Which is a better swim start strategy for someone who is looking to avoid the “chaos” of an open water swim start; starting from the far outside or just waiting 15 seconds, let the neanderthals go, and then take off?
Dave in VA
That’a a good question.
At this swim start, Ironman Canada 1997, I decided to start in the back and let the chaos go. It was an effective strategy for a few reasons.
First off, I swear the people swimming in front of me, about 1700+ of them (at the time the largest mass swim start in the sport’s history) created this massive “suction” or draft of moving water. I was immediately swimming in clear water that felt like it was moving. This was the first year I swam with a full wetsuit, an Ironman Stealth from Mr. Keith Simmons (then) of Ironman wetsuits. Keith showed me how to properly use a full wetsuit and the benefits were incredible. I was out of the water in 1:04 and change, a very good swim split for me.
In the photo above, I am one of the little people standing while everyone else is already swimming. I promised myself I’d wait 30 seconds before I got in and started swimming. When I started, it was easy to just settle into my stroke and find a pair of feet to draft. I swear navigation was easier too. All in all, it was just a very nice swim.
There was a lot of debate over positioning at the swim start, as there is at every race. In this instance, starting at the back worked very well.
The worst swim I ever had is when I started on the outside at IMF. Why? Because that’s where all the poor swimmers go to play, and many have a hard time sighting, swimming straight, swimming a smooth even pace.
There will be contact no matter where you are - you might as well get over the fear now. Be a bit aggressive the first few minutes. I push and hold my space if I have to. You need to fight for your water sometime. Find some feet going just a slight bit faster than you and tuck behind - you will be sheltered to some extent.
I was thinking on the outside but in front:
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I’m a 70th percentile swimmer and don’t like getting caught behind a raft of panicky breast strokers but…
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I’m light and get killed fighting for the inside line on the first turn buoy.
What do folks think about that one?
I’m a 30-50% swimmer. I start behind the fast guys in about the 2nd row on the inside. This also depends on the current if there is one. You’ll want the current to blow you toward the first turn. Don’t start on the inside if the current will blow you inside the first buoy. You’d be swimming into the current to the first buoy. I watch the wind and current real close before the race starts and then adjust my start point and my markers (points I’m going to sight off of in the water, like tall trees, piers, hotels, etc on the other side of the water…unless its an ocean, then punt!!!) from there. If the current is right to left…you’ll need to mentally aim right to go the correct direction. Watch the first waves, if its a wave start, and see which direction they are being blown, then adjust your swim accordingly. I’ve seen people get blown 200 yards off course to the first bouy cause they didn’t realize there was wind and or current. Swim steady and it’ll be over in a few minutes. Then the race really starts!!
I’ve never done an IM, but I would probably agree with Tom D about a short wait. what’s 30-60 seconds in a race that long?
In Oly’s and Sprints I’ve found that if I start at the front of the far outside, I do the best. I usually finish in the top 10-15% of my AG on the swim.
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If you are a better swimmer and you start behind the middle you still have to fight through them when you catch them, because the middle of the group is still all tangled up for a while after the start.
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The extra distance is negligible. If the first turn is 100 yards away and you start 20 yards outside you swim an extra 2 yards. If you start 40 yards outside the shortest line to the first bouy, you will swim a grand total of 7.7 extra yards. If its 500y and you start 100 yards outside, you swim an extra 9 yards. How many seconds does that take…Not as many as fighting with everyone in the middle.
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I don’t have to swim over under around and through the massses in the middle and the inside, where I used to start. So I don’t waste a lot of time and energy flailing around. All of that breast stroking until I can maneuver around their feet and not haveing my goggles and nose kicked is worth a lot.
- I can break right into a smooth fast cruise mode and look for a draft over toward the inside.
This makes the swim feel like a picnic instead of a water polo match.
First tri last year and it was an in the water start. I am a fairly strong swimmer. Even though everyone told me I would get kick, hit, climbed over, I used to be an open water lifeguard, so I thought I could handle it. NOPE! I did not like the feeling at all, so I just stopped and let the crowd pass for a couple of seconds. Then I took off and I had a nice swim with plenty of space. One thing that I didn’t like was trying to pass all those people later. When I was passing I picked my head up more frequently and that slowed my speed, so I had to work harder to pass. Overall, though, I plan to start at the back again this year. Then again, I am not racing to win, just for fun, so I use the swim to warm up and I don’t want to be stressed that early.
Good question. I’d especially like any info on how to survive the IMCDA swim start. I’m thinking start in the back as well. I did that at IMF tho and still got pummeled. It didn’t really clear up until the second lap.
I think it depends on what type of swimmer you are and what your strategy for the swim is. In my case, I’m a very strong swimmer with a slow bike and a decent run. My goal is to get out ahead as far as possible. I’ve tried both center and outside. The center has worked much better for me and my strategy. However, if I was out there just for an easy swim I would probably hang back about 20 seconds or just take an outside line.
Keith showed me how to properly use a full wetsuit and the benefits were incredible.
I’m really curious what you are referring to?
I watched Michellie Jones do an in-water start. She begins with a very aggresive kick and fairly fast turnover before settling into her pace stroke. That generally keeps others away from her (besides her speed!)