Nervous about returning to open water? Or just keen to get a jump on your training? Then there’s plenty you can do in the swimming pool now to prepare…
WORDS HELEN WEBSTER IMAGES REMY WHITING
Open-water swimming season may feel a long way away as this issue hits the shelves.
After all, February is usually the coldest month in UK waters, the domain of hardcore dippers and folk who do things like swim the Channel and carry pickaxes around to make holes in ice.
In reality though, things will soon start to warm up between now and Easter, and triathletes will typically head back to outdoor swimming from about April, with races starting in late May/early June. Smaller lakes and bodies of water will heat up quite quickly, too, once the days lengthen and air temps rise.
For now, most of you will still be doing the majority of your training in the pool and as the key to staying safe in cold water is to keep it short, that’s the correct thing to do if you’re looking for a decent chunk of training. But if you begin working on some open-water skills now, you’ll be in a much better position when it’s time to head outdoors again. Over the next few pages, we identify the three key areas to focus on based on your ability and experience, with something for everyone to incorporate. Ready? Let’s go…←
BEGINNER OPEN-WATER SWIMMER
Heading into your first season as an open-water swimmer? Then you may be feeling a little anxious.
But don’t worry, here’s where to start…
BEGINNER SKILL#1
RELAX
It might sound a bit basic, but one of the best things you can do as an open-water newbie is teach yourself how to relax. Once you enter an unfamiliar environment with all that entails your stress levels can go crackers – and with them, your control over your breathing. Next thing you know, you’re in no state to swim. So what to do?
Practising relaxing in the pool will give you the tools you need to be able to relax in open water. Take yourself through a short routine every time you swim: first enter the water calmly and then spend a little time aiming to get your breathing and heart rate as relaxed as possible. Drop your shoulders and try to reduce as much tension as you can.
Next, put your face in the water, either from standing or a sculling position, and calmly exhale, blowing bubbles with a long controlled exhale, then p
