Creating balanced & energetic lives, one workout & meal at a time!

First let me start by saying thanks to all participants it was great to work with you all. Special shout out to Mike G, Michi, & Scott Hub in the boats, I can’t remember seeing a better looking group of paddlers! I really enjoyed this clinic, probably more than any other swim clinic I’ve held. This is what endurance sports are all about, great people, new friends, & personal improvement!

Here are the universal points to work on for open water success:

Head Position- Keep your eyes looking down at all times unless you are sighting or breathing. When you sight, don’t lift your head to breathe unless you have a wave or visual obstruction. Breathe on your side smooth and quick and get that head back to center. Keep your head relaxed and stable while your body rolls.

Pull/Stroke- It is utterly critical to pull straight back with your finger tips pointing down, and push your hand to your hip with every stroke in open water (your palm on the thumb side should brush the side of your hip). Do not let waves, sighting, or other swimmers interfere with a complete stroke. Stay balanced and keep your stroke long with a high cadence (practice this during your long sets in the pool).

Drafting- Remember that drafting in a swim with a group or single swimmer not only helps break the water in front of you, but it also allows you to sight less often. Just make sure that the group that your following is on course. Search for a solid group during your races.

Sighting- The key to staying on course is to find landmarks to sight on instead of just using the race buoys. Practice sighting during your pool swims during intervals over 300 yards. Sight a couple of time per length. Notice that your heart rate will rise, become more efficient so that it won’t rise dramatically.

Please leave feedback and share this post with your fellow athletes!

Cheers,

Eric