As a swim coach, I ALWAYS get asked the following questions, “is it necessary to do an open water swim before race day?” and “is swimming in open water really different from swimming in a pool?” I thought I’d shed some light on this topic, and give my 2 cents…
In most cases, it’s not NECESSARY to do an open water swim prior to race day. (However SOME races such as the NYC Triathlon require it: http://www.nyctri.com/new-york/registration/waivers/). While its not required in most cases, it is very beneficial and highly recommended.
Swimming in open water is VERY different from swimming in a pool. Many athletes neglect to factor in many of the elements they’ll face on race day including race-day adrenaline, mass swim starts, swimming in crowds, not being able to see clearly under water, waves, currents, choppy water, blinding sun, sighting for buoy’s and more. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to incorporate open water swimming into your training regimen to ensure you’re adequately prepared for your event.
Athletes of ALL levels should include open water swim training into their pre-race routine - not just beginners! In fact, longer & more challenging races (such as half and full Iron distance events and destination races such as Escape from Alcatraz), often have more challenging swims with more athletes in each swim wave.
I hope this information helps some of you out there, so that you go into your race feeling adequately prepared both mentally and physically!
Empire Tri Club is hosting a series of 4 open water swim clinics this summer from 8am- 10am at Coney Island (Brooklyn, NY) on the following dates: 6/12, 6/26, 7/10 and 8/7. Athletes of all abilities are welcome to attend. Each 2-hour clinic will include lots of helpful open water tips, information, Q&A with coaches, open water swim instruction, and a mock triathlon swim where you’ll get to experience what a mass triathlon swim is like! For more information please contact info@empiretriclub.com or visit http://bit.ly/1Occykk.
If you live outside of the tri-state area or cannot attend one of our clinics, I encourage you to find a local OWS clinic in your area. A listing of additional events can be found here: http://www.nyctri.com/new-york/registration/waivers/
Personally, I would disagree with #1. I think it’s absolutely necessary to get in the open water before race day. If you live somewhere landlocked and you’re travelling to a race, get there at least a few days early and get in the water. There are enough variables on race day to provoke anxiety without adding in the fact that you’ve never swum in open water (or haven’t done it in a long time). I was totally shocked at Tremblant when the race director asked the crowd of athletes if this would be anyone’s first open water swim – and some people put their hands up.
For me the biggest reason to do OWS practice isn’t on your list. It is psychological preparation for the distance. There is a big difference between looking at the end of the 25 yd pool at the gym and looking at a buoy half a mile away and knowing that you need to swim there and back. The distances didn’t really sink in until I did OWS where I had an idea of how far they really were. I think that if I hadn’t done a swim practice, I would have been too intimidated at my first race to try the swim.
this and it’s a psychological preparation for the qualitative difference between ows and the pool. I know of very competent pool swimmers that freak in open water.
So I am curious about the necessity of pool swimming and would be curious to hear thoughts. I have loved my masters class and pool sessions, but due to my schedule I am dropping masters for the summer. My pool membership (which I renew in 3 month blocks) is expiring and I am debating not renewing it.
I have two weekly open water swims I participate in, and have been doing one pool session. Can I replace the pool session with a third OWS? or will I be missing out on the pool work during the summer as I prep for an ironman?
I can always do the occasional pool swim and pay the $4 entry on days the weather prohibits OWS, but I am curious if I need to renew my pool membership or not. Is it a bad idea to switch over to OWS almost exclusively while training for an IM?
Personally, I would disagree with #1. I think it’s absolutely necessary to get in the open water before race day. If you live somewhere landlocked and you’re travelling to a race, get there at least a few days early and get in the water. There are enough variables on race day to provoke anxiety without adding in the fact that you’ve never swum in open water (or haven’t done it in a long time). I was totally shocked at Tremblant when the race director asked the crowd of athletes if this would be anyone’s first open water swim – and some people put their hands up.
If there are any of these this year at Tremblant, they’re in for a surprise. Water was a cool 54 yesterday.
For everyone saying OWS is essential that’s pure bullshit.
Is it nice to have? Sure. Is it essential? Fuck no.
If you’re swim fit the distance isn’t an issue. The issue is with your OWS skill set or lack of.
85% if not more of triathletes who OWS don’t work on the skills necessary to compete competently, they just get in and swim. What a waste of perfectly good OWS time.
I’ll give you an example of what good OWS skills can do for you.
This past weekend at a race I found myself on the right side of the pack in an ocean swim about 6th-7th place. Realized the dude leading the Rt side of the pack was waaaaaaaay faster then me and I’d not be able to hold his feet.
The L side of the pack was slower and beating each other up. We are maybe 75-100m into the swimming part after running in from a beach entry. Current was going from L to Rt. I rolled over the legs of the person next to me then split the gap between the 2 swimmers still on my L. Threw in a hard surge doing this & popped out far enough L that no one could jump on my feet. Aimed just L of the buoy and got swept into the turn in 2nd place. Piece of cake. Why? Bc of OWS skills, not bc I’ve been swimming. MY swim total the previous 4 weeks was < 7000, 5000 of which was race week.
So the question becomes do you just go swim when you do OWS or do you practice the skills that allow you to swim like a bad ass mofo when you get into the water?
If you do B good for you. If you don’t you might as well go to the pool, you’ll be better off in the long run.
Where I live it is darn near impossible to find somewhere to legally swim open water. Every lake or reservoir has a roped off area and if you leave that area DNR will pick you up.
I agree with Brian, it’s nice, but not necessary once you’ve achieved a respectable comfort level, which is purely all mental. You can;t touch to bottom in a indoor pool or more than 1 mile off shore in a lake or ocean. Waves in an indoor pool are almost as bad as outdoors. Most folks that struggle with OWS, are swimming MOP, BOP and have huge groups to follow, so sighting is less critical.
It’s also an even bigger time suck than pool swimming in most cases, especially with a wetsuit. Unless the water is glassy smooth, it’s hard to focus on your stroke and improve technique.
that being said, I enjoy it a lot more and when conditions are right, it’s incredibly rewarding, like finding a perfect section of road without a headwind on the bike. Very calm and peaceful.
I often swim at 6AM at sunrise in lake Michigan with a lighthouse as my sighting marker and distance gauge. Blue open waters to the West, sand dunes on the East. Very relaxing… unless you dreive 20’ there and realist you left your wetsuit at home and the water is about 63F. Then it’s not so relaxing.
<For everyone saying OWS is essential that’s pure bullshit.<
You’re answering as an experienced triathlete. I would say training time in open water is essential for those that experience panic and anxiety related to ows
I’ve noticed local laws don’t really make sense with regards to OWS
In Seattle, we are allowed 50 feet from shore.
(Reply to no-one in particular)
I would also argue that use of a wetsuit is a skill that requires some practice:
You need to get the suit adjusted so that shoulder movement is not restricted
You need to get used to the constriction at your chest/neck
You need to learn how to get it off relatively quickly
Once these skills are mastered, OWS becomes more the Long Slow Distance of swimming.
let me clarify - I believe it is extremely helpful and beneficial to do an open water swim before a triathlon (especially for the psychological benefits that you definitely don’t get when practicing in a pool!!) Even the most experienced triathletes have freakouts in open water swim races! As I mentioned, its very different training in a pool vs. open water, and its good to expose yourself to the elements you’ll face on race day so you’re less likely to have a panic attack in the water - or at least know how to cope if you do! When I said its not necessary, i meant that (it’s often times) not required in order to toe the line at an event. (ie. if you don’t do one, you won’t be expelled from racing and you likely won’t need to provide proof of having done one in order to register or pick up your race packet).
It should also be noted that there are big differences in different types of OWS like swimming in a calm lake vs swimming in the ocean with waves vs swimming in a river. I was in a triathlon recently and it might as well have been a pool the lake was so calm.
I’ll add to the not necessary vote. I hadn’t been in my wetsuit in two years (did not race in 2015). First race was a half. Lots of time in the pool, but no OWS before the race. Had done this race at least four times before. Wetsuit used many times and fits like a glove. I did not expect to have my fastest swim (which it wasn’t), but it was just fine. Would I have liked to have a few OWSs before the race? Sure. But I don’t think it’s cause for alarm if you have experience and confidence.
No, I’m not. I’m answering as an experienced triathlon coach.
You’re tailoring your answer to a specific situation, I was talking in a broad sense. but to get to your specific point -
One way to help reduce anxiety and panic in open water is become more fit as a swimmer. The pool is your best tool. Another way is to develop an good open water skill set. Much of which can be learned in a pool.
You don’t need training time in open water you need more training time in water. Period.
No, I’m not. I’m answering as an experienced triathlon coach.
You’re tailoring your answer to a specific situation, I was talking in a broad sense. but to get to your specific point -
One way to help reduce anxiety and panic in open water is become more fit as a swimmer. The pool is your best tool. Another way is to develop an good open water skill set. Much of which can be learned in a pool.
You don’t need training time in open water you need more training time in water. Period.
Are you able to offer a bit of info on the part in bold, please?
I would imagine sighting would be one of those skills, and I get how that can be learned in a pool, but as a relative newb with limited OWS experience, what other OWS skills can be added in the pool?