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.
Finally, pwb and I don't agree on something, to a certain extent.
As a general rule I do not like the notion of starting far outside. I prefer to start dead in the middle but up front. I see way too many swimmers start at the outside due to paralyzing fear of the pack. I've never seen any evidence this works. However, if you are an experienced OW swimmer, as pwb is, this strategy could certainly work. The basic math says you will swim farther but that could be balanced against other factors, like getting kicked. I really just think pwb is scared of combat swimming.
In OW races, swimmers tend to be more courteous and self-policing. In triathlons it's a big free for all with jacked up tri-dorks thinking they know how to swim. Triathlons get interesting on the starts.
See, I think your approach to this question depends on your swim speed and the race. In my first couple of open water races, I started on the outside, and it worked well. In a swim like the Big Shoulders (800 swimmers starting in 5 or 6 waves), I'm a top half to top third swimmer, and starting on the outside keeps me clear of the congestion. A couple hundred adrenaline-hyped swimmers can swim really fast and hard for 200 yards which is enough to wear you out if you're trying to get out front of them to clear water.
In a smaller swim (100 swimmers or less), I can often be a top 10% in speed. In this case, I know who the top 4 or 5 finishers are likely to be. They start in the middle. I start on their heels. They clear the path for me, and I don't have to swim the extra distance.
Finally, pwb and I don't agree on something, to a certain extent.
As a general rule I do not like the notion of starting far outside. I prefer to start dead in the middle but up front. I see way too many swimmers start at the outside due to paralyzing fear of the pack. I've never seen any evidence this works. However, if you are an experienced OW swimmer, as pwb is, this strategy could certainly work. The basic math says you will swim farther but that could be balanced against other factors, like getting kicked. I really just think pwb is scared of combat swimming.
In OW races, swimmers tend to be more courteous and self-policing. In triathlons it's a big free for all with jacked up tri-dorks thinking they know how to swim. Triathlons get interesting on the starts.
See, I think your approach to this question depends on your swim speed and the race. In my first couple of open water races, I started on the outside, and it worked well. In a swim like the Big Shoulders (800 swimmers starting in 5 or 6 waves), I'm a top half to top third swimmer, and starting on the outside keeps me clear of the congestion. A couple hundred adrenaline-hyped swimmers can swim really fast and hard for 200 yards which is enough to wear you out if you're trying to get out front of them to clear water.
In a smaller swim (100 swimmers or less), I can often be a top 10% in speed. In this case, I know who the top 4 or 5 finishers are likely to be. They start in the middle. I start on their heels. They clear the path for me, and I don't have to swim the extra distance.
