I just swam my first open water event this past weekend, and have learned a few lessons the hard way.
I was wondering if anyone else has some tips or things that swimmers need to remember for an open water race.
The following is what I have so far.
1. Know exactly where the finish line is and what markings it will have.
I ended a short warm up race (500m) by swimming to the wrong boat ramp, about 20 feet away from the actual finish line. The finish line had the electronic sensors.
2. Know the course layout.
The course I swam was a rectangle with 3 large buoys on each of the long sides. For some reason during the swim I was sure there were only 2 on the back side. After the 2nd buoy, I started to cut over toward the finish line until I suspected that something was amiss. An extended look showed me my error. I hated myself for this error.
3. Don’t get kicked in the head.
If the race is sufficiently long, and you are an average racer, I think a clean start is more important than a fast start. I started to the far left of the pack, which was smart. Unfortunately, I cut in prematurely within the first 100 yards and was kicked in the goggles. I believe I really should have stayed wide and stayed safe for the first ~800 yard straight-away, angling slightly toward the last buoy.
Things I did right.
4. Make sure the ankle bracelet and timing chip are securely attached.
I had trouble removing it after the swim. A good problem.
5. Brought and wore dark goggles.
I usually swim indoors with clear goggles. The dark tint or mirror is a nice addition outside, even on an overcast day.
6. Lots of swimmers are nervous.
It helps me to know that I was not the only swim with butterflies.
What am I missing?
My next event is Labor Day weekend.
Thanks.
Parents
Former Member
I'm still trying to figure out the best place to start in an open water or tri swim. The problem is, each event is different because different people show up. I've had great luck with starting right up front in the middle and off to one side, but I've also had bad experiences with both.
I did a one mile OW swim in June and I lined up behind some swimmer-looking people without wetsuits in the front. The problem was, they went out slow and the people behind me decided to climb over me, them, and everyone else. Then to make matters worse the climbers didn't know how to sight and started zig-zagging everywhere once I began drafting them.
For the Fat Salmon 5K I took the opposite approach, hung in the back messing around with my GPS, and just took my time. That resulted in a relaxing, conflict-free, but slow swim. I moved from pack to pack, drafting for a little while each time.
Looking back on past swims that I have done, my best results have been when I started out in the very front, hammered the first 100, and then fell in with whatever pack happened to be near me at the time. It's a painful way to race, but I think it is the most effective.
I'm still trying to figure out the best place to start in an open water or tri swim. The problem is, each event is different because different people show up. I've had great luck with starting right up front in the middle and off to one side, but I've also had bad experiences with both.
I did a one mile OW swim in June and I lined up behind some swimmer-looking people without wetsuits in the front. The problem was, they went out slow and the people behind me decided to climb over me, them, and everyone else. Then to make matters worse the climbers didn't know how to sight and started zig-zagging everywhere once I began drafting them.
For the Fat Salmon 5K I took the opposite approach, hung in the back messing around with my GPS, and just took my time. That resulted in a relaxing, conflict-free, but slow swim. I moved from pack to pack, drafting for a little while each time.
Looking back on past swims that I have done, my best results have been when I started out in the very front, hammered the first 100, and then fell in with whatever pack happened to be near me at the time. It's a painful way to race, but I think it is the most effective.
