Open Water

Swimming in open water is much more fun, interesting and comfortable than swimming back and forth in the box filled with water that a pool is. It gives a completely different freedom. The freedom to swim in your bubble without being interrupted by these constant twists and turns in the pool. The freedom to swim in varying conditions. From gliding forward in flat water to swimming in high waves and following them without fighting them. To become one with the water. A great feeling.

Feel free to be inspired by open water swimming by watching the films from swimming camps we have participated in.

Breath

Learn to breathe in both directions
You have to be able to parry for waves and winds and you do not know from the beginning which direction they can come from

Sighting

http://www.totalimmersion.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1424

Pressing down the hand and lifting the head causes the legs to sink and the water resistance to increase. It is important to be parallel to the water surface as far as possible. The way I recommend and which I use is to lift the head just so that the eyes come above the water surface, like an alligator, in connection with one arm being stretched out and then from there directly to breathing. Alternatively, you can go back with your head and breathe first at the next arm pull. Test which feels best. Practice looking up with both left arm first and right arm first.

WAVES

Swim relaxed and compliant - do not fight the waves

Exercises

Swim against an object on land or in the water
Look up at every 3rd arm pull
Vart 5th, 7th, 9th
Swim towards an object a good distance away without looking and noting where you end up in relation to it

Wet suit

Most people seem to prefer to wear wetsuits in open water. However, I recommend when possible, swim without, it gives a much better feeling.

My experience with wetsuits is that I have a hard time using long-sleeved ones. I have had two and sold both. I now have a sleeveless one that I mainly use at Swim the Arctic Circle, when the water temperature is below 16 ° and wetsuit is mandatory. It also means that I train a lot in wetsuits before, which I recommend if you are going to participate in a competition with wetsuits. I have a Sailfish Edge .

Keep in mind that the wetsuit changes the water level. If the buoyancy becomes too strong, it is difficult to maintain a good technology. The sleeveless I have is thin, just to be able to swim with good technique.

If you have the opportunity, feel free to try it out so that you get one that suits you. Choose one that is made for swimming. Unfortunately, it seems that the more expensive the better fit they have around the shoulders.

There are lots of tips on choosing a wetsuit out there. My tip is to google, for example, 'choose a wetsuit' and then study suitable matches.

And you, remember to never fart in a wetsuit 😂

Jokes aside, I actually did it during one of my races in Swim the Arctic Circle where the water temperature forced the use of wetsuits. I farted in my sleeveless wetsuit and the fart stayed, so with each rotation I felt how it changed sides 😂