Race Training 6/17

Race training for open water is designed to better prepare you for your open water competition or triathlon race. You will practice beach and in-water starts, buoy turns, beach  finishes, drafting, strategy and basic open water swim race rules. This program is a great way to get race-day-ready for those who are new to open water racing or triathlons.  

Requirements: This swim is for competitive swimmers who are comfortable swimming at least a mile in the open water. Please be sure to hydrate beforehand, bring extra water, Gu or equivalent swim feed (something that can fit in your cap – if you want to practice a feed) and plenty of sunscreen and read our essentials page before attending. We will swim rain or shine, but we do not swim in thunderstorm conditions.  

What does a Race Training Session involve?

• Introductions
• Rules of OWS racing, pacing, strategy, feeding and training 
• Safety orientation of the beach
• Running starts, lifting lower legs with heels up over waves and dolphin dive
• Practice swimming in a group
• Practice swimming straight and sighting
• Breathing in waves, surfing waves
• Buoy turns using a backstroke technique around the coach
• Practice feeding with GU or equivalent while in water
• Drafting with explanation of drafting rules
• Racing in waves (if conditions allow)
• Sprint finishes – switching to sprint swimming and running up the beach

Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable