If you are new to triathlons and are preparing for your first event
, you must be aware that swimming in the open water will be much different than swimming in the pool. There are a few factors that come into play when you race in the ocean, and to a lesser extent a lake. Below are some triathlon swim tips that will help prepare you for your first triathlon.
Swimming in the ocean will pit you against waves and currents. As soon as you run into the water at the start you will be confronted with the surf which can be small to a couple feet high. Learning how to negotiate this first part of the race will make your experience much better.
Once out on the open water you might encounter the wind blown chop which can make breathing somewhat of a challenge. You will find when taking a breath the water tends to go in your mouth. The waves can also block your view so you must find a technique that allows you to check the direction you are going. Remember there are no lines at the bottom to follow.
You also have the issue of fighting your way through the crowd of other swimmers who are jockeying for position. You have to watch for flying elbows and kicking feet. After everyone gets settled in, the crowd starts to spread out and this becomes less of a problem.
It all sounds like a lot of work, but once you have done your first race you will understand how to handle them. If you have access to the ocean for swimming, try to make at least a couple trips so you can practice running into the surf and swimming to get a feel for it.