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How to know when you are ready to start open water swimming?
Leaving the comfort of a warm pool where you can see the bottom to dark deep water with waves and wind to contend with is completely different.
If you can swim half the distance in a pool without touching the ends making u –turns which is physically demanding then you can cover twice the distance in open water with a wet suit without any difficulty.
If in doubt, swim close to the side or edge or where you can stand up.
Things you must practise in the swimming pool before opening water swimming.
You must be able to relax and swim on your back should you get tired. You will not be able to stand up in open water.
Tread water in the deep end of a swimming pool for 1-2 minutes should be practised.
You may need this skill to stop take a breath, cough up water you may have swallowed, re group, communicate with others, re-adjust your goggles, or get a better sighting before continuing.
Feel comfortable swimming breast stroke as an alternative to front crawl.
Know how to sight (lift head and look ahead to aim for the correct direction).
Cough out into the water, to expel a gulp of water you may have accidently taken in when breathing.
When your mind is ready to swim open water then you are.
The goggles you use in open water must be tried and tested in the pool before hand, avoid making the mistake of tightening them up to make them seal better they will not and you will probably change the shape of the goggles and they will leak.
You should never think you are ready to swim in open water because.....
The water is getting warmer
It’s nice and sunny and it looks inviting.
Others are now swimming in open water.
You are the one that has to be ready not the conditions or because others can.
Be Safe, be Seen, Let others know where you are, Never swim alone.
This web site is not repsonible for accidents injury or death by using the above tips
Be sensible be safe & do not take risks, you only have one life!