I am a triathlete who swims, not fast. Recently I experienced more than a few times that slower pool swimmers than me were passing me in OW practices (all including myself wearing wetsuit). I swim relatively straight, though I may tend to lift my head too much for sighting. Anyway they are obviously getting a larger benefit of wearing a wetsuit. Since most of the tri races around here allow you to wear a wetsuit, what matters is the speed with one. Does this tell you what I need to work on?? I know my body position improved during the last few years (of course still lots to learn) - I don't feel a huge difference in my lower body position with a wetsuit on as I used to. So I thought my stroke particually catch/pull phase was weak and started using more pull buoy while concentrating on catch/pull. Am I in the right direction?
I'd need to see you swim to help you swim Faster faster
ande
I am a triathlete who swims, not fast.
Recently I experienced more than a few times that slower pool swimmers than me were passing me in OW practices (all including myself wearing wetsuit). I swim relatively straight, though I may tend to lift my head too much for sighting. Anyway they are obviously getting a larger benefit of wearing a wetsuit. Since most of the tri races around here allow you to wear a wetsuit, what matters is the speed with one.
Does this tell you what I need to work on?? I know my body position improved during the last few years (of course still lots to learn) - I don't feel a huge difference in my lower body position with a wetsuit on as I used to. So I thought my stroke particually catch/pull phase was weak and started using more pull buoy while concentrating on catch/pull.
Am I in the right direction?
Former Member
My guess would be that you are slower in OW and faster in the pools because you are strong at pushing off walls, something that is absent in OW. What type of pool are you swimming in (25 yard, 25 meter, 50 meter)? I've also heard that the type of turns you do in the pool can affect OW. Open turns tend to give you a small rest and an additional chance to breathe, where as flip turns can help increase your endurance and lung capacity.
Former Member
I can't say I have an answer for you.... but the fact is, plenty of pool swimmers don't perform in open water equal to their ability in the pool. I suspect there are a gazillion reasons why. I would suggest trying to spend more time swimming in open water. Expereince is the key. The more you do, the more conditions you face and conquer, the better. I don't believe a wetsuit will help a slow swimmer more than a fast swimmer. Just make sure your wetsuit fits properly.
SMR -
One thing I really like about swimming Long Course and open water is that the distance allows for me to get in the groove of my stroke, and then keep going. If you're swimming Short Course yards or meters, you almost never get a chance to reach that groove point, as you're inturrupted to make a turn.
My guess is that these slower pool swimmers are like me, and they are able to find their groove and then set the cruise control.
If you don't swim LCM or OW that often, I recommend you get in a LCM pool and work on finding that groove and the associated pace. Also, if you have a center-mount snorkel, try doing a little groove discovery with the snorkel, and then repeat without.
:fish2:
Former Member
SMR -
My guess is that these slower pool swimmers are like me, and they are able to find their groove and then set the cruise control.
:fish2:
It could be just the opposite too. In OW, you have to sight, feel for waves and currents, and not think about that thing that just bumped you.
:bolt:
There are no black lines and lane ropes so you can't relax into the groove. You have to be constantly aware for your surroundings. IMO
