First OWS today!

After reading all about OWS on here I decided I better listen to the advice and not wait until my first race to try an OWS.  I am confident in my swimming ability in the pool and spent a lot of time surfing as a teenager.  My biggest concern is getting gobbled up by a sea creature (and I hate cold water).  However, it was way harder than I expected! 

It was very choppy and windy.  I almost didn't go out because a guy on the beach said that it was a bad idea to go out in the chop if it was my first time.  However, another guy came along and encouraged me to go for it (and offered to swim alongside of me).  Swimming out felt horrible.  I just couldn't get a rhythm.  I kept doing freestyle, but it wasn't pretty.  I had to swim through a bunch of seaweed and kelp.  At one point it was wrapped all around my face.  Yuck! Breathing was almost impossible.  I could see why people say they panic.  Trying to sight the buoy through the chop and slop was not happening.  Thankfully, the other guy with me seemed to know what he was doing so I kept him to my left and trusted that he was heading in the right direction. 

Once I got to the first buoy I turned to go parallel along the shoreline.  This was MUCH better.  I felt my rhythm coming and started breathing every third stroke...MISTAKE.  I learned it is not a good idea to breath in the direction from which the swell is coming.  I turned to breath and got a mouth full of salt water.  Did I learn from the mistake?  Nope, did it again.  Dummy!

I figured the way back to the shore would be easiest.  Just swim and let the surf push me to the shore.  Nope.  I swear the shore seemed to be getting further away.  The waves kept picking me up and dropping me down so I had a hard time spotting the lifeguard tower that I was aiming for. 

When I made it on shore I was kind of dizzy.  I think it was all the rocking around in the water that messed with my head.  My throat was burning from the salt water and I was tired.  In all I think I swam just under 500yds and took 11 min to do it.  Not in love with my time, but it was a great learning experience.   The good thing was I was so nervous I didn't even notice if the water was cold or not.  Also, I didn't think of creatures at all!  Hopefully, that was the worst possible conditions so that the worst is behind me!

Anyway, so proud of myself I just had to share with people who would understand.