1. Different water Conditions
Whether you’re swimming in the sea, lake, or river, every open area is going to provide different challenges. You will likely feel temperature differences as you swim through the water. You will be faced with waves, under-currents, possibly weeds, unclear water, fish swimming, jelly fish waiting and so on. It’s best to learn about the area and understand if it’s safe to swim, what the hazards may be, and what is the temperature of the water. We explain this in the Safe Open Water blog.
2. Varying water Temperatures
Yes you’ve guessed it, it for sure isn’t going to be the pleasant temperature of the swimming pool. Open water temperature can depend on the altitude, the location, the size of the open water plus all previous weather conditions. If it rained a lot before, it’s most likely going to be colder. So before you swim, check the weather forecast and the water conditions so you can avoid swimming in rough water and be aware of any potential hazards. If you know the water is safe it’s a safe temperature, go for it, and have those warm clothes and hot drink ready for the exit!
In a triathlon race, for the safety of the competitors, the swim leg may be cancelled if the water temperature drops below 11 degrees (under the ITU competition rules), so this could be a good gauge to go by.
3. Limited vision
Having swum in numerous open-water lake and sea races (never a river!), we have experience swimming in dirty water that doesn’t allow you to see past your nose. One time at a race in a lake in the UK, I came out of the swim looking like a muddy weed! The best way to be prepared for different water conditions is to swim in as many different open water locations as possible so that you aren’t alarmed when this occurs.
Having said that, be safe when choosing your swimming zone. It can be quite dangerous to swim in an unknown place where you can’t see what’s beneath you. In triathlon races, it is a little different as it is in a controlled space with people in boats and kayaks closely watching swimmers. So research about where you intend to swim before you go.
TIP: one way to practice preparation for an open water swim in a swimming pool, is by closing your eyes whilst swimming. (if your lane is clear!) It becomes much more challenging to swim in a straight line and you might find that it is harder to balance and be sure of where you are. So give it a go a few times just to get used to a very odd feeling! You’ll also find that you’ll probably have to sight more during the race to be sure that you are swimming in the right direction.
4. Wind, waves and under-currents
Whether you’re swimming in the sea, lake, or river, every open area is going to provide different challenges. Some places might always be windy, therefore you will have some waves to contend with, even if it’s not the sea! Be aware that you might find it easy to swim out, but when you turn around you might get a shock with how windy it actually is and how much the wind or current is pushing you back. Do a short swim out and back at first to see if the wind or current is going to take more energy for your return swim so you can take this into consideration.
5. Fishes and other sea creatures
Yes it’s obviously a given that you’ll be in the company of other water animals in the open water. Stay aware, but don’t be alarmed, they are usually more scared than humans so they will most probably swim away from you. But hey if they don’t, I often kick a little harder to pass through them faster. The jellyfish on the other hand are not so clever, and will easily sting you if you swim into them. So, from experience, keep your eyes open and swim away from the jellyfish. Yes, repeat – away from the jellyfish.
6. Dizziness or a feeling of nausea
This is quite normal for some people and it can vary from location. Just take it steady. You’ll probably feel dizzy when you stop, so stay close to the side so you have something to grab onto near by. One trick to avoid this is to wear swimming ear plugs which should help eliminate this feeling. After having swam a few times in open water, you may feel like the dizziness eases off and it may just take some time for your body to get used to. Don’t panic, it’s totally normal and we have felt this too when first starting out.
Now you are a little more aware of what to expect when open water swimming, you can prepare for the best experience! Make sure you have all the right gear before you head out, and if you haven’t already read our open-water swim kit list and tips.
Let’s jump right in and find some fun and safe open-water swim zones so you can adventure out on the next big step of your triathlon journey!
