I have the option of swimming in a 25 m or 50 m pool. What is best for triathlon?
I compete mainly in 70.3.
For me there seems to differ 3-4 s /100 m, where 25 m is the fastest.
Any specific practices that should be done in any specific pool length?
I’d go for the 50. Will be easier to get into a swimming rythym without turning as much (since you’ll rarely be doing open turns with that extra breath or stealing meters streamlining after a flip turn in races).
And as a bonus it’s easier to count laps on those longer swims.
all else being equal (cost and travel time), I would pick the 50m for sure.
My $.02. Use the 25m pool (gives the option of shorter repeats) to build speed and, if possible, transition over to long course when you’re ready for race specific prep.
Any specific practices that should be done in any specific pool length?
Do some 400 IMs in the long course (50m) pool 
Always go 50m IMO. Your races are in open water.
50m. Always.
Longer pool feels more like OWS
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I have the option of swimming in a 25 m or 50 m pool. What is best for triathlon?
I compete mainly in 70.3.
For me there seems to differ 3-4 s /100 m, where 25 m is the fastest.
Any specific practices that should be done in any specific pool length?
On a swim focus day, swim LCM. Otherwise swim in short course. Sprint sets in short course, 200’s in long course.
I am curious why people suggest faster swimming should be done short course.
Seems to me that the only benefit is the illusion of going faster due to the push off. Since ows has no push offs, why would short course be better for faster workouts?
Because I can’t do 60x25 under race pace in long course
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Always choose the longer pool, unless your races are in 25 meter pools.
50m. Always.
This. If I had regular access to a 50m pool I’d never look back on the 25 and miss it.
I am curious why people suggest faster swimming should be done short course.
Never made sense to me either but the instructors in the lessons I’ve taken all recommended that I do my drills, speed, and repeats in the 25m pool. I still get longer work in at 50m. I’ll do intervals and repeats in the 50m sometimes anyway.
all else being equal (cost and travel time), I would pick the 50m for sure.
agree 100%
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Stroke rate deterioration is the number one enemy and you can maintain appropriate stroke rates for longer duration in a short course pool.
Or put another way:
If you swim the same set (say 20 x 100’s) in Long Course and Short Course you will likely spend more time at optimal stroke rate in Short Course.
50m. Always.
This. If I had regular access to a 50m pool I’d never look back on the 25 and miss it.
I’d do the same
Or just learn to hold your strokes longer.
Triathlon is an open-water discipline. If you can’t hold your form without walls, you lose.
Whatever works best for you in terms of pool availability, travel time, and cost.
Also when you train is the pool busy, or empty?
That is the equivalent of saying the best way to hold 6:00 / Mile pace is to run a marathon at 6:00/ mile.