G-man wrote:
They are surf swimming. A bit different than OWS. In the lifeguard swims the surf is so choppy it is sort of like a water polo stroke. When they are pointed toward the shore they are feeling with their feet for a bump, then it is a 100 % sprint like getting up on a wave surfing. If you don't work the waves you lose so much time in those events. Fun to watch that brutal sport.Yes,totally agree, it's wayyy more rough water than the typical triathlon OWS. Still, it's even more impressive that even getting buffeted around by waves like that, they maintain such a high stroke rate. For someone like me who can only do the most wimpiest of wave-OWS, when those decent-sized rollers start hitting, the first thing that goes for me is my stroke rate. These guys/gals keep it going the entire way, really impressive.
It's also stuff like this that makes me question the value of 'perfect' stroke training in a pool. I'm not saying anyone should try and train badly, but for sure, your perfect pool stroke with no extra body motion, mouth barely cracking the edge of the water on the breath to minimize head motion, etc., are all out the window once the chop hits. Whereas turnover becomes ever more important.