How To Sight In Open Water Swimming!

[@gtn]

Do you place emphasis on sighting in your training ? Let Us Know Below 👇

[@luammerces2461]

I'm very confident swimming in the pool and today I almost died trying to swim in open water cause that was my first time and I thought it was the same thing, I panicked cause I started thinking about the depth of the water and couldn't see the buoys 😑. Somebody had to secure my, nobody understood how a confidant and good swimmer like me could be in that position 🤦🏽‍♂️ but I'll keep practicing

[@MinhNguyenTao]

Keep going. You will be much better on the second time

[@luammerces2461]

@@MinhNguyenTao oh thank you so much, yes I've been practicing a lot of open water technic in the pool ❤️

[@kennethknowles6253]

Thank you for this informative video/lesson. Sighting is my swimming weakness. My key takeaway is sight first, then breath…and don’t drink the water!

[@gtn]

Glad the video was helpful! Keep going, practice makes perfect! What would you like us to do a video on next? 👀

[@hurricane7800]

It’s like you guys got the memo I just signed up for my first triathlon….. the last two weeks I’ve thought of a question and two hours later I discover a brand-new video on it!

[@gtn]

Amazing! Good luck in your preparation, we're sure you'll smash it!

[@hurricane7800]

@@gtn Thank you, I can’t wait! And a case in point: my current goal is to get my 5k time consistently under 25’. Then just a day or two ago…. A new GTN video about getting a 25’ 5k - you guys rock! 😀

[@triciahickey2584]

I want a Garmin gadget that beeps when I'm off course. 😊

[@EdwindeJong0]

One thing to be conscious of when sighting are the currents. You can win very valuable time by taking this into account as it will prevent zigzagging. This is especially noticeable in the sea, where tides and waves play an important role. So, if there is a current of 3 km/h coming from the right, and you swim 5 km/h, you should actually navigate 31 degrees into the direction of the current instead of for the buoy! Lastly, you can use the direction of the waves to 'guide' you as an additional input so you have to sight less.

[@dennisalters702]

For seniors with back problems arching to get a sighting frequently results in pain. I’m experimenting with alternatives even if it slows my time

[@booklover8548]

Thanks for this! So far, have prioritized breathing in my practice, to improve my freestyle. But during 1st race 2days ago, inability to sight well was biggest problem. Today, watched cph ironman, saw some pretty poor technique (was paying particular attention to breathing & sighting). My ambition doesn't stretch beyond a few 100m, but even so, I will prioritize sighting from now on.

[@TheDomLouis]

Just doing an STA Open Water Swimming Coaching course with Keri-Ann Payne right now. This is useful!

[@gtn]

You're welcome, glad we could be helpful!

[@tomasvalve930]

This is for sure my next level in swimmiing. Need to practice.

[@Aeronwor]

On my first open water event I swam out from between the two lines of boats lining the course, only noticing when I was a couple of hundred meters out.

[@79devo]

Sounds like the 70s Generation Game when Brucie used to say … “and that’s all there is to it ..” 😁

[@sarahtown6105]

when sighting, do you breathe to the same side every time or opposite sides? trying to figure out the coordination of it all! I'm used to breathing to different sides every three strokes in the pool. Just did an open water sprint tri two days ago and I was for sure not sighting properly... just sort of made it up as I went and there was much effort spent and lots of weaving :p

[@maemilev]

At choppy waters, those who did well in open water all are good breastrokers. Do a frog kick with a dolphin kick in open water to breast sight faster and easier. Transition from free to breast to dolphin and free. Emphasizing on the kick here. Top 3 finisher here. Sighting every 10 stroke here. Hehe ^.^

[@JimCullen]

I try sighting the way you describe, but far too often fails because the buoy is too far away to see clearly, or because a wave comes to block it.

[@inz_uzi]

Sighting doesn't slow me down. I'm too slow without sighting. 🤣

[@79devo]

I have seen some very off-course swimmers at events 😁

[@deanb61]

I've just done Barcelona Ironman, my watch says that I swam 4,550m :( I think I might need to improve my sighting :)

[@WellingtonMartins26]

Wow, congratulations! I'm trying to get my first kilometer, just swimming in the pool

[@deanb61]

@WellingtonMartins26 it's easier to cover distance in the open water. With a decent swim wetsuit you almost float, so all you have to do is paddle yourself forwards.

[@cristiansan]

is VERY DIFFICULT!! Is very different open waters than a pool. Specially because I cant see anything in open waters :)

[@Pebbsi_official]

I can swim in open waters, but im afraid that I make a mistake and will drown Because water physics is too bizarre, sometimes you swim easily, and sometimes you literally a brick