Deep water OWS starts?

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2011-07-05 2:32 PM

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Veteran
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Long Island, NY
Subject: Deep water OWS starts?

Any tips on getting moving fast in deep water at the start of a race?

My first tri this season s coming up on Sunday. I really want to nail the swim and last year I hesitated at the start and it cost me during the swim. This year I want to get going and get going fast. Also this race only has 2 waves with over 200 people in each wave.

The way they have the course laid out the start puts you in deep water and you have to float or tread water before the start of the race. You can’t “push off” anything to get moving.

Any tips?

2011-07-05 3:11 PM
in reply to: #3581633

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Pro
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Bellingham, WA
Subject: RE: Deep water OWS starts?
I just start out my first few strokes with a strong pull and a little higher turnover. Will give a hard effort for the first few hundred yards before settling into more of a relaxed glide. Its hard to do much more on the first few strokes as you will be jostling a bit for position.
2011-07-05 3:15 PM
in reply to: #3581633

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Champion
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Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: Deep water OWS starts?
I've done a couple of deep-water starts.
If you're in a wetsuit, it's pretty easy to float on your stomach for a few seconds before the cannon goes off. I usually do a couple of dolphin-kicks or sidestroke kicks to get up to speed and then start swimming normally. Find a pool with a deep end and practice.
2011-07-05 3:17 PM
in reply to: #3581633

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Veteran
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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: Deep water OWS starts?

dp



Edited by ewillmore 2011-07-05 3:18 PM
2011-07-05 3:18 PM
in reply to: #3581633

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Veteran
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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: Deep water OWS starts?

Claim your space.  Start floating flat, ready to swim.  don't be up-and-down where it will take time to get your legs up and you will probably have to fight for space even more than usual (and kick more people in the head)

2011-07-05 3:44 PM
in reply to: #3581633

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Science Nerd
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Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Deep water OWS starts?
Float on your stomach before the race starts.  You can usually start pulling with a second or two before the race starts because you won't actually cross the line before the official start.

2011-07-05 5:26 PM
in reply to: #3581633

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Elite
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Laguna Beach
Subject: RE: Deep water OWS starts?
If your first three to five strokes are combat swimmer side stroke you seem to get going quicker and you can see where everything is when you start swimming. It doesn't work if you're in a tightly packed group though because of the wider kick, but I find I take off faster with this stroke than I do i the first couple strokes of freestyle.
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