Open water swimming...oh boy
Not too long ago, Bob and I decided to sign up for the 1.2 mile swim at the Kinetics Summer Solstice Happening #Kineticists in Longmont Colorado (at the Union Reservoir)...to prepare for our triathlons in late June and July. Realizing that 1.2 miles was a little much, I emailed the organizer of the swim requesting to swim just the 1/2 mile swim that day. I was assured that that change wasn't a problem.
When we got there, it was windy, the water was choppy and wavy...and we were still signed up for the 1.2 mile swim...um no! So we requested to "downgrade" to the 1/2 mile swim. We were still anxious, but at least it wasn't a full mile! So 1/2 mile swim...1.2 miles swim...what's the big deal you ask? It's huge...open water swimming is scary if you're not experienced at it. We can do pool swimming no problem...but open water swimming is a whole different thing.
In the reservoir (or lake or ocean) you are just a teeny tiny insignificant speck - and you are a much bigger speck in a civilized contained body of water known as a pool!! Most of us aren't used to being that itty bitty speck and it can really freak us out! Okay...on to open water swimming...
Open water swimming is swimming in a large body of water, which is usually cold, with no bottom to touch or see... mostly green if you open your eyes in the water (I can't help it I always open my eyes!) There are no comfy things like clear sight (for us glasses wearers), the landmarks are hard to see even if you have good eyesight, it's easy to get disoriented (especially if you are straight-line challenged!), and there are no comforting reliable pool decks, clear and clean water, or lane ropes.
Tips for open water swimming
1. Swim in a wetsuit. It helps to stay a little warmer and definitely helps with buoyancy. It's hard to sink in a wetsuit. You can rent one or you can buy one for as little as $100 to $150 I think. Used ones are even cheaper!
2. Practice practice practice swimming in open water to get used to being that little speck in water and feel more confident which of course makes it just a bit easier. Then there's the Yuck Factor...you will get used to the fish, seaweed, mucky green water, motor oil and other yucky things in the water too! Swimming in a pool for yardage and drills is fine, but it can't prepare you for the water or whatever is in it!
3. Learn how to tread water - it's a good skill to have when you need to rest and catch your breath.
4. Practice floating on your back - another good skill to have when you need to catch your breath. What I do is float on my back, flutter kick, and do figure 8s with my hands and the added benefit is forward motion while I catch my breath.
5. Freestyle is usually the stroke of choice for triathletes - I also practice my breastroke (a great way to sight) and backstroke too. Side stroke is also a good stroke to practice - it helps with swimming in choppy wavy water.
6. Practice drills in the pool to improve your stroke efficiency.
7. Do strength training to help with feeling more confident and strong in the water.
8. Practice sighting both in open water and the pool. Buoys are used to mark where swimmers are to swim. They are usually bright yellow or orange...and you need to keep track of them as you swim. You can either do the Tarzan swim (freestyle with your eyes out of the water), side stroke, breast stroke, or tread water to orient yourself and keep the buoy you're swimming toward. Last night's swim was less than sunny and I was using my blue tinted goggles - bad choice. Blue tinted goggles are awesome for sunny days, but last night I was blind. I got really disoriented so took them off and swam goggle-less. Note to self: buy a clear set of goggles for such a day.
9. Acclimate to the cold water on the day of the race. And practice that skill - a lot. That's the next post...stay tuned!
Selfie at Union Reservoir!
When we got there, it was windy, the water was choppy and wavy...and we were still signed up for the 1.2 mile swim...um no! So we requested to "downgrade" to the 1/2 mile swim. We were still anxious, but at least it wasn't a full mile! So 1/2 mile swim...1.2 miles swim...what's the big deal you ask? It's huge...open water swimming is scary if you're not experienced at it. We can do pool swimming no problem...but open water swimming is a whole different thing.
In the reservoir (or lake or ocean) you are just a teeny tiny insignificant speck - and you are a much bigger speck in a civilized contained body of water known as a pool!! Most of us aren't used to being that itty bitty speck and it can really freak us out! Okay...on to open water swimming...
Open water swimming is swimming in a large body of water, which is usually cold, with no bottom to touch or see... mostly green if you open your eyes in the water (I can't help it I always open my eyes!) There are no comfy things like clear sight (for us glasses wearers), the landmarks are hard to see even if you have good eyesight, it's easy to get disoriented (especially if you are straight-line challenged!), and there are no comforting reliable pool decks, clear and clean water, or lane ropes.
Tips for open water swimming
1. Swim in a wetsuit. It helps to stay a little warmer and definitely helps with buoyancy. It's hard to sink in a wetsuit. You can rent one or you can buy one for as little as $100 to $150 I think. Used ones are even cheaper!
2. Practice practice practice swimming in open water to get used to being that little speck in water and feel more confident which of course makes it just a bit easier. Then there's the Yuck Factor...you will get used to the fish, seaweed, mucky green water, motor oil and other yucky things in the water too! Swimming in a pool for yardage and drills is fine, but it can't prepare you for the water or whatever is in it!
3. Learn how to tread water - it's a good skill to have when you need to rest and catch your breath.
4. Practice floating on your back - another good skill to have when you need to catch your breath. What I do is float on my back, flutter kick, and do figure 8s with my hands and the added benefit is forward motion while I catch my breath.
5. Freestyle is usually the stroke of choice for triathletes - I also practice my breastroke (a great way to sight) and backstroke too. Side stroke is also a good stroke to practice - it helps with swimming in choppy wavy water.
6. Practice drills in the pool to improve your stroke efficiency.
7. Do strength training to help with feeling more confident and strong in the water.
8. Practice sighting both in open water and the pool. Buoys are used to mark where swimmers are to swim. They are usually bright yellow or orange...and you need to keep track of them as you swim. You can either do the Tarzan swim (freestyle with your eyes out of the water), side stroke, breast stroke, or tread water to orient yourself and keep the buoy you're swimming toward. Last night's swim was less than sunny and I was using my blue tinted goggles - bad choice. Blue tinted goggles are awesome for sunny days, but last night I was blind. I got really disoriented so took them off and swam goggle-less. Note to self: buy a clear set of goggles for such a day.
9. Acclimate to the cold water on the day of the race. And practice that skill - a lot. That's the next post...stay tuned!
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