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The Importance of Open Water Swim Training

17/08/2011 5:56:55 AM

Open water swimming is a key part of triathlons yet most triathletes train 100% in a pool. This does not prepare you for the challenges of swimming with many people in an open and unstructured environment. Balmoral Triathlon Club has open water swim sessions that should be a key part of your training.

By Keith Jones

 

When we partake in running or cycling we do so in an everyday environment we are familiar with, where under exertion our breathing is unrestricted and where we have the option to stop at anytime should we get into difficulty. With swimming however, we do so in an alien environment of the water, where unfettered breathing does not occur and the option to stop does not remove us from the stressful environment when things can and do go wrong. 

 

“A triathlon that starts in open water is not the same thing as practicing in a pool, even if you’re an accomplished swimmer in a pool,” said Neal Henderson, director of sport science at the Boulder Centre for Sports Medicine in Colorado.

 

“You have the anxiety of a mass start,” Henderson said, “you’re wearing a wetsuit, you have people kicking you in the face, maybe then you swallow some water or start to hyperventilate and you could get into a panic situation. If you’ve never done it before, it’s even worse.”

 

The only answer to this problem is to become more familiar with the environment of open water swimming, which means spending more time in the water: becoming comfortable swimming in close proximity to other competitors, and the ability not to panic when dealing with incidents, such as collisions, kicks to the face, or losing goggles.

 

The Balmoral Open Water Swim Session held each Saturday at 3.00pm to 4.00pm from the club house in Balmoral is an excellent opportunity to become more comfortable with this environment.  I for one have found this session has helped me become much more relaxed come race day, anxiety levels are reduced and nervous energy is not wasted.  Besides the open water swim is a great work out with Bern coaching and one of the most social sessions of the week with obligatory stop at the Boat Shed Cafe for some “Apres-Swim”.

 

 

 

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