floating structure where the swimmers stand to start an open water race; each swimmer is given about 60 centimeters or space on the starting platform. (noun)

Starting Pontoon
A dock or floating structure where the swimmers stand to start an open water race; each swimmer is given about 60 centimeters or space on the starting platform. (noun)

Strung Out
To become separated from one another during an open water race, especially in the later stages of the race after the swimmers have been swimming together in a pack. (adjective)

Surface Chop
Wave action at the surface of the water caused by wind. Small, frequent waves that are irritating to open water swimmers because they impede forward movement and can reduce visibility from the surface of the water. (noun)

Swell
A long wave or series of waves in the ocean that move continuously without breaking. (noun)

Three-wide
Three (3) swimmers swimming side-by-side during a race. (noun)

Toss and Turn
The fourth rule of feeding when the swimmer quickly discards the fuel (e.g., gel pack) or hydration (e.g., water cup or bottle) received from his/her coach and immediately turns over on his/her stomach to begin swimming after a momentary feeding stop. (noun)

Touch Pad
Finish plates placed vertically (i.e., perpendicular to the surface of the water) at the end of open water races that identify the race finish and can be electronically tied to the official timing system. (noun)

Transponder
Light, waterproof timing devices with GPS capabilities that are worn on both wrists of swimmers at FINA-sanctioned races. (noun)

Turn Buoy
A distinctively marked colored float in the water, anchored to mark the course for swimmers. (noun)

Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Inappropriate or unprofessional acts committed by swimmers during an open water race that can lead to a warning or disqualification by the referee or that are not in the spirit of the competition. These acts can include obstruction, interference or making intentional contact with another swimmer that can lead to a warning or disqualification by the lead referee, whether made by the swimmer or the swimmer's escort boat or crew. (noun)

Vaseline
A well-known trademark used for a brand of petroleum jelly that is used to coat the skin of swimmers, especially to friction points (e.g., underarms, inside thighs, chin and neck) in order to prevent chafing. (noun)

Veer Off Course
To swim off of the optimal path during an open water race. (adjective)

Wake
The track of waves left by an escort boat, JetSki or other watercraft moving through the water or across the path of swimmers in an open water race or solo swim. (noun)

Whiteboard
A smooth, glossy sheet of white plastic that can be written on with a colored pen or erasable marker in the manner of a blackboard. The board is used by coaches or referees to provide instructions to swimmers during an open water race. (noun)

Whitecaps
Small ocean surface waves that break offshore due to the wind. These are irritating to open water swimmers because they tend to impede forward progress and reduce visibility. (noun)

Yellow Card
A yellow-colored penalty card that indicates an official warning to a swimmer due to unsportsmanlike conduct or an infraction of the rules during an open water race. (noun)

Yellow-carded
To be warned by a referee during an open water race. (adjective)