The SwimRun tether is the link that connects the 2 pairs in the water and on land . In SwimRun, you must not be separated. This is why the use of a tether is very important to respect the regulations during the swimming segments.

The tether also allows you to help each other , in fact when one partner has a better swimming level than the other, the tether allows you to pull the slower pair. The tether allows you to transmit energy , and this is a real advantage .

The lanyard is also a safety feature . It allows you to tow but also to be towed if you find yourself in difficulty in the water.

What is the correct length of lunge line?

The length of the line depends on the size of each member of the pair .

The lanyard attaches to the swimrunners' belt. In order to calculate the ideal length of your lanyard, you must take into account:

1. the distance between the waist and the feet of the first swimmer ;
2. the distance between the waist and the fingertips of the second swimmer's arms extended upwards;
3. add a delta of 40 to 50cm to predict the height of the waves you might face during the event.

The elasticity of the loin.

Depending on the event, you can opt for a completely rigid lanyard if you are swimming segments without waves, in a lake for example. This requires good knowledge of the pair, because the rigid lanyard does not give any room for maneuver. Therefore, prefer completely elastic lanyards of 4 to 5 mm in diameter. There are also lanyards with a larger diameter. They will be less elastic, and can create inconveniences when running.

The disadvantages of the lunge.

When you are in the second swimmer position, you will find the tether on the side of your face or under your chin. If you are worried that it will hinder your progress or your swimming, you will realize after a few training sessions that this is not the case. During the land segments , where you will be running, be careful that the towing partner is not over-revving . The act of towing may seem harmless, but over the kilometers the effort will be felt and can penalize your end of the race .
The lanyard can also be problematic on steep terrain. The first pair can jump over a rock while the second pair tries to get their footing; if the lanyard is too short, you're sure to fall. Plan to communicate well on technical terrain , even if it means unroping yourself during these passages to gain efficiency. You need to practice with the lanyard before your first outings in order to get used to it, especially for entering and exiting the water. This is very easy to take into consideration. To get used to it, remember to prepare your training bag well by including the lanyard and do 2 or 3 training sessions with the lanyard if you have never used one.