open water swimming race

hi


i have entered my first open water swim race - and want to know the following

1) is your time likely to be slower or faster than you are in the pool? - pool you can push off each end....sea you are more bouyant and can keep rhythm...

2) ois it best to go full pelt or start slow and build up - the race is 1.4km....or should you save energy to the end and then go as fast as poss.


any other tips?!

Agree with dadda.


There are some pretty good swimmers at these races, and lots of not so good swimmers. Unless you are a super fast swimmer, then you have no idea where you fit into the field, I suggest you start on the far sides of the pack. This will help you avoid the madness at the beginning of being swum over by faster swimmers but equally keep you out of the way of slower swimmers. After the first 200-300 metres you should be in the clear and just able to swim without too much difficulty.


Remember to 'spot' while you swim (very frequently) or you'll do a lot more than 1.4km, and if you can draft off someone going a little faster than you (ie they pass you and you jump on thier feet) But do make sure you continue to spot to check they aren't leading you out to sea ha (by spot I mean cheak that you are heading exactly in the direction you want to be... biggest mistake most people new to sea swimming make is not checking frequently and adjusting... personally I like those people, especially if they are faster than me but swim half the way around the world and I beat them haha)


Just relax and enjoy it, pace yourself and if you feel like it start building slowly to a sprint after you pass the buoy which means you are now heading straight towards the beach. But maybe just try this race out for the feel of it and not worry about really racing and then go nuts next time =)


Hope you have fun