Hello! I'm a back-of-pack triathlete. In two weeks, I'm planning to do my first USMS open-water swim race. Would someone please be so kind as to tell me (or tell me where to find out) about the rules of etiquette for open-water swim competition? I don't want to annoy people by making the sort of mistakes I made during my first triathlon.
Thank you in advance for your replies.
Whatever etiquette mistakes you made in your first tri would probably be mistakes in a swim-only event too.
If you know you are a back-of-the-packer, start at the back of the pack. Don't crowd the starting line as if you are racing to win, and then make everyone who is actually racing to win swim over or around you. Those people take off like Jaws is chasing them, but if you are not racing to beat them you can relax.
In most races, drafting is unavoidable. Swimming with a pack (taking your turn in the lead now and again) and breaking away the last few hundred yards is legit; in fact, it's often how the leaders swim the race. But it is very unsportsmanlike to draft someone the whole way and then run past them in the finish chute.
Look where you are going. An OW race is probably not the time to work on your backstroke.
You might touch some people, especially at the start, but really: It is a big lake. Do not swim up on someone's legs, or whap someone in the head over and over with your arm or hand. And if you do hit someone in the face hard enough to break her nose, common decency suggests that you should stop and make sure she is OK. You can't hit someone that hard and not know it. Otherwise, after she chases you 1.5 miles, she will berate you strenuously on the beach, and you will be embarrassed.
Pay attention at the pre-race talk so that you know where the start is; whether it is an in-water or a run-from-the-beach start; whether it is an in-water or run-to-the beach finish; and where any underwater hazards are.
Have a great swim!
Pay attention at the pre-race talk so that you know where the start is; whether it is an in-water or a run-from-the-beach start; whether it is an in-water or run-to-the beach finish; and where any underwater hazards are.
LOL... after taking my kids for 12 years to open water events, I entered my first one. Coming in to the end of the mile race, I suddenly realized I didnt know what/where the finish was..:drown:
