OWS training in swimming pool

I think this is an oxymoron....like jumbo shrimp.  Anyway, the only thing I do is close my eyes and try to swim straight (no line painted on thebottom of the lake).  I don't really think pushing off the wall or not pushing off the wall makes any difference.  As long as you're not stopping and resting at the wall.  If you're swimming a mile, 500 yds will be easy.

If you can swim a mile in the pool, 500 meters should be easy even in open water.

There are two schools of thought on pushing off in the pool and they have good and bad points.

If you can flip turn, you will get the advantage of the push off but you keep your rythym going just like you would in open water. Plus touching at the end gives you an extra breath that you dont get flip turning.

The biggest problem with open water is mental, the lack of visibility, having to sight the buoys, freaking out in deep water, getting slapped, kicked by 200 bodies trying to get a fingertip ahead of you.

We-e-e-ll-l...not necessarily easy. I had a swimming background and had done up to 2K nonstop in the pool during training and still struggled with my first 1/2 mile tri OWS. And, heck, I'd even trained a few times at that same beach.

Cold temperature, current, and--most of all--the flailing moron next to you who elbows you in the back as you are trying to get started are all lacking in your pool swim.

The conditioning and the basic stroke mechanics, however, DO transfer and are not to be neglected. As others have already said, if you're doing a mile now, you've got a solid foundation. Keep it up!

I would think the next best thing to an OWS is a pool swim while water aerobics folks are jumping up and down in the lanes next to you. Our pool is divided in half: one side has lap lanes and the other side is open for kids or groups. Man, can they cause turbulences! I used to get mad when they "disturbed" my swim, now I TRY to look at it as good training

But seriously, don't worry too much about the OWS. Just get lots of swimming in and focus on improving your technique so that you can start to relax in the water. Then in a race the adrenaline will also help. I did a couple of OWS in our local lake before my first tri and I was a bit spooked by the murky water etc. (see posts above). Then came the race and I was fine. Just swim a bit away from the pack so you don't get kicked and then relax. Don't worry about your pace, just focus on technique, breathing, and sighting. I'm not an early morning person and the swim part of the race mostly just wakes me up so that I can ride and run afterwards...

And swimming away from the pack will add only a few minutes--which you will easily make up on the bike if you are feeling good coming out of the water, without nursing bruises from getting kicked.

Besides mental I would say the biggest problem, at least ocean swimming is waves, and the current.

very well stated

OP - swim, swim and swim, you can visit this site http://forums.usms.org/forumdisplay.php?forumid=95 for workouts. some days go easy, some others fast and at least once a week go very long. While technique is important you don't have to focus exclusively on that. The more you swim the more it will improve; later in the season try to add OWS and you'll be ok

You could invite a couple of friends in the pool to swim and kick in your face for the first five minutes of the swim.

Thanks everyone...I should have started my post by stating..I know the best way to train for OWS is in OW, BUT .....lol

Like I said - thanks everyone. I'm excited and nervous about my season ahead and I appreciate all of the help I get from members on the boards here.

Swimming form and technique transfer in any water.  Work on those and swim lots.

Well if your gym has a family pool and a lap pool good chance the family pool as a big wide open area with no lanes. This would be good way to practice swimming without them.

swimming with other people in your lane is good practice for dealing with others in the water.

If you are going to use a wetsuit in the race then its also a good idea to try it out before you hit the water.