I grew up about as far away from the ocean as you can get. That said, I have now spent the majority of my adult life an easy drive away from one ocean or another. Still, I have been a wimp when it comes to doing my open water swimming in salt water. Given the choice, I prefer the tranquility of a pond. Some of the races I am eyeing involve an ocean swim though and I hate to rule them out simply because of that. So, I used the pool closures this summer as an opportunity to dive in and get a little more comfortable in the ocean. Here’s what I learned.
No Substitute for the Real Thing
My first race was in the ocean, but all my training had been in the pool or a freshwater pond. Boy, did I get a surprise the first time my mouth filled with salt water and a wave swept me back toward the shore. I swore I would only sign up for freshwater races after that. As time wore on and I faced more of my fears, I started to work toward getting back in the ocean. This time, I was going to be more prepared. At least some of your training has to be in the salt water. My pond is lovely, but there is no chop, no waves, and no salt. Those are all things that can throw you off and ruin the swim. Like anything, you can learn to handle them with practice.
Swim with Teammates
This year, I got the opportunity to do some swimming with more experienced teammates. The company made me feel safer, but it also pushed me. I wanted to keep up with them, within my limits, so I had to keep my putting my face back in the water and moving forward. They made it so fun that I actually looked forward to getting in the water and doing my weekly session in the ocean. The local triathlon and open water swim community can help you find people who will show you new places to swim and help you learn new skills. Check with local clubs or for groups on Facebook.
Safety First
Safety is important and I find that if I think of that first, it is easier to focus on the swimming. Brightly colored swim buoys make you easy to spot in the water. This is great if you are going to be around boats but can also help the people you are swimming with check on you easily when they are breathing. As a bonus, you can rest on them as necessary. A wetsuit can help with the cold factor, but also makes you more buoyant. That little boost can make a big difference if you are worried about staying afloat.
Have Fun
Training is hard work, but it should also be fun. Including social time, enjoying the beach at sunrise or floating on your back should be part of it as well. Make is silly or find something to look forward to in order to make things a little more interesting. Not every day is going to be exciting, but having something to look forward to makes it a little easier to get out the door.