BY William Parry
Swimming straight in open water demands technical proficiency, situational awareness, and adaptability to environmental conditions. Try out these techniques to enhance your ability to stay on course and enjoy a more successful swim in open water.
Swimming straight in open water isn’t just about physical endurance and technique; it’s a skill that demands adaptability and strategy amidst unpredictable elements. Whether competing in a triathlon or simply enjoying a recreational swim, mastering the art of staying on course can significantly enhance your experience and performance.
Open water presents many challenges that can throw even the most seasoned swimmers off course. Currents, choppy waters, and the presence of other swimmers all contribute to the complexity of swimming straight. These variables can cause you to veer off your intended path, potentially increasing the overall distance and wasting precious energy.
Techniques to Swim Straight
To lessen these challenges, there are several techniques you can employ:
Sighting: This technique involves lifting your head out of the water periodically to look forward and assess your alignment with a landmark. Whether it’s a buoy, a tree on the shore, or a distant building, sighting helps you make minor adjustments to stay on track without veering off course. It’s crucial to practice sighting efficiently without disrupting your stroke rhythm.
Bilateral Breathing: Developing the ability to breathe on both sides promotes balanced stroke mechanics and ensures that you maintain a straighter path. Uneven breathing often leads to asymmetrical strokes, causing unintended drifts to one side.
Hand Entry and Alignment: To minimize resistance and maintain a steady course, enter your hand directly in front of your shoulder and extend it forward in a streamlined manner. This technique helps to cut through water efficiently, reducing the likelihood of swaying off course due to ineffective strokes.
Hip Rotation: Engaging your core muscles to rotate your hips with each stroke enhances your stroke power and improves overall balance. Balanced hip rotation counteracts the natural tendency to favor one side, allowing you to swim straighter.
Practice in Open Water: Familiarity with open water conditions is crucial. Regularly swimming in lakes, rivers, or oceans allows you to acclimate to factors such as waves, currents, and wind. Experience in these environments sharpens your ability to adjust your stroke and maintain a consistent path despite external influences.
Use of Landmarks: Whenever possible, swim parallel to shorelines or along visible landmarks. This visual reference provides a reliable guide to help you stay oriented and swim a direct route.
Advanced Techniques and Tips
Beyond the basics, these advanced techniques can further refine your ability to navigate open water:
Stroke Rate: Increasing your stroke rate can help to maintain momentum and counteract drift caused by external factors like currents or waves.
Arm Recovery: Opt for a wider, straighter arm recovery to avoid catching your hand in choppy waters or amidst other swimmers. A smoother recovery contributes to a more efficient stroke cycle.
Head Positioning and Sighting: Sighting efficiently involves lifting your eyes just above the water’s surface to see what’s ahead without disrupting your body position. To prevent unnecessary drag that could slow you down or cause your legs to sink, maintain a neutral head position while sighting.
Drafting: In competitive settings, drafting off the feet or hips of other swimmers reduces resistance and conserves energy. This technique requires skill and situational awareness to avoid collisions and maintain a legal distance.
Harnessing Technology for Straighter Swimming
In addition to the above techniques, technology — like FORM’s new SwimStraight™ feature — can help you conserve energy, save time, and feel confident in open water. SwimStraight delivers navigational feedback via an innovative digital compass and can be easily viewed and referenced in real-time with Smart Swim 1 and 2 goggles.
By mastering the above techniques, you can enhance your ability to stay on course, improve efficiency, and enjoy a more successful swim — whether in competition or leisurely exploration of open waters. Regular practice and experience in varied conditions are key to honing these skills and becoming a more confident swimmer in open waters.
