Open water vs pool (1)

Triathlon Forum
1

hi all

Have searched through the previous posts and can’t find the answer I am looking for.

When I do my training in the pool and see myself on video , my stroke is calm , relatively controlled and minimal splashing. Although I know I am a weak swimmer , but improving , I can’t help to notice when watching triathlon’s of all distances the style of the leaders swimming.

More often than not, this " windmill " type of motion , with the appearance of the lead hand smacking the water as a catch .

I guess my real question is: How is your swimming form different fromn the pool in the open water?

Am sure this has been covered numerous times but rather be flamed than continue as previously.

2

I always find myself with a better catch in the open water. Don’t know why but I’m sure it’s more effective there. The wetsuit reduces the drag so I also kick less (saving the legs for the bike/run). Also my DPS in open water is much better than in the pool but that’s just maybe the extra floating helps a lot to.

I know this guy that hardly goes under 19’30’’ for 1500m in the pool but in open water swims he comes out either in first or on the feet of the first. :wink:

3

In open water, especially in rough conditions, I end up shortening my stroke and lifting my head a bit higher. The best article I’ve found talking about open water v. pool stroke technique is here:

http://www.coachesinfo.com/category/swimming/282/

4

Thanks very much Jill will read through it.

Thanks everybody else for responses as well.

GREAT WEEKEND TOP ALL !

5

Openwater swimming is all about strength. Swim a lot with a pullbouy and some paddles and you’ll improve wonders.

Also you can’t expect to swim with the same stroke. In the ocean it’s all about maintaining momentum and windmill-style is better for than the regular high elbow swimming.

6

FREESTYLE…

Thanks very much for your response. Efeectively I think this is what I already see. I only know how to swim my present , controlled , high elbow , calm , reeeeeaaaaacccchhhh type of stroke. Although difficult to say without seeing video of myself…would you have any pointers regarding how to adopt the “windmill” type of motion.

From what I would imagine , this would entail more of a hip rotation than my normal swimming. Additionally , strictly from my watching hours of footage , it seems the " catch " would be very different from a high elbow type hand entry.

Any responses here would be really appreciated.