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How to judge the distance swimming open water?
This is actually an easy to answer question.
You also need to consider the following external factors when swimming in open water. Tides and currents wind direction swell and surf will dramatically alter your swimming pace compared to a swimming pool.
If you are slow at turning in a pool, poor tumble technique or do not push off then you may find swimming in open water much easier.
Many swimmers good at turning can be 10-20 seconds quicker in a short course pool (25m) compared to swimming in a 50m (pool) because there are less turns to gain time.
Some swimming pools are quicker than others & the edges of the pool are bevelled and the lane ropes if they are e spiral shaped dissipate waves, this makes the surface much smoother than just rope with a few floats.
For many people it is much easier to swim up and down in a swimming pool compared to sighting and swimming in a straight line in open water.
For others open water swimming helps you cover the distance with less effort and in less time.
Every person is different I personally swim faster in open water compared to a swimming pool & much faster if using a wet suit. Many people are 3 to 10% slower in open water.
What does this mean?
For example if you take 1 minute 40 seconds to swim 100m (100 seconds)
So for every 100 seconds you swim in a swimming pool expect to take 103 to 110 seconds in open water
Water temperature also makes a huge difference to swimming performance. The less body fat a person has the warmer they prefer the water to be for swimming.
Cold water is denser & generally slower for swimming because the muscles have to work harder.
Triathlon wet suits.
A lot of people swim much faster using a wet suit (provided it fits correctly and is the correct one for your body type)
Many wet suit materials are more flexible in warmer water.
Salt Water
Salt water has a specific average weight of 1.03. taking into consideration Archimedes principle an immersed body is 30g (28g equals an ounce) lighter for each litre of water it displaces so a human will be about 2 kilos (2.2046lbs) lighter in salt water.
I believe that salt water also feels 3-5 degrees warmer than fresh water.
Four ways of working out the distance you travel when swimming in open water.
#1
You should know how far you travel at various effort levels.
For example know your speeds for the distance you travel easy medium or hard.
Example triathlete A
Easy pace takes 8 minutes: 15 seconds for 400m (Pool)
Medium Pace takes 7 minutes: 45 seconds for 400m (Pool)
Race Pace takes 7 minutes: 15 seconds for 400m (Pool)
Time your swim if you know what effort your swam then you can easily work out the distance travelled.
#2 swims along the bank coast line from one landmark to another.
Simply then measure with a GPS system form dry land how far you are likely to have covered.
#3
Count the number of strokes you take to swim 100m in a swimming pool then divide the number of strokes you swim by this number to give you an approximate distance covered in open water.
For example if you take 100 strokes to cover 100m if you take 1,000 strokes in open water then you are likely to have covered about 1,000 metres.
DO NOT ASK ME IS THIS RIGHT OR LEFT HAND OR BOTH? WHATEVER YOU COUNT IS WHAT YOU TAKE. I personally take 100 strokes left and right, so do not compare my stroke count with yours we are all different.
If the waves are rough you may take more strokes for the same distance compared if the conditions were calm
NO NEED TO TELL ME YOU TAKE MORE OR LESS we are all different. The more confident you are at open water swimming the closer the gap (time it takes and strokes for the distance) between you swimming in a swimming pool and open water.
If you want to be more accurate with how far you have swam then you have totally missed the point of open water swimming.
Learn to swim with confidence swim in a straight line rather than distance.
#4
Use a water proof GPS like the Swim Bike Run Garmin 910XT.
#5
Place your GPS in a waterproof bag then place under swim cap.
For extra protection put another swim cap on top.
IronMate cannot be held responsible for this idea because if your bag is not waterproof you risk damaging your GPS system.
Swimming in a straight line is your number one priority after making sure it is safe to swim in the area you plan on swimming.
Do not neglect swim drills even if using a wet suit.
Never swim alone.
Swim in designated areas.
Always wear a bright coloured swim cap to be more visible.
AVOID swimming near to surfers, speed boats and Jet Ski users etc
Any form of open water swimming or water sports has its risks
IronMate is not responsible for injury, illness death or loss to you or anyone else, or for personal belongings because you went open water swimming.
Open Water swim examples
Get into water and get use to the water temperature
Tread water for 30 seconds.
Stay close to an area where you can stand up.
Warm up
Take 100 strokes
Tread water for approximate 15 seconds or count to 20.
Main set
Option #1
Swim 100 strokes tread water for count of 20
Swim 200 strokes tread water for count of 20
Swim 300 strokes tread water to count of 20
Swim 200 strokes tread water for count of 20
Swim 100 strokes tread water for count of 20
Cool down
Swim 100>200 Easy strokes
Option #2
Swim between 2 buoys count strokes tread water for count of 20 then swim back compare strokes you took each way.
Repeat until you have been swimming for 15 minutes
Cool down
Swim 100>200 Easy strokes.