From pool to sea

gud4u

Hi,

I'm thinking of taking up open water swimming. I would be a reasonably good swimmer and it's always been my 'go to' sport when injured. I carry a lot of old injuries.

Anyhow, I haven't been swimming for a few months, do I need to build it up again before approaching the sea. I have just seen there is an open water club near me and I'd like to join but don't want to jump the gun.

I have been asked to do the swim leg of a triathlon in August as part of a team, but other than that, i'm not very interested in competition.

Would I be wasting my time trying to get into open water swimming if I just want to do it for leisure. Can I wear my small fins or is that cheating?

Is it a lot harder than pool swimming, i understand it's going to be much colder and choppier of course, although when there's aqua aerobics on in the pool and I'm doing lenghts, I'm not so sure:D

lorcan122

gud4u wrote: »

Hi,

I'm thinking of taking up open water swimming. I would be a reasonably good swimmer and it's always been my 'go to' sport when injured. I carry a lot of old injuries.

Anyhow, I haven't been swimming for a few months, do I need to build it up again before approaching the sea. I have just seen there is an open water club near me and I'd like to join but don't want to jump the gun.

I have been asked to do the swim leg of a triathlon in August as part of a team, but other than that, i'm not very interested in competition.

Would I be wasting my time trying to get into open water swimming if I just want to do it for leisure. Can I wear my small fins or is that cheating?

Is it a lot harder than pool swimming, i understand it's going to be much colder and choppier of course, although when there's aqua aerobics on in the pool and I'm doing lenghts, I'm not so sure:D

There is several questions in that post, I might miss a few so bear with me. You should probably start in the pool before you start open water swimming, just to get back into the feel of swimming, stretch the muscles a bit and get your technique back. I think once you feel comfortable, you should join the club. I think open water swimming is an excellent idea for leisure swimming, the main thing is it, is free! you could use fins no problem, it would stabilize you in the water and help you if you get tired and they would act as a small bit of security.

Open water swimming is harder because of the currents and that you can't stand at your leisure. But you will get used to it and build up your strength.

mad m

1.Nothing like Open water swimming
2.You will be naturally bouyant.
3.Yes it can be cold, but also refreshing.
4.Yes, please join a club (If you get the bug, you will have to be registered)
5.Remember when swimming in the sea, you can't just stand up.
6.Try and not go swimming alone, if you do stay near to shore.

Also I'd say go for the tri-competition, obviously if they asked you then you are good enough. Open water swimming can be choppy so no harm in getting in and getting a feel for it. You wont be able to use your fins in competition:), but no problem to build up your kick, just make sure they don't slip off....:D

gud4u

Hi,
Thanks,

The fins would only be for training and building up strength, also as a bit of security until I get more open water confidence.

I wouldn't swim alone which is why I want to join a club and I was looking at a light wetsuit today, the ones they wear in triathlons I think.

I'm in near the wexford club but definately will have to stretch into it again, I can't stress enough how little I want to compete for wins, those days are well over, my ambition is fun and completion of a course.

okane1

Just do it!!!

OW swimming is so much better than pool swimming. If you’re new to OW swimming, you probably won't be getting in the sea until May so you have plenty of time to get your stroke back in the pool.

You don't have to compete but it’s no harm to sign up for a swim. Most OW swims I do are not officially races, i.e. no prices!! The real price is finishing and been able to swim in some fantastic waters around Ireland.

Certainly you will not be wasting your time. In fact, if you stay in the pool during summer, you will then be wasting your time . OW swimming is like running on a treadmill vs the road!

By all means use fins. People don't mind, they are happier to have another OW swimmer with them. Remember safety in numbers.

Certainly swimming in OW is not harder than the pool but more challenging. Once you take your time, don't panic and swim straight, you will be fine.

gud4u

Doing it:D

Have physio and a pool session today.....;)

kris71

Refreshing... yeah think positive but by all means true, no coffee or energy drink will wake you up so quickly, great cure for a hangover too

As it has been said already most of the OW races are 'for fun' sure you will get a number, place and time, but there is no pressure, everyone is a winner (unless you drown or something, unlucky )

Wet-suits used in tri are same as in swimming, although Irish ow swimmers are usually pure hardcore and don't use wet-suits at all, in tri there is a regulation regarding water temperature and use of a wet-suit (If water temp is below 17 (+/-one I'm not 100% sure) wet-suits are compulsory, never really goes above that in Ireland so you can easily say that they are compulsory in general).

So if you are aiming for triathlons then getting a wet-suit is a good idea, for swimming ow races you can save your money as you won't like to be the only one wearing one the way I see it %)

gud4u

Jeez, I don't know if I could hack wetsuitless, i'm a total wimp in the cold, can't hack it at all. I used to wear a wetsuit all year around when I was younger. Used to do loads of watersports. I had the misfortune of hypothermia and have always run colder since then, I think I just have a fear of that again:eek: so I'II have to jump back in to prove it to myself, nothing like a good pier or cliff jump to get the old adrenaline pumping.

I'm going to a meet on Sunday and will take it from there. Thanks for the tips.

kris71

Bring the wet-suit with you then, you will see what the situation is once you'll get there, nothing wrong in having one and swimming in it. No one will be pointing you out or making silly jokes over it (well maybe a few jokes but usually not pointed at you just on wet-suits in general ) I say the longer you will stay in a wet-suit the harder it will be to go back to the roots but i'm not an expert on that matter so don't quote me on that one anyway just have fun, to be honest your first time without a wet-suit will hardly be anywhere close to swimming, survival would be more accurate word, a tip I heard from one of the pros: if you can't touch your small finger with your thumb its time to get out of the water, make sense in my case I was actually pushing it to get to this stage on my first few times as I was ready to hop out after 3-5 minutes, and it wasn't much cooler then it is now so don't be surprise if you will just hang around for 5 minutes and be 110% ready to go out. Some say its best to take a few minutes out and go back in, I wouldn't recommend it for the first time tho. Oh and one more thing this is probably one of a few sports where it helps to be fat :P Good luck and talk to the lads from my experience they are usually very friendly and will be more then happy to answer your questions. Good luck

gud4u

No problem, I'm certainly not skinny, but hopefully won't cause a whale watching convention either:D. I'II go tommorow and see how it is.

Thanks again.