You have several major decisions to make as a triathlete, and a big one is whether to sign up for a race with a pool swim or an open-water swim. If you’ve been weighing your options, you might be wondering which is better for you. Today I will guide you through this decision so you can be prepared and certain about one more thing on race day.
Swimming Ability
The largest factor determining whether or not you can potentially do an open-water swim is your swimming ability. If you consider yourself a beginner, I’d almost certainly recommend a pool swim. Pool swims are far safer as you can stand up or grab onto the lane line or wall if you need to rest or need to get out.
Even if you think you’ll be fine, keep in mind that a race is completely different from the training swims you are used to at your local pool. Lanes will be crowded, you’ll potentially be snaking the pool(swimming up one lane, then back down in the next, then up in the next, and so on), and it will be very loud with lots of splashing going on. Some people swim aggressively, unfortunately, so there might be someone tugging on your ankle or accidentally hitting you.
Even as an experienced swimmer, I have to focus very hard on staying calm during triathlon swims because of how crowded and stressful it can be. I’m not trying to discourage you from doing it, but try to be prepared for what’s coming.
Lake or River or Ocean
If you’re still considering an open-water swim, great! Now let’s see what body of water you’ll be most comfortable in. Lake swims are the easiest, as they have the smallest waves and currents. It’s similar enough to swimming in a pool, with the additional requirement that you sight for the buoy. Sighting is when you lift your head after you breathe just enough to see the buoy, and then put your head back down. Check out this video from GTN for more on sighting.
River swims are, to my knowledge- as I haven’t done one yet- similar to ocean swims. There is a current and some small waves, so swimming upstream will be harder than swimming downstream. I’d certainly recommend trying a lake swim before a river or ocean swim.
Ocean swims are generally the hardest, as you have both waves and a current to deal with. Sighting can be harder, you will probably be running into the waves to start, so it’s overall a more difficult swim. You want to make sure you are completely comfortable with both swimming and the ocean before you attempt one of these.
Wetsuits
It’s important to remember that open-water swims come with the possibility of needing a wetsuit. Now, if your race is in the middle of the summer, it will probably be too warm to need one, but if you race in the spring or fall, it’s up to Mother Nature.
Wetsuits can be a little pricey, especially on top of the other things you have already bought for your race, so going with a pool swim to avoid them is understandable. If you do think you might need one, make sure to check for used wetsuits or rentals.
Remember to try it on beforehand and practice taking it on and off, even going for a swim in it is a good idea. It will make you a little more buoyant in the water, so swimming will feel a little different.
What Races Are Available to You
Finally, you need to look at what races are available to you in your area. Pool swims tend to be in the sprint category, so to do anything longer you’ll likely have to do an open-water swim. You may find exceptions to this near you, if so, go for it!
How to Train for An Open Water Swim in a Pool
You might be thinking, “I can swim really well, but I’ve only ever swam in a pool. How could I learn to swim in open water?” Well, it’s pretty easy with a little trick. The most vital thing for your pool to open water journey is practicing sighting in a pool. As we talked about earlier, sighting is essential for open water swimming so you can see the buoys and know what direction to swim in.
To practice this, get in your local pool, and set a water bottle or a kickboard or something big enough that you can see it well on the edge of the pool, directly in front of you. Now, when you’re swimming in the direction of the item, our faux buoy, you will lift up your head(after you breathe to the side like normal) just enough to spot the item, and then put your head back down.
It’s almost like a sweeping motion, sweeping from one side with your eyes, to the top, then back down into the water.
Conclusion
Now that you know all about pool vs. open water swimming, hopefully, you can make an informed decision about what’s best for you on your triathlon journey. If you need any advice or have any questions or comments, feel free to message me at thevegantriathleteblog@gmail.com, or fill out my contact form on the Contact page. Good luck, and happy racing!
