Did my first ever OWS this evening. Very enjoyable. I've swum in pools all my life, but never went more than a few yards in a lake. So I joined a local Tri club and went to their Tuesday night practice, a 1/2 mile loop around a small, quiet lake. There are no motor boats allowed. I'd say it's a little bit tougher than pool swimming.
It was different. I'm not accustomed to a hundred other arms and legs flailing around me, and I probably went a tad faster than I should have. I may have gotten just a bit carried away with the mass start. In the beginning, it was very muddy and weedy but once away from shore it was OK. There was only a tiny chop from wind, but more from other swimmers, and I had to keep looking forward to stay in line with the buoys. After a couple hundred yards though, I was pretty much alone and on cruise control.
Good for you, Jack! A 1-miler was my gateway drug into OWS, so welcome to the club. :) Please do let us know how you do!
My advice would be to get some time in open water by yourself a few times at least before this race. Start at the back of the mass of people and wait until you're ready to go. It saves you from all the melee at the beginning. If you start to get exerted or panicky, either do some *** stroke or back stroke, breathe, breathe, breathe, then roll over and continue. You can do this!
Good for you, Jack! A 1-miler was my gateway drug into OWS, so welcome to the club. :) Please do let us know how you do!
My advice would be to get some time in open water by yourself a few times at least before this race. Start at the back of the mass of people and wait until you're ready to go. It saves you from all the melee at the beginning. If you start to get exerted or panicky, either do some *** stroke or back stroke, breathe, breathe, breathe, then roll over and continue. You can do this!
