Hey guys, I am a novice swimmer and struggle a lot with my technique. I figure I should be able to make a lot of improvement at some point in time if I continue to work hard at it and swim A LOT over the next year or two. Like a lot of poor swimmers, I create a lot of unnecessary drag in the water due to a few mechanical flaws in my stroke. Staying horizontal in the water is very difficult and this slows me down a lot.

However I have been thinking lately about the difference between swimming in a pool during workouts and actual racing in open water. I have done enough wetsuit swims to know that it feels completely different than in the pool. All of a sudden I am on the surface of the water and am able to move forward more efficiently. While I am not trying to dismiss the need for developing a strong stable core in the pool, I am kind of wondering if it matters as much when I am swimming in a wetsuit in open water.

If I have pretty good rhythm and timing with my stroke and I develop a strong catch and pull, shouldn’t I be able to swim relatively fast for an age grouper? Basically I am wondering if I am just stressing myself out a bit too much with trying to get everything right in the pool. If you could pick out a few key components or a triathletes swim stroke that you feel are most important to swim relatively fast (let’s say 1.40/100) what would they be?

I appreciate any feedback

Thanks!!