Open water swimming is a fun activity you can do to connect with nature, explore new places and an activity that forms one of the elements of a triathlon. If you’re new to open-water swimming, it can be daunting to jump in and get going. This article is here to help you; we have several different tips you can use for open-water swimming as a beginner.
Open-water swimming can be frightening to start with and take some getting used to. A key thing to remember as a beginner and further in your open swimming journey is always to remain calm. It might feel strange at first to swim in open water as it will be colder and choppier than swimming in a pool. In addition, you won’t have the familiar feeling of coming to a wall for a break or feeling the floor of the pool. Staying calm is the best way to keep control and avoid panicking; once you panic, you could get into trouble during your swim.
When beginning your open-water swimming journey, you should start slowly to allow your body to get used to the differences between swimming in open water and swimming in a pool. Keep your sessions short, and don’t push yourself too hard at first. Once you’ve got used to the different techniques needed, you can increase the amount of time you spend open water swimming until you’re ready to take on an event such as a triathlon.
Safety is paramount when participating in open-water swimming; not all lakes, rivers, and seas are safe for this type of activity. Some may contain bacteria that are harmful or even creatures that can be a threat to humans swimming. There are, however, lots of safe open-water swimming locations you can choose from around the country. To find these, use reliable online resources or speak to other open-water swimmers in the area.
Going open water swimming on your own puts you at a higher risk of incidents. The best option for a beginner is to go with a more experienced swimmer; they will be able to help you if you get into trouble and give you hints and tips that can help you pace yourself. Triathlon participants will have experience in open-water swimming, so they may be able to go with you if you can’t find a dedicated open-water swimmer. If you don’t know any other open-water swimmers consider joining a local group and going on one of their group swims. This will allow you to meet other people interested in this sport and reduce the risk of getting into trouble.
It's important that your body has enough energy to take on the cold water and choppy waves you can experience when open water swimming. Triathlon energy gels can be great for fueling your swimming without needing to fill up your stomach before swimming, which can cause digestive issues. If you plan to use energy gels, make sure you introduce them slowly and train your body to use them effectively.
There are lots of different open-water swimming techniques you can use to help you when you start swimming. These include breathing techniques that ensure you breathe on both sides; this will help when you are swimming in water with waves on either side. Another technique you can use is to get as much travel out of each stroke as possible; this will help you go further with only a small amount of effort. There are also many other techniques you can use for open-water swimming; take a look online at some reputable websites before you head off on your first swim; these will help you make the most of your time in the water. Open water swimming can be a fun and enjoyable activity; by following these tips, you can keep yourself safe during the activity. Always remember to stay calm and collected, start off slowly, choose a safe open water location, go with an experienced swimmer where possible, fuel your body properly and research open swimming techniques.