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:
My first swim event ever (at age 68) was last August in Lake Placid, NY, a one miler. Swimmers were seeded by submitted times. I had never done one before so I swam a casual 1650 in a pool in 42 min. and turned in that time. I was in the last wave and when the whistle went off, I hung back and let everyone go. I swam slowly and comfortably the whole way finishing last by a large margin in 48 something. Everyone was very supportive.
It was a cable swim, so there were buoys every few yards with a cable 4 feet below which could be seen at all times, no sighting necessary. I practice open water with a triathlon club in a lake, a half mile loop. There are buoys at the turns and halfway between turns. It's not a square course, somewhat triangular, so sighting is always necessary. I have learned that I drift right, and I breathe right so I know to look to the left when sighting. I count about 30 strokes then look up to see if I'm still on a line.
My first swim event ever (at age 68) was last August in Lake Placid, NY, a one miler. Swimmers were seeded by submitted times. I had never done one before so I swam a casual 1650 in a pool in 42 min. and turned in that time. I was in the last wave and when the whistle went off, I hung back and let everyone go. I swam slowly and comfortably the whole way finishing last by a large margin in 48 something. Everyone was very supportive.
It was a cable swim, so there were buoys every few yards with a cable 4 feet below which could be seen at all times, no sighting necessary. I practice open water with a triathlon club in a lake, a half mile loop. There are buoys at the turns and halfway between turns. It's not a square course, somewhat triangular, so sighting is always necessary. I have learned that I drift right, and I breathe right so I know to look to the left when sighting. I count about 30 strokes then look up to see if I'm still on a line.
