Before you even
get in the water there are a few essential items that will help you feel more
comfortable. A decent pair of goggles for open water swimming is a must, so
make sure you find a pair that fit snuggly and also protect your eyes from the
sun.
A wetsuit can
make your swim time faster or slower, so it is crucial that you find one that
fits you well and feels comfortable around the shoulders. Take your time
finding one that feels snug but not too tight, and that fits comfortably around
the neck.
This is also a
good time to think about how easy it may be to get out of the wetsuit. Check
which way the zip goes, as some zips go up and others go down. Also check the
legs pull off over your feet easily.
When preparing
to go out for an ocean swim, pick a nice calm day. Try to go at high tide or
when the tide is coming in, not going out. Most importantly take a friend with
you, as swimming with others is safer and more fun. Before you get in, have a
look at the direction the waves/chop is going, this will give you a good idea
of which direction the current will be pulling you along in the water and also
which direction to breathe to - away from the chop. If you are racing, think
about how your chosen swimming line might be affected by the current. For
example, if the current is flowing towards the right, you may want to start
slightly to the left of the first buoy to allow for the current to drag you
slightly to the right as you swim out to it.
On race day,
start position is very important to make sure your race gets off to a good
start. Scope out the course before hand and ideally have a swim warm up to
check the water current and to pick out some landmarks in the distance that
will help you sight the buoys during the race - things will look much different
standing on the beach than when you are down low in the water. Pick a start
position on the beach or pontoon based on your abilities. If you are a new
swimmer or nervous, try starting out to the side of the bunch, even if you end
up taking a slightly longer line to the first buoy. This will ensure you will
be free to swim at your own pace and not get stuck in a tight bunch, which can
make it difficult to swim and make you feel panicky.
It is also a
good idea to practise dolphin diving and drafting. They are both designed to
help you conserve energy and get through the swim as quickly as possible.
Drafting is achieved when you swim directly behind or on the hip of another
swimmer. Taking care not to interfere with their swimming, you want to feel
them breaking the water and making it easier for you to swim, essentially
dragging you along. Dolphin diving is done at the start and end of races where
the water is too deep to run in, but still shallow enough to use the sea bottom
to propel you forward. This can be faster and more efficient than swimming, if
you get it right. Practise makes perfect!
Lastly, take your time to feel comfortable,
confident and safe in the water. Talk to more experienced swimmers and make
sure to enjoy it!
Here are a few quick tips to get you going.
- Baby oil on your arms and legs under the
wetsuit will help it slide off in transition
- Vaseline around your neck will prevent
chaffing
- A hot water bottle filled with hot
water poured in your suit pre swim on
chilly days will help you keep warm
- Put a plastic bag on your feet and hands
when putting your wetsuit on to help it slide on easily
- Buy some wet suit gloves to stop yourself from accidentally making holes in your suit when you pull it on
- Wear a brightly coloured swim cap
- Use dark tinted goggles for sunny days,
light or clear goggles for dark cloudy days
- Relax and stay close to shore if you are nervous when training
Happy Swimming!
