Hello!
I've never swam in the open waters before, but I've had some folks in my masters program who have and love it. I'm thinking of doing a swim across america open water event. But have some questions:
Is this considered a race or more of a relaxed charity event where you can go as slow as you want? I tried doing a 2k non-stop in the pool, but my pace was really terrible.
I don't have any opportunities to swim in the open water as practice, how will I know whether a wet suit is required?
What should I bring for such an event?
I've heard that I need to learn how to do a "sighting", and since I breathe on my right, to stay on the left end so I can "look" at people and the direction they are going. Any other tips?
My 2 main fears of open water: taking in water while breathing and getting kicked in the face. :afraid:
I've done five formal open water events (four were triathlons and one just a swim) so I'm pretty new to it, but have been learning from experience each time. I agree with what is stated above Get someone to teach you how to site correctly as incorrect siting is needlessly tiring. Wear your most comfortable goggles - they don't have to be streamlined for diving and turns as in the pool environment. 2000 m is a long time to wear uncomfortable goggles without a break. Many people including me wear different goggles for open water than in the pool. Practice swimming short distances with you eyes closed to see if you tend to pull to one side. I didn't realize it but I was using the line in the pool lane to correct for a slightly uneven pull. Without that line, I have to be e be careful to swim straight in an open water environment. The ability to breathe to either side is well worth learning - both so you can see around you and also in case of waves. If you can't practice in open water ahead of time you can still simulate the mass start by putting about five people together in one lane and all starting together. Practice swimming at least once in the wetsuit if you plan to use it in order to make sure it works for you. My first OW event, I had planned to use a borrowed wetsuit and discovered it was a bad fit when I tried it out in water. Ended up getting a different one.
I've done five formal open water events (four were triathlons and one just a swim) so I'm pretty new to it, but have been learning from experience each time. I agree with what is stated above Get someone to teach you how to site correctly as incorrect siting is needlessly tiring. Wear your most comfortable goggles - they don't have to be streamlined for diving and turns as in the pool environment. 2000 m is a long time to wear uncomfortable goggles without a break. Many people including me wear different goggles for open water than in the pool. Practice swimming short distances with you eyes closed to see if you tend to pull to one side. I didn't realize it but I was using the line in the pool lane to correct for a slightly uneven pull. Without that line, I have to be e be careful to swim straight in an open water environment. The ability to breathe to either side is well worth learning - both so you can see around you and also in case of waves. If you can't practice in open water ahead of time you can still simulate the mass start by putting about five people together in one lane and all starting together. Practice swimming at least once in the wetsuit if you plan to use it in order to make sure it works for you. My first OW event, I had planned to use a borrowed wetsuit and discovered it was a bad fit when I tried it out in water. Ended up getting a different one.
