Any "real" triathletes here doing marathon swimming as well?

I started OWS last year and have done some in excess of IM distances. I don't fit the mold of the stereotypical marathon swimmer of being "big." It is a stereotype as many of those who do marathon swimming are actually quite fit and lean. But I do concede many are by definition overweight, and even obese. I think they trade off swim intensity for a slow meandering pace that they can continue perpetually. Any fat swimmers I know are usually excessively slow too, technique notwithstanding.

I'm (6' 3", 185pounds) And anecdotally adding this long distance swimming and doing these competitions last year alongside my triathlons helped my swimming. I was clocking the fastest swim times I ever have in competition. I think much of this has to do with getting better at sighting, experience with waves, current, etc. I simply added one OWS minimum a week in place of a pool swim. Because it is one of the three disciplines in Triathlon there is a direct pay off to that much swimming.

But...as the old saying goes "Swimming will never win you the race..but it will lost it for you." Maximizing your swimming in lieu or at the sacrifice of the other two disciplines isn't a good idea. The cycle and run can make up much more time and really win the race.

That aside, OWS's and long distance swimming is simply "fun." There are some great social circles, and that's encouraging for any athlete to keep motivated. Lots of competitions around Southern Ontario and they fit in nicely between triathlons. I personally dont see any downside in pure swimming sports. Its all money in the bank for triathlon, so long as you dont sacrifice the other two disciplines. A side note, I also compete as a Masters Athlete in the winter through Masters Swim Ontario for the same reasons.