I love all the advice on here! I tried to remember all of these tips at Ironman cork this year. I had to resort to breaststroke because to the conditions to get over and sometimes through the waves for the first 500m. I actually remained calm and just keep going. I used a shortened stroke when using front crawl and short breaths when i could! On the turn because the current was so strong so i was fit to use a long glide. swim was over in no time!
Great content. I daily do a 2K OWS here on Maui. Airport Beach to Black Rock and back. Depending on the conditions OWS is very unpredictable. Being comfortable in the water coupled with making a quick adjustment to your stroke is very important. Breathing. Breathing. Breathing. Sometimes a very quick breath is all you get. Don’t panic. Be calm and confident in your abilities. Don’t lose the mental battle. You build confidence day by day. So blessed to be here on Maui. 💨💨🌊🌊🏊🏾♂️🏊🏾♂️🏊🏾♂️🏊🏾♂️
Some good advice - when we did research on SLSGB lifeguards vs pool swimmers we saw over 400m distance that surf LGs were 8% faster than pool swimmers on a south UK coast, when we took the same group to a N Cornwall beach we saw over 20% difference/ faster than pool swimmers - areas noted , technique- long open recovery arms, bigger rolls and also significantly you just need to be strong physically!!! Like a boat you need to maintain speed and use the wetsuit as a v gull of a boat
Needed this. Doing my first triathlon in 2 weeks. I live in Scotland and it's an open water sea swim in Edinburgh. I live in a coastal town at the moment and have tried a few times to practice my OWS at the local beach, but the water is just SO choppy all the time and I've really been struggling a lot. Thank you! ❤
Awesome video. Got my first open water tri in a few weeks and was dreading it. That last remark about looking at the water once it's been conquered was a big help.
I have my first triathlon coming up in July. The swim is the only part I’m not sure of. I can’t wait for the feeling of getting out of the water knowing I did it.
I did my first ever openwater swim 3 weeks ago. Actually wetsuit pushes your legs up. Felt more comfortable when i'm swimming with it. I tried to do the sighting every 5 or 6th stroke. What I learnt is not to panic and just swim, swim and swim step by step you will reach the destination. I also got a safety buoy which gives me confidence. Finally I feel ready for my triathlon in 2 weeks now finally. I couldnt swim 10m last year :D so all the best and believe what you can do ;)
Those 30cm waves felt yesterday like a tsunami in the lake. When I got out of the water I had to laugh how different it looked (serene, gentle waves). Also I am a beginner swimmer, so this video is really appreciated.
Great video and tips. I like the one about exaggerated sighting so you sight less - it's easy to miss the bouys! Tip 7: Keep calm! It can be very disconcerting with visibility is reduced. To help this focus on a full exhale so as not to shallow breath and build up CO2 in your lungs.
good Video. I did a triathlon last month and the sea was very choppy. It was my first experience swimming in a competition on this condition and I was definitely 20sec slower in the 100s! Will definitely follow those tips if it happens again and will practice in open water if I get the chance...
Fantastic video! Some really good tips here that will help me prepare for my first sea swim in Barcelona in October. Especially the idea of sighting once and effectively, rather than a few quick (ineffective) glances that slow you down. Also, gonna remember to swim like Dory :-) Thanks James.
I find myself getting dizzy sometimes when the sea is too choppy, similar to the sensation of being sea sick. This is made worse if I rotate my head further for each breath. Is there any way of getting round this?
What are the skills that apply to swimming breaststroke in rough or choppy water? What are the skills for managing chop that is traveling perpendicular to your stroke? Or chop that boxes you in from multiple directions? How do you breathe under those conditions?
Let us know down below if you found this video useful and what you’d like to see from us next! 💬
I love the mental challenge of some gnarly chop! It's good practice for staying calm and resolute when something tough comes up in life.
Totally agree
That's true, i absolutely agree
I love all the advice on here!
I tried to remember all of these tips at Ironman cork this year.
I had to resort to breaststroke because to the conditions to get over and sometimes through the waves for the first 500m.
I actually remained calm and just keep going.
I used a shortened stroke when using front crawl and short breaths when i could!
On the turn because the current was so strong so i was fit to use a long glide. swim was over in no time!
Great content. I daily do a 2K OWS here on Maui. Airport Beach to Black Rock and back. Depending on the conditions OWS is very unpredictable. Being comfortable in the water coupled with making a quick adjustment to your stroke is very important. Breathing. Breathing. Breathing. Sometimes a very quick breath is all you get. Don’t panic. Be calm and confident in your abilities. Don’t lose the mental battle. You build confidence day by day. So blessed to be here on Maui. 💨💨🌊🌊🏊🏾♂️🏊🏾♂️🏊🏾♂️🏊🏾♂️
I'd be scared of sharks AF mate...
Some good advice - when we did research on SLSGB lifeguards vs pool swimmers we saw over 400m distance that surf LGs were 8% faster than pool swimmers on a south UK coast, when we took the same group to a N Cornwall beach we saw over 20% difference/ faster than pool swimmers - areas noted , technique- long open recovery arms, bigger rolls and also significantly you just need to be strong physically!!! Like a boat you need to maintain speed and use the wetsuit as a v gull of a boat
Needed this. Doing my first triathlon in 2 weeks. I live in Scotland and it's an open water sea swim in Edinburgh. I live in a coastal town at the moment and have tried a few times to practice my OWS at the local beach, but the water is just SO choppy all the time and I've really been struggling a lot. Thank you! ❤
Awesome video. Got my first open water tri in a few weeks and was dreading it. That last remark about looking at the water once it's been conquered was a big help.
Glad to hear the video was helpful! Good luck with your first open water tri and be sure to let us know how it goes! 🙌
I have my first triathlon coming up in July. The swim is the only part I’m not sure of. I can’t wait for the feeling of getting out of the water knowing I did it.
I did my first ever openwater swim 3 weeks ago. Actually wetsuit pushes your legs up. Felt more comfortable when i'm swimming with it. I tried to do the sighting every 5 or 6th stroke. What I learnt is not to panic and just swim, swim and swim step by step you will reach the destination. I also got a safety buoy which gives me confidence. Finally I feel ready for my triathlon in 2 weeks now finally. I couldnt swim 10m last year :D so all the best and believe what you can do ;)
Those 30cm waves felt yesterday like a tsunami in the lake. When I got out of the water I had to laugh how different it looked (serene, gentle waves). Also I am a beginner swimmer, so this video is really appreciated.
This always cracks me up. I feel like I'm fighting for my life, but when I get out, the waves look pitiful lol
The swells and ebb currents scare me, and I’ve been in both. These are great tips!
Great video and tips. I like the one about exaggerated sighting so you sight less - it's easy to miss the bouys!
Tip 7: Keep calm! It can be very disconcerting with visibility is reduced. To help this focus on a full exhale so as not to shallow breath and build up CO2 in your lungs.
good Video. I did a triathlon last month and the sea was very choppy. It was my first experience swimming in a competition on this condition and I was definitely 20sec slower in the 100s! Will definitely follow those tips if it happens again and will practice in open water if I get the chance...
Great content, as always. Thanks for the tips. That said, it will be difficult getting my coach's voice out of my head:
"lengthen those arms!"
Fantastic video! Some really good tips here that will help me prepare for my first sea swim in Barcelona in October. Especially the idea of sighting once and effectively, rather than a few quick (ineffective) glances that slow you down. Also, gonna remember to swim like Dory :-) Thanks James.
Good luck in Barcelona Matt, you'll smash it for sure 🙌 Just keep swimming 🏊🏻
Great tips. I will use this
Thanks
I find myself getting dizzy sometimes when the sea is too choppy, similar to the sensation of being sea sick. This is made worse if I rotate my head further for each breath. Is there any way of getting round this?
How to swim parallel to the shoreline when the choppy waves come in diagonal or perpendicular?
Thank youuuuuuuuuuuu
Choppy water is character building..Perranporth extreme surf tri is the one to do 🤢🤪
Hey gtn did you know I have Tim Berkels Tt bike. It’s fast and butiful
Very nice! We're not jealous at all 👀
What are the skills that apply to swimming breaststroke in rough or choppy water? What are the skills for managing chop that is traveling perpendicular to your stroke? Or chop that boxes you in from multiple directions? How do you breathe under those conditions?
My biggest fear is falling victim to sea creatures I can't see.
If that factor would be left out, I would love this opportunity
shark💀