Drafting in Open Water Swims

I have wondered that myself. I have tried it a few times, and have felt that I was moving too slow, based on perceived exertion. As far as I know, that's all you've got to go on. If you feel that you are going too slow, pass that person, and try to pick up another. The guy you were drafting will probably try to get on your feet.

Concerning legality of drafting, it is pretty hard not to draft in some of the shorter races where there are packs of people all moving from point to point. Also, I've seen 2 FINA 10k races and there was drafting in those, so it's probably legal. Some races (e.g. MIMS and Atlantic City Marathon) do expressly forbid drafting. Besides, at least in shorter races, drafting is one of the things that makes them so much fun - you try to draft and they try to drop you; they draft and you try to drop them. Sometimes temporary drafting "alliances" form almost by psychic agreement and then you get to a point where you try to break each other. Good, clean fun for kids. -LBJ

You can draft from two positions: 1) Directly behind the person. This is the most efficient. 2) Alongside the person, with your head at about their waist and no more than approx. 1 meter away. Less efficient, but still works. Ideally, you want to "hitch a ride" with someone who is passing you and is just a little faster than you. After they pass, you swerve into their wake and let them break the still water and even do the sighting for you - just hang onto to those feet. You do have to be careful though that they can sight reasonably well and aren't taking you on a zig-zag course. Also, don't touch their feet since this might earn you a kick in the face. Another strategy, if you are with people who are about at your level, is to "leapfrog" people: Swim behind one person until you see someone just ahead and then go hard until you get behind them. Then let them tow you until you have caught your breath and then repeat. -LBJ

I have done the Cayman 1 mile swim a few times, and the rules for that race were very clear that drafting was illegal, and if caught you could be disqualified.

One race I'm doing is a Alcatraz swim, and the other is a triathlon. I'm sure that drafting is legal in both cases.

On the legality of drafting: I was always under the assumption that drafting in USMS open water events was forbidden, however a search of the USMS rulebook does not explicity address drafting outside of a pool, other than being forbidden to draft behind an escort craft. The only reference is in the Disqualifications: 303.8.8—Draft off another swimmer in long distance pool events. FINA rules only mentions that "pacing of a swimmer by another person entering the water is not permitted" (www.fina.org/openwaterrules.html).

I know for sure drafting during the swim leg in triathlons are legal. In regards to if he's helping you along or not, if you keep hitting his feet or legs, he's too slow for you.

Drafting I love to get between two of the fastest swimmers in the race. The beauty is that you no longer have to use your own energy. Let them drag you all through the race. I drafted off Herman Willemse the Nederlands and Haratio Iglesias www.ishof.org/03higlesias.html of Argentina for 20 miles of a twenty eight mile race. After the first 20 miles I felt great and they wore down. Easy going for me.

So did you beat them? Originally posted by geochuck Drafting I love to get between two of the fastest swimmers in the race. The beauty is that you no longer have to use your own energy. Let them drag you all through the race. I drafted off Herman Willemse the Nederlands and Haratio Iglesias www.ishof.org/03higlesias.html of Argentina for 20 miles of a twenty eight mile race. After the first 20 miles I felt great and they wore down. Easy going for me.

That particular race they both got out. However I was beaten by Tom Bucy from Texas, I came 2nd. That was the year I had a car accident in May and did not swim until the day of the race July 9th. To let every one think I had been training, I used Man Tan to look tanned and to make goggle marks on my face, as if I had been training. Just to let you know I raced in 90 marathon races in 8 years.