The big meets are approaching and so is the open water swimming season with lifeguard training. At the same time, this means that many new triathletes have to go out and have their first experience of swimming in open water.
Swimming is usually one of the things that fills the mind, as most people have far less experience with swimming than with running and cycling. Open water swimming in particular can be a source of concern, as many are out in deep water, so to speak.
In relation to swimming in the swimming pool, there are some things that stand out about open water swimming. Some examples are:
- There may be electricity
- You have to navigate
- The insecurity of being far from the water's edge
Therefore, it is natural that many who are starting their first season as a triathlete and with little swimming experience in their luggage can worry about this. Besides open water swimming, can you take the first steps by training some things in the swimming pool? We ask the head coach:
Does it make sense to swim in your wetsuit in the swimming pool?
It absolutely works. There really is a big difference between swimming with and without a wetsuit. Roughly speaking, you can say that you don't need to be able to swim to be able to swim in a wetsuit.
The buoyancy of the suit means that one gets a better water balance. Precisely the water balance is something that many new triathletes spend a lot of time learning. When you put on a wetsuit, you will feel that your legs are no longer dragged along the bottom of the pool.
It will be common for you to experience that your swimming training goes from survival to enjoyment. You should train in a wetsuit in the swimming pool so that you get used to the effect of the wetsuit, so that you are comfortable with it when you use it in open water.
In addition, many will also find that they will be able to do more classic training in the wetsuit because they do not have to use the energy to overcome technical shortcomings, but instead can focus more on getting in good swimming shape.
As with cycling and running, it takes time to build good physical form. Therefore, you can advantageously use the wetsuit in your swimming training if you are very technically challenged (which most new triathletes are).
Please explain just what the washing machine is and if you can train it in any way?
"The washing machine" is a name triathletes call the swim start in a triathlon event.
For new triathletes it may seem illogical, but the start of a triathlon event is the most intensive part of a triathlon event.
It can feel totally transgressive to lie with others and feel like people are trying to swim over you while you're lying in the water. Here it is really important that you have prepared. You can prepare both in terms of the swimming technique, but the mental part is at least as important here.
First of all, it's super important to remember that everyone who takes part in a triathlon is there to have fun.
No one is out to ruin it for others. Everyone wants to have a good day. Reminding yourself of that fact can take away a lot of stress.
In addition, everyone in a meet is nervous about the start of the swim. It is not something that is reserved for new triathletes.
In addition, it is important to remember that even if there are 50 or 500 in the swim start, there can only be 4 around you – one in front, one behind and one on each side. So basically it doesn't matter how many people are in the swim start.
You can practice this part. Both in the swimming pool with others and when practicing open water swimming.
In the swimming pool, you must swim with a club, as other guests will probably be scared out of their wits. Typically, the swimming coach removes the course squares and then you practice the start.
In open water you can practice with your swimming buddies. It is important that you try to lie close, so that you experience the same as you will be able to experience at the "real" swimming starts!
Can you practice navigation in a swimming pool?
Yes, and it is something you should practice often.
Many new swimmers focus a lot on learning to breathe to each side. Instead, they should spend some energy learning to incorporate looking up as a natural part of their swimming rhythm. Read here more advice on how you can learn to swim crawl .
Are there other ways to prepare in the swimming pool?
If you are a triathlete, you should plan your swimming training after you want to be able to swim as well as possible in a triathlon.
The differences from swimming in a pool with Online lifeguard services USA and in a triathlon event in open water are cadence, strength, navigation and the fact that the distances in a triathlon are very long.

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