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Ocean Swimming

Laura BeckerLaura Becker
in General Training Discussions

Background:  So this tri season didn't go exactly as planned because I was recovering from a stress fracture. In turn- I did a couple of swim races and a bunch of aquabike events!! Super fun! However- I have not conquered a goal that I set for this season which was to do an ocean triathlon. I did swim (distance swimming not just jumping waves with the family lol) in the ocean for the first time but it was a CT beach (calm waters).

And then today a friend asked if I wanted to do an aquabike Olympic distance race at Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island this weekend! .....ocean swim, lots of waves, YIKES! Question- Would it be foolish to try and swim in the "real" ocean without going to practice first? If I was to attempt this, what are some key tips I need to know?  

Comments

  • novaavantnovaavant
    Will the swim be wet-suit legal? I ask because that will give you plenty of confidence that you can recover if you gulp a bunch of nasty sea water or take a rouge wave etc. Just a quick flip on your back compose yourself and keep going.

    Once past the breakers I have found that unless it's a super rough day the ocean is more mellow meaning longer swells then say a bay swim with shorter choppier waves. Key will be to get out fast past the breakers to make the first turn to start swimming with the current. As you get your rhythm you can site at the top of each swell and I would site often. Looks like the swim will be with the current parallel to the shore. You will be pushed around much more and think you're going in one direction when typically the opposite will be true. I have found that increasing stroke rate in general and especially in waves or chop help keep you moving forward better. If you have a slow turnover in chop by the time you take your next stroke the waves have already pushed you around so you end up working much harder.

    I would go for it, I think you'll have a good time.
  • Anu RaoAnu Rao
    Hey Laura, I did this recently in Hawaii for the 70.3. I had only two OWS swims in lakes as training because we had so much rain and ows swims were not possible. Attila is pretty much spot on, I was lucky and we got a perfect day with hardly any chop and after swimming in the muddy lakes her, the ocean swim was beautiful and I was amazed at how buoyant the salt water was. I did take Bonine for sea sickness and used ear plugs. I was very slow, but it is way up there as being the most memorable and beautiful swims I have done and I am not a fan of the swim at all.
  • Laura BeckerLaura Becker

    Thank you Anu and Attila!! I truly appreciate your input!! The swim will be wetsuit legal- so I have that going for me 

    I'm thinking I may just go for it! Will be fun to try! Will make my final decision tonight- but I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again for the advice!

  • Laura BeckerLaura Becker

    Thank you again for your advice!! My husband asked that we stay local for a weekend because we had just traveled to NH last weekend for TImberman......I was just so excited I wanted to find another race to do! LOL Basically I had to be a good wife to my awesome supportive sherpa and train locally for the weekend...no ocean tri. BUTTTT it might happen in September! 

    Thanks again guys!

  • fittodofittodo

    Hi Laura,

    How did it go? I had some crazy HIM ocean race experiences here in San Diego. Huge waves. Hope you had a great experience.

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