Swim training in the ocean is the only way to get ready for some of the big races. You really need to experience the elements before going full-bore come race day. You will feel the waves crashing, the buoyancy in salt water, and spot the occasional stray fish (we’ll just say fish for now). To ease some minds, here are some open water safety tips for ocean swimming for our dedicated Kona Square community.
Location – Scout out a good location. Swim near lifeguard towers. If you’re unsure, stop off at a local ocean rescue office to talk to the experts. Stay far, far away from beach fishermen, surfing areas, and piers. Find a comfortable depth where there are no drop-offs, reefs, or rocks in the water. Ask other swimmers where they frequent.
Weather – Plan ahead. Don’t go out on the windiest of days, with red hazard flags across the beach. Check your local beach conditions on the web. Check for hazard flags at the lifeguard towers before you enter the water. They are very informative and will keep you safe from dangerous conditions.
Restrooms – We’re talking about actual restrooms. Use them before going swimming. There is an oddly known fact that sharks are attracted to sewage and human waste. Do yourself (and everyone else) a favor; stay on the safe side and use a restroom.
Stay Relaxed – Get acclimated to the water. Start by treading water. The more comfortable you feel, the more relaxed your stroke will be. This means you’ll be taking long, reaching strokes, rather than short, panicked, doggy-paddle strokes.
Bilateral Breathing – Make sure you breathe on both sides. Get used to it, because bilateral breathing can make your training so much easier. It is recommended to always breathe towards the shore, while timing your breaths between waves. This way, it can save you from having a mouth full of salt water instead of air. Not refreshing!
Sighting – No, not a shark sighting! Sighting is the act looking up while swimming in an effort to maintain your course. This is key when training so you don’t waste strokes swimming in a zig-zag path. It is nearly impossible for a swimmer to keep a straight line between buoys during a race. There are multiple ways to sight during a race which we’ll cover in detail in our next blog post.
Swim in Groups – Safety in numbers, right? Well, yes. But also, it helps in other ways. You’ll swim with more effort in a group, feel more comfortable with others around you, be able to draft other swimmers, and closely simulate race conditions. Come race day, you’d better be used to having other swimmer’s arms and legs flailing around you creating turbulence under water!
Practice Often – Practice your stroke, sighting, and endurance.
Best of luck in your training and your next race. Feel free to ask questions or offer feedback and tips in the comment section below.
Keep improving your technique and time and be on the look-out for great deals on triathlon gear at Kona Square!
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