While this isn’t quite what most people have in mind with a lifeguard name Emily (above) that’s because E.M.I.LY. is actually a robot lifeguard that can be deployed on beaches to aid human lifeguards.
Designed by Hydronalix, the Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard will be making the rounds this summer, where it can be used as a tool that can be deployed at 25 miles per hour – so much quicker than even the Bay Watch crew could likely swim. E.M.I.LY. works as a floatation system for those in trouble while they wait for the real life human life guards to arrive.
This week we received the Polar RCX5 Tour de France GPS heart rate monitor, the “Official Tour de France Training Computer.” The box pretty much sums up our immediate first impressions, “Yellow is Everything.” Unlike other heart rate watches this one doesn’t try to go low key – it goes straight for yellow.
When we think of BMW we don’t think of the Olympics and we certainly don’t think about swimming – in fact the only time we even think of German cars and water is that scene in Risky Business where Tom Cruise goes deep with the Porsche.
While many may take like fish to a water the truth is that water has a tendency to make it hard to breathe. But the Powerbreather is an advanced breathing system that is designed for both beginners and advanced swimmers, decreasing apprehension while allowing for greater focus in the water. This innovative snorkel works with an air intake valve on the back of the head, which offers a constant flow of fresh air – and allows the wearer to breathe naturally without turning the head. The device, which can be adjusted for almost all sized heads, is designed to keep water out while the air flows in. it probably won’t be allowed in competition, but it can let users swim like fishes the rest of the time. 
Judging from all the “rugged” cases for portable electronics we have covered, we are going to confirm (unscientifically) there’s a really big market for people who want to take their smart phones and music players into the water or any place that is electronics unfriendly. The latest such product for the iPhone 4/4S is the Keystone ECO MarineCase from Concord Keystone, a fully submersible case – up to 20 feet – that lets you shoot video, take photos, send e-mail, or perform any smart phone-related activity while under water. It also protects against other elements like dust and sand, and is IP58 certified for dustproof and waterproof.
QT2 Systems has released an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that works as a calculator to project an individual’s triathlon race performance. In turn, the app helps create personalized training ranges.
When you’re in a pool, swimming from point A to B is a no-brainer. Out in open water, however, tracking your performance and location is a bit more difficult. The new Hydro Tracker GPS from FINIS is a fitness device designed for open water swimmers that tracks, maps, and records performance.
Designer sports bag and apparel company OGIO just released its OGIO Endurance Collection. The line has bags that address the needs runners, swimmers, triathletes, cyclists, downhill mountain bikers and other athletes in endurance sports and competitions.