Finally, in the triathlon world, we are starting to see some recognition of the differences between open water swimming and pool swimming and the differences in the techniques that each might require. So often, triathlon swim sessions are coached by swim coaches from a pure swim background. And also quite often, the swim workouts are taken from traditional swim training. Now we are seeing triathlon swim specific training that addresses both the longer aerobic developmental requirements as well as some coaches who have identified the techniques that are most effective for open water swimming.
A different focus for swim training
Most swim teams are training swimmers to race 50m to 400m. For a sprint distance triathlon, the swim portion is 750m and for an Ironman, 3800m. It stands to reason that the nature of the training should be different. Element Swim Training is structured more specifically to address the aerobic needs of triathletes. For more information, check out the program information under our "Race and Train" pages.
Open Water Swim Techniques
Unlike traditional swim racing, triathletes don't get a lane all to themselves nor do we normally race in a pool. An open water swim starts with a mass start of 50 to 3000 people. You be racing 750 to 3800m but the mass of people around you will be pushing you to your fastest 50m sprint time. And as soon as you put your face in the water, you're more likely to get a swift kick in the face than you are to get some nice smooth water to show everyone how smooth and long your glide out front has become since last season. "Front quadrant" swimming or any swimming style that focuses on a long, smooth glide out front to maximize front end propulsion is one style of swimming that is commonly considered to be efficient. This style has been touted to triathletes and new swimmers alike as an effective method to learn and to improve swim technique quickly, often over the course of a weekend. Now, top triathlon swim coaches are being recognized and many are proposing that an alternative stroke style featuring a higher elbow recovery and higher turnover might be more effective in open water swimming. Recall back to your last mass swim start or that last swim you did in choppy water. Under crowded and choppy conditions, the front end of your stroke is the first thing to get lost in the madness. As we find more resources that address this, we will post them here. Lava Magazine recently posted an article on the subject. Take a look at what one of the experts in the field says on the subject (there is also a really informative video which I strongly recommend).
Read more: click here to go read the complete article in Lava Magazine. Click here to read the complete article in Lava Magazine
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