Had my first open water swim up in the frozen north. It was simply wonderful to be outside and swim free!! ( no admission costs!!)
I was the only swimmer in the group (14 of us) without a wetsuit but the water temp , 68 or 19, and was surprisingly warm. We did a 80 min workout and I was toasty warm the whole time.
I noticed that focusing carefully on the smaller details of my technique has certainly paid off. And a bonus, with the clear water I could check to see those tell tale bubbles around the hand in the pull and could make corrections.
A great workout. Back in the lake tomorrow. Once acclimatized to this temp, I will move to a cooler lake and adapt to that. I know not all waters are this delightful temperature !
Looking forward to the open water season.
Parents
Former Member
I only wish that I could swim in a crystal clear lake, however Texas doesn't see it that way. I swim in spring fed rivers that have a constant temperature of 72 degrees year round. The need for wetsuits is non-existantant, and swimming against the current only magnifies stroke deficiencies.
We do train in the lakes with a visibility of a few inches to a few feet. Th eneed for a spotter (kayaker) is greatly increased tdue to the conditions. With chop from the surrounding boats, the swimmer has a hard time seeing over the waves at times. The need for safety changes from hypothermia to being eaten by a rotor.
I only wish that I could swim in a crystal clear lake, however Texas doesn't see it that way. I swim in spring fed rivers that have a constant temperature of 72 degrees year round. The need for wetsuits is non-existantant, and swimming against the current only magnifies stroke deficiencies.
We do train in the lakes with a visibility of a few inches to a few feet. Th eneed for a spotter (kayaker) is greatly increased tdue to the conditions. With chop from the surrounding boats, the swimmer has a hard time seeing over the waves at times. The need for safety changes from hypothermia to being eaten by a rotor.
