{"id":1109,"date":"2019-10-30T08:00:41","date_gmt":"2019-10-30T08:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.masterspas.com\/blog\/?p=1109"},"modified":"2020-02-18T13:56:33","modified_gmt":"2020-02-18T13:56:33","slug":"open-water-swimming-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.masterspas.com\/blog\/open-water-swimming-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Water Swimming Tips to Have Your Best Race"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Inside tricks from Pro Triathlete Mirinda Carfrae to improve open-water swimming<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The sand is beneath your feet and the blue water in front of you. While you wait for the gun to off, you feel a flutter in your stomach. It could be excitement or it could be nerves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some triathletes look forward to the swim portion of the race, it can cause anxiety for others \u2014 especially those new to the sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master Spas brand ambassador and professional triathlete Mirinda Carfrae<\/a> is no stranger to those feelings. While she is among the best in the world, the Australian didn\u2019t grow up swimming. She was playing basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always one to work hard and do her best, Carfrae has spent a lot of time working on her swim so that she can compete at the world level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a swim clinic in IRONMAN Village during the World Championship festivities in Kaiulua-Kona, she shared open water swimming tips to improve performance, especially for IRONMAN races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"mirinda<\/a>
Photo Credit: Talbot Cox
Sighting is an important part of triathlon. Check your position every five to 10 strokes to make sure you are staying on course.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tip No. 1: Into Sight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sighting during the swim is key when in an open-water or race situation. Carfrae<\/a>, who has been a professional triathlete for more than 10 years, says that she swam much farther than she needed to when she was new to the sport. It\u2019s important to lift your eyes out of the water to check your position on the course. In the beginning, you might pop out of the water every five to 10 strokes. As you gain experience, you can save time and go a bit longer between sight checks \u2014 15 to 20 strokes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip No. 2: On Their Feet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you are training in a swim spa by Master Spas or the local pool, swimming can be solitary. A quiet spa or a solo lane where all you have to focus is on you and the water. But in a race situation, there are people on every side of you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carfrae says it\u2019s important to practice swimming on someone\u2019s feet \u2014 just as you will during a race. Invite friends to an open-water swim or schedule time to share a lane with someone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"open<\/a>
When you are swimming as part of a triathlon, it’s important to “save your legs.” <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tip No. 3: Save Your Legs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you dive into the water at the beginning of a triathlon, excitement and adrenaline will kick in. It\u2019s important, though, not to let that kick go to your legs. Whether you are taking part in a sprint distance race or a full IRONMAN course, you will need those leg muscles for the bike and run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known to friends, family, and fans as Rinny, Carfrae advises to mind your kick. She will kick hard in the beginning of the swim to find her position and then pull back. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to wear your legs out,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, Carfrae advises athletes to use their arms and shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip No. 4: Goggles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Goggles are an essential part of a swim training, whether your sessions are in an H2X Challenger<\/a>, a swim spa by Master Spas<\/a>, or a nearby lake. While it might be tempting to buy a new pair at a race expo, Carfrae says it\u2019s important to choose goggles that you have swam in before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBrand new goggles fog up right away,\u201d she shared during the clinic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reminding swimmers and triathletes that \u201cyou need your eyes,\u201d she shared that she swims in goggles at least once before a race. It\u2019s also a great way to make sure that the goggles are comfortable, fit well, and the straps adjusted just<\/em> right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when it comes to goggles, Carfrae uses anti-fog the night before a race, leaves it on overnight, and then rinses it with water in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip No. 5: Practice Makes Perfect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best way to improve your swimming is to swim. \u201cGet in the water as much as possible,\u201d Carfrae says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if it\u2019s just for recovery after a big run, it\u2019s important to get in the water, swim, and get the feel of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a swim spa by Master Spas, your next training session can be early in the morning after a long bike. Backyard convenience and quality construction give you 24\/7, 365 access to your next swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"swim<\/a>
The H2X Challenger swim spa is ideal for triathletes who want to be able to train in their backyard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you like this post, check out these \u2026  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How to Swim in a Swim Spa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 Questions with World Champion Triathlete Mirinda Carfrae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recover Smarter, Train Harder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming Workouts for a Swim Spa<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Inside tricks from Pro Triathlete Mirinda Carfrae to improve open-water swimming The sand is beneath your feet and the blue water in front of you. While you wait for the gun to off, you feel a flutter in your stomach. It could be excitement or it could be nerves.  While some triathletes look forward to Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1111,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aquatic-exercise"],"yoast_head":"\nOpen Water Swimming Tips to Have Your Best Race | Fitness<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether you are new to triathlon or want to feel better on race day, check out these open water swimming tips from professional triathlete Mirinda Carfrae.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.masterspas.com\/blog\/open-water-swimming-tips\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" 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