Once Inspired

Open water swimming is a big concern for many beginner and even some seasoned triathletes. They never really get comfortable in open water and therefore never train in open water… and therefore never get comfortable in open water. I’m sure you can see the problem here.

It is important that you get out of the pool and into some open water. There’s a lot to learn about open water swimming and most of which you can only learn though experience. Yes I can tell you what to do and how to do it, but you really need to do it yourself to get it right. It’s not swimming as you have been taught or as you have read. It’s swimming that needs to be tweaked on the day depending on the conditions and the best way to learn this is by getting into the water in all kinds of conditions and finding what works best for you. Being a fair weather open water swimmer is of no use, as pleasant and wonderful as it may be. Get someone who is experienced in open water to go with you and ask them questions as you go. Get them to help you. Their experience is worth more than what you can read.

Different conditions call for different variations in your stroke. In choppy water, shortening the front end and back end of your stroke will accommodate for the chop. Rolling over more in order to get your face slightly higher out of the water when you breathe ensures that you get less water in your mouth. Swimming using unilateral breathing away from the chop makes you more streamline. If you breathe into the chop you will be opening your chest and face up for a slap and gulp of water. If you’re swimming directly into the chop your stroke length will vary with almost every stroke you take. Mastering this take s a lot of time, take every opportunity you get. It also makes you hellish strong.

Open water is full of all kinds of things that can get in your way; weed, plastic packets, stinging creatures and biting animals. In the event of an encounter with weed and plastic packets you need to learn to keep swimming rather than start treading water in frantic fear of your life. Before a race always get into the water or know what you’re dealing with. If the water is occupied by stinging creatures smear Vaseline (Petroleum jelly) over all exposed skin. This forms a layer between stinging tentacles and your skin. It also helps for cold. Once again, try not to stop. More often than not you would have slapped the jellyfish on its head anyway.

Understanding currents and location specifics also plays a part is making your swimming journey as fast and as pleasurable as possible. If you’re swimming somewhere for the first time, consult with a local no matter how tranquil it may seem. One submerged rock or branch is all it takes.

When it comes to dealing with the violence of flailing arms and kicking legs remember that if you stop swimming it’s more than likely that you will get swum over. If you feel you need some space, get your head up and get a little pushy. Swimming in crowded waters requires a fairly high level of assertiveness. There should be no “after you” tactics, rather “back of the line buddy!”