For me finding something far on the horizon which is in line with the direction i want to go has always worked best, especially when there is a swell.. buoys and boats can be hard to see.
Choose someone better than you to follow haha. Otherwise look more crocodile style and don't do 20 strokes without looking. And choose a good goggle for the environment. Maybe if you can see more you will go straighter.
As a begginer 15 year old triathlete, with an above average running and biking, but an well below average swim, it’s tought for me to win races. But one of my main problems is swimming in a straight line. I will try to aply those tips. Thanks gtn
In a race, the buoys are huge, and can be seen a long way off. Where I do Open Water Swimming (OWS) training most often, the buoys are tall, but thin. They are not always easy to see until they are about 100 yards away. For me, the best tactic is to aim at a landmark on the horizon to sight on when my next turn is far away, and then switch my aim to the actual buoy when it is close enough to see clearly. This also allows me to peek my head up for a shorter amount of time, because I am not searching for the aiming stake each time. I peek about every 4th stroke. Peeking more often keeps the corrections smaller. This is especially true when the current is pushing you.
Ahh, the shame of my swimming life. 😂😂😂 For some reason, people think I'm drunk when I try to freestyle in the pool. And I'm already wearing goggles. 🤣
I find it curious that you suggested getting your mouth and nose out of the water - I never do that unless it's necessary. I lift my head just enough so that I can see (which might get my mouth out as well if it's very choppy) and breathe to the side after. Lifting your head higher than you have to makes your legs sink and slow you down, takes a lot out of you.
Same thing I was thinking. In fact, I just came from another GTN video where they specifically said to only lift your head just enough to get your eyes out of the water.
50 strokes without sighting. Nice test that I wanna do after my Ironman Italy. Before that I'm afraid to hit the shore or some object and break my hand :-D (Very excited to see that Norseman video, that you guys are probably working on.)
When in the pool, swim with your eyes closed and only open when you come up to sight. For open water, try to use the closest possible thing for sighting because if something is too far, you may be swimming to it, but in a huge arc due to water current and/or wind...
The "50 strokes with your eyes closed" is a drill we use at training, especially in the beginner group. most people are slightly off to one side or another. Some people go sharply off to one side, and we have seen some people just swimming in a very tight circle in front of the dock because their stroke is that one sided.
My tip is to get a GPS swimming watch and see what’s really happening when you swim OW. I used to think my navigation was fine and I was just slow. I discovered that my swim speed was ok but in every event I was swimming 1/4 to 1/3 extra distance because I wasn’t swimming straight. It’s the most important thing to practice.
Hey GTN! I have a question: can you use hydration packs during a triathlon? If so is it worth it? I have a race coming up and it’s really hot where I live so I figured it’d be a good way to have a bit of extra water on me
Haha. I meant when the buoy is quite far away (e.g. 200m) and in the centre of your sight line. For some reason, it can be more difficult to spot. It’s like you’re not expecting it to be there.
What is your top tip to swimming straight? Let us know!
Breathing on uneven strokes, 3 or 5. At least for me it helped a lot. One-sided breathing is useful to balance waves or current.
Never swim in a pool
For me finding something far on the horizon which is in line with the direction i want to go has always worked best, especially when there is a swell.. buoys and boats can be hard to see.
Choose someone better than you to follow haha. Otherwise look more crocodile style and don't do 20 strokes without looking. And choose a good goggle for the environment. Maybe if you can see more you will go straighter.
As a begginer 15 year old triathlete, with an above average running and biking, but an well below average swim, it’s tought for me to win races. But one of my main problems is swimming in a straight line. I will try to aply those tips. Thanks gtn
Just keep practicing Jacob and you will get better.
All the best mate!!
You guys are very fortunate. You have crystal clear water to swim in nearby. Plus amazing green spaces.
In a race, the buoys are huge, and can be seen a long way off. Where I do Open Water Swimming (OWS) training most often, the buoys are tall, but thin. They are not always easy to see until they are about 100 yards away. For me, the best tactic is to aim at a landmark on the horizon to sight on when my next turn is far away, and then switch my aim to the actual buoy when it is close enough to see clearly. This also allows me to peek my head up for a shorter amount of time, because I am not searching for the aiming stake each time. I peek about every 4th stroke. Peeking more often keeps the corrections smaller. This is especially true when the current is pushing you.
Ahh, the shame of my swimming life. 😂😂😂 For some reason, people think I'm drunk when I try to freestyle in the pool. And I'm already wearing goggles. 🤣
Thanks for sharing. Sighting is so important. Correct sighting can cut your times significantly and obviously help you stay on course.
Bro! U just made me a better swimmer. Thanks
Thanks for the tips. Very helpful.
Welcome to Zurich - I was swimming at this spot yesterday :)
A day to early
i have often ran around the lake. So beautiful!
OMG you guys! You were in Zurich and I missed you :( great video!
beautiful city!
This video is literaly what i needed, i wasn't even finding it, but this appears in recommendations, tnx!!!
I sure do miss this guy in 08/2023. He was always a pleasure to listen to. What happened GTN? 😢
I find it curious that you suggested getting your mouth and nose out of the water - I never do that unless it's necessary. I lift my head just enough so that I can see (which might get my mouth out as well if it's very choppy) and breathe to the side after. Lifting your head higher than you have to makes your legs sink and slow you down, takes a lot out of you.
Same thing I was thinking. In fact, I just came from another GTN video where they specifically said to only lift your head just enough to get your eyes out of the water.
물색보소 .참 좋네요
50 strokes without sighting. Nice test that I wanna do after my Ironman Italy. Before that I'm afraid to hit the shore or some object and break my hand :-D
(Very excited to see that Norseman video, that you guys are probably working on.)
When in the pool, swim with your eyes closed and only open when you come up to sight. For open water, try to use the closest possible thing for sighting because if something is too far, you may be swimming to it, but in a huge arc due to water current and/or wind...
The "50 strokes with your eyes closed" is a drill we use at training, especially in the beginner group. most people are slightly off to one side or another. Some people go sharply off to one side, and we have seen some people just swimming in a very tight circle in front of the dock because their stroke is that one sided.
How was the crystal clear Zurich water? 😏
ale X I did IM Switzerland last month; the water was tasty.
Hi I'm good swimmer so my favourite sport love swimming 🏊🏻
Super 👌👌👌👌
Thank you! Cheers!
My tip is to get a GPS swimming watch and see what’s really happening when you swim OW. I used to think my navigation was fine and I was just slow. I discovered that my swim speed was ok but in every event I was swimming 1/4 to 1/3 extra distance because I wasn’t swimming straight. It’s the most important thing to practice.
Worst thing you can do is to rely on gps in the water. They have around 20% error. Completely useless.
I am literally incapable of swimming straight omg hahaha
Hey GTN! I have a question: can you use hydration packs during a triathlon? If so is it worth it? I have a race coming up and it’s really hot where I live so I figured it’d be a good way to have a bit of extra water on me
Where is this location please
...are you in Zurich???
yes but how do i change direction when im derailing from my course??
Goggles that are appropriate for the environment. It makes sighting easier thus making it easier to swim in a straight(er) line.
And their common denominator should be anti-fogging, tbh.
which lake is it?
I tried this but I keep swimming gay :/
Hmmm 4 or 5 stroke.
I can't swim straight in a pool. I swim diagonally across the lane into the lane divider while everyone laughs at me.
Does anyone find that they sometimes can’t spot a buoy when it’s straight in front of them? Perhaps similar to a blind spot.
Mark w yup with the buoy right in my face. That’s quite a blind spot.
Haha. I meant when the buoy is quite far away (e.g. 200m) and in the centre of your sight line. For some reason, it can be more difficult to spot. It’s like you’re not expecting it to be there.
Dude, Sting!
How come you were in Zurich? It would have been great to come see web-famouses!
Top tip if you're bad at swimming straight: draft.