Massachusetts officials showed off their backstroke on Wednesday, as they repealed the open-water swimming ban at Walden Pond after hearing from frustrated swimmers over the past five days.

The state said it’s rescinding the ban and implementing new guidance at the Concord swimming spot in the wake of a series of drownings across the Bay State.

“Following a thorough review of safety protocols, beginning on Friday, July 9, 2021, the Department of Conservation and Recreation will open Walden Pond to open water swimming with enhanced safety measures,” DCR said in a statement.

“As part of this revised policy, DCR is issuing updated Open Water Swim Rules & Best Practices for Walden Pond, including modifications to ensure that open water swimming is available to experienced swimmers while prioritizing safety for swimmers, lifeguards, and visitors to the waterfront,” the agency added.

DCR’s announcement on repealing the ban came after dozens of legislators on Wednesday sent a letter to the DCR commissioner, asking that the ban get “lifted very soon.” The 50 legislators also sent the letter to Gov. Charlie Baker.

“As a substitute for the ban, we call on DCR and the Baker Administration to take additional steps to improve water safety and prevent further tragic drownings in Massachusetts,” the lawmakers wrote.

“We urge you to require all open water swimmers at Walden (and elsewhere) to use appropriate safety gear, such as flotation devices or swim buoys, which most swimmers at Walden already use,” they added.

All open-water swimmers must use a brightly colored open-water swim buoy, DCR said in its new guidance Wednesday.

Also, open-water swimming will only be allowed during park hours before and after lifeguard shifts “to ensure that DCR lifeguards can focus exclusively on the safety of visitors in the designated swimming area,” DCR said.

“Open water swimming is an inherently dangerous activity, and should not be attempted by individuals who have not trained or prepared for the activity,” the DCR said. “Swimmers assume full risk and responsibility while engaging in this activity, and are advised to use extreme caution when swimming, always adhere to safety protocols, and use best practices to prevent potentially tragic outcomes.”

The ban that went into effect last Friday immediately led to outrage among the open-water swimming community. The swimming enthusiasts wrote letters to the state, and more than 10,000 signed an online petition to amend the ban.

The open-water ban came last week as Baker filed a bill to increase fines for swimming outside designated waterfronts.

“Learning how to swim should be a critical life skill available to everyone,” the legislators wrote in their letter. “Rather than pursuing swimming bans or draconian fines, we urge DCR and the Baker Administration to immediately expand efforts statewide that will improve water safety and help prevent future tragic drownings.”