Training in the open water is a must for any triathlete looking to make the plunge into open water triathlons. The experience of swimming in an open body of water cannot be simulated in a pool. Inexperienced triathletes must train to swim with limited vision, sighting every few strokes for guidance instead of following the tiled line at the bottom of the pool. New triathletes with claustrophobic tendencies may feel constrained while swimming in their wetsuits. The feeling of darkness below and unknown creatures lurking in the water can cause concern too. These fears can be overcome with practice! Find an open body of water to test your skills. Expect to be much more confident on race day with a handful of open water swims under your belt.
BEWARE – Use common sense when practicing in the open water. Use caution rather than risk. Below are some essential tips that can be useful when learning to swim in the open water.
- Warm-up before you take the plunge. Just like you would at the pool, it is important to loosen up your muscles and get the blood moving. The water temperature is often colder than what you are accustomed to at the pool. Warming up allows your body to be a little looser before you start your swim.
- Stay on course. Remember, there are no lane lines on the bottom of the lake. Look for landmarks to guide you before you swim and be sure to look for your chosen landmark every few strokes, just to be sure you are headed in the correct direction. Some recommend first looking forward to sight, bringing only your eyes out the water then placing your head back in and taking your breath to the side as you normally would. Experiment to find a technique that works best for you.
- Base your workout on time spent, not on how far you think you have gone. Distance may be impossible to gauge unless you have a GPS device.
- Stay near the shore at all times. The only exception to this rule is when you have a boat, kayak, or canoe following you.
- Always swim in the open water with a buddy.
- Make yourself visible with a bright-colored swim cap.
- Draft off other swimmers. Following bubbles in the water is a good indication that you have someone swimming in front of you. This is good! Swimming in someone else’s slipstream will make your swimming easier. Practice drafting off of other people in the open water so that you are used to it on race day.
- Practice relaxing while swimming. The beginning of the swim can be very chaotic in a triathlon. Take time to focus on relaxing and calming your nerves. If you do find yourself in a panic situation, find a way to keep afloat to regain your composure. Do the breaststroke for a while, or tread water until you feel comfortable again.
Below are four swimming holes triathletes frequent.
Pineview Reservoir
From I-15 in Odgen, exit at 12th Street, to Highway 39, 6 miles to the dam where you cross over the dam.
Drive for approximatly 1.25 miles. There will a parking lot on the right.
Bountiful Lake
From I-15 exit in Centerville and head east to Main Street. Turn right on Main (south bound) to Pages Lane. Turn right on Pages Lane (west bound) and continue to the city dump. Prior to the dump entrance is a short dirt road leading to the lake parking lot.
Prime swimming is located on the west end of the lake.
East Canyon
From Salt Lake City, take I-80 east to exit 134 (Highway 65) to reservoir. A dirt parking lot exsits on the nothern end of the reservor.
Utah Lake
From Saratoga Springs, take highway 68 approximatly 4.75 miles south to the Pelican Bay boat ramp.
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