Transferring pool training to the sea

topper75

I'm not fond of the cold and have only lately ventured into the sea this year. I wear a wetsuit to mitigate this.

I trained fairly hard over the winter and spring months in the pool and feel happy that I have vastly improved my freestyle stamina, technique, and speed as a result. I am a way better swimmer than I was last summer. Not yet a Phelps, but I am really enjoying it on my own terms. :pac:

My trouble is this - I find the feel of swimming in the cold salty sea in a wetsuit totally different to wearing speedos in a warm chlorinated pool. My body is in a totally different position due to the neoprene and salt. The legs seem to refuse to sink at all and I am on the verge of kicking air. The cold dominates my mind and hinders any concentration on smoothness and balance and I find myself falling back to my old bad habits of 'fighting' the water. I feel the pool work has been somehow 'undone'. It's as if I have started anew with a completely different pursuit in seaswimming!

I don't know if I have expressed all this very well, but I would like to ask if any other swimmers have experienced such difficulty with the transition or if any of you have tips on adjusting stroke to the sea conditions?

hunnymonster

yes it's a big adjustment. Some people make it effortlessly, and some of us really struggled. You'll have to find the technique that works for you. I found just spending time in the water (without swimming) great. I gt used to the different feel, temperature and view beofre putting pressure on myself to actually go anywhere. You didn't expect huge improvements instantly in the pool, no reason to expect them in the OW.

Killgore Trout

What type of wetsuit OP?

topper75

hunnymonster wrote: »

You didn't expect huge improvements instantly in the pool, no reason to expect them in the OW.

This makes sense - thanks hunnymonster.

Killgore Trout wrote: »

What type of wetsuit OP?

It's a Zoot Fusion Killgore.
Last summer, I used a Billabong surfing wetsuit, but I wasn't looking to swim properly as such, just fighting my way out to some buoy and back.

This summer, having learned to swim 'properly' over the winter, I want to get some proper LD training in and invested in a dedicated swimming wetsuit. I don't regret that. The extra flexibility around the arms helps, not to mention much easier to remove!

Maybe I'll try lifting the head a little tonight to sink the legs.

Killgore Trout

Same wetsuit as me - I initially found the legs too buoyant, It is possible to get used to to it. Think looking forward a little more rather than lifting your head