Hi there-
I've never done an open water swim before in my life. There will be a 1-mile swim in July that I'd like to attend (plenty of time to prepare). LC season is right around the corner (sorta)... but any advice that you could give me would be great. I quickly read over the recent article in our magazine about 'swimming tirelessly' - but I just wanted to get some more tips and pointers. I will really only have access to a LCM pool... BUT, I'm going to be vacationing somewhere near the Atlantic Ocean in June - any advice on how I can maybe get my bearings there (for the July swim), too?
Not expecting to be breaking records or anything, I just want to see if I can do it.
Thanks.
Former Member
for the ocean swim, if it's a shore start i just look at the waves and see where the current will lead me and position myself accordingly. make sure you look at the buoys beforehand at the level of the ocean.
sight at the top of the waves. hopefully they won't be coming in your face.
ocean swims are fun!
mary
You should swim in the waters where the race will be held, before the race, and establish landmarks you can use as navigation aids while you are swimming. Learn to navigate by looking ahead every 5 strokes or so. The landmarks need to be stationary things you can see quickly when you look ahead. Staying on a straight course is key in open water swimming.
The other option is to know someone who is swimming the race who is a good navigator, and key off their direction.
Try to find out on which side the markers will be. For some reason, open water swims that go parallel to the shoreline put the buoys on the left. You'll need to practice breathing on that side or alternating. If its a shore start, just stroll in. Don't waste energy with the dolphin diving (unless it just too rough).
Relax and have fun!
Thanks for the tips, everyone!
It's seems as though watching where you are going is a big part of the swim. I'll try to find/meet someone who knows the course well and stay near them during the race. I'm trying to get some of my teammates to take the plunge with me.
Thanks for this question, and for the tips you all offer! I am contmeplating doing a 1 mile swim across a river in September and am already anxious about it!!
The swim has been happening for many years and looks quite well supported so I think it will be "safe". I just wonder if I can do it if for no other reason, anxiety taking over my calmness and making me forget all that I know about swimming!!
I am guessing that for a one mile swim there would be no hydration or fueling issues?
I have not yet convinced myself to do this -- we'll see as the time gets closer...:rolleyes:
Sarah,
Sorry this is late but I want to suggest something a little different: Never follow the feet in front of you!! More people than not have terrible navigation problems. You absolutely must look up more often to sight those buoys. The next best thing is if you are swimming next to a person who IS looking up a whole lot, then you probably don't need to as much because they are working toward proper navigation.
And I am not sure about why swimming "tirelessly" would be a concern because it is only one mile and one mile really isn't that difficult to do, it really isn't if you've trained 400 repeats, some 100 repeats, etc. Trust your training.
I never take off with the "pack" because they take off like it's a 25 yd sprint and I believe in building as I go, plus I am a better back-half swimmer. I find that if I rip the start, the mile becomes very difficult and isn't as much fun. Use a 400 pace or even 800 pace and stick with that throughout except maybe try to pick up the pace at about the halfway mark.
And I will tell you this, when you finish that mile, you will be elated with your achievement!!!
donna
hi swimmer,
navigation is key. ask around where to head towards (left of first buoy or left of the tree etc.). i agree with another reply is do not follow someone and trust their navigation skills. drink plenty of water. if you come out of the water dizzy, you are dehydrated. good luck! :joker:
I wanted to add one more thing that another poster mentioned and that is being dizzy at the end of the swim. I have found that hydration is not the cause of this, a drop in blood pressure is because you have been horizontal for, say, half an hour, and when you stand up to the vertical position, the blood leaves your head very quickly so some dizziness may be expected. It goes away within a minute or two. Some people have more of a problem with this than others, I do.
donna
Thanks for this information Donna. Only when I swim in open water (the few lake swims I have done) do I experience this. When I stand up at the shore and be still for about 15 seconds I am OK. This has happened in the triathlons I have done, and the few extra seconds I take in the water is not a handicap as I am a slow participant!
