First Major Open water swim, any tips

I assume this is some sort of race you are doing?  If it is i would start out to the right (assuming you are keeping the buoys to your left) away from everyone and slowly work your way to the left you'll start out with some clean water, but as you slowly start swimming left you'll mix in with the group and get the sensation of what it feels like to have people around you when you are swimming.  Starting out to the right you will avoid some of the people running into the water at the same time and getting punched and kicked.  Don't forget to look up when you are swimming so you can see where you are going.  You can also use the other swimmers and where they are to help you swim the course. 

good luck.

Everyone (well the sane ones anyway!) hate the swim and are nervous at the start. All the advice has been excellent, especially staying out of trouble at the start and taking your time getting into the water - ie not being sucked in to running flatout into the water so that you end up gasping for air when you do start the swim. It's amazing how many people are struggling by the first bouy because they start way too fast. Good luck for the weekend (from one Kiwi to another)

We've all been there.  Swimming is the only discipline that has such a high "freak factor".  Its something that you'll easily overcome with time.  Hopefully, you:

1. Have swam at least 3-4 times this distance during your pool workouts.
2. Have practiced open water swimming in the ocean prior to this race so you know how currents, waves, and limited sight distance will affect you.  If you can see the bottom, you can navigate by the ripples in the sand.
3. Have developed a "never say die" attitude so that if you do freak out during the swim, you know how to calm yourself down and continue on.
4. Will place yourself at the back or outside of the pack when you enter the water.  That way, you can focus on your breathing and rhythm instead of fending off the other swimmers.

In my first triathlon, I had to stop a few times to catch my breath.  I couldn't control my breathing and heart rate.  It wasn't a great experience, but I didn't quit.  You'll make it through.  Enjoy the race.

I'm not sure what type of race you're doing or how many competitors will be accompanying you but expect the water to be crowded. Since there aren't any lanes or much etiquette for that matter you should expect to be bumped, dunked, splashed and cut off. Don't worry about it. Since this is your first open water experience of this magnitute your primary goal should be to finish. As such if you need to stop or slow momentarily to let others move away or pass, do so.

Navigation is probably your biggest concern. It is very easy to find yourself off course so you'll need to look forward every few strokes or so in order to keep your bearings. If there is large chop or swell where you will be swimming you probably won't be able to see your chosen landmark if you decide to check your position while in the bottom of a trough. Try to time your 'look' to occur while you are on the top of a wave so you'll be able to see your landmark.

Speaking of chop... if there is chop (and there most likely will be a much greater level of chop compared to your training pool) you will need to bring your head higher out of the water than you may be accustom in order to breath. Also, if there is wind coming from one side or the other it might be a good idea to breath on the side away from with wind. This will help prevent water from being blown into your face/mouth.

If you are going to be in a large lake, river or in an ocean enviroment you may have to contend with currents. These currents can go unnoticed until you find yourself off course. Swimming in relation to a current might necessitate that you smim at an angle rather than directly at your target in order to compensate for the pull of current.

Lastly, whatever you do... don't think about the possibility that you might be eaten.

I had serious swim issues...freak out factor big time. Friends here on BT helped me overcome them. One of the biggest tricks is to count strokes.(Rob's tip)..it keeps your mind busy so negative thoughts don't multiple...hard to count and think about weird things. I also used the image of Dory from Finding Nemo who said keep on swimming. I actually watched the DVD and found the spot and watched it over and over.

Even though I am a very BOP swimmer, I find warming up really helps...all the fast people do it...but more than that you get used to the temp, the waves, and it is a little preview of what is to come.

As much as this is a race, you want to stay calm and get through the swim.  If you start to panic at all, stop, look around, take it easy...enjoy it and get through it any way you can..doggie paddle, breast stroke, side stroke are all okay.

If you panic, get a cramp, need a break, you can hold onto a raft, bouy, or whatever and not be disqualified...they can not propel you, but it is an option I didn't know about when I started.

I did two tris last year where I was last out of the water. As the last swimmer in the water, I always got a personal boat that went along with me. I would talk to them, and they were great at cheering me on...expect when they asked if I every practiced...not much motivation there.

Biggest factor to improve is to try doing the swim distance in similar situation with other people. Do you have a tri friend who swims faster than you do? Ask them to go swim the course a couple days before your tri with you. You will gain a lot of confidence doing the course and knowing that 500 yds is doable in the cirucumstances you'll be doing your tri.

Good Luck! Keep on swimming! Count your strokes if you feel panicky.

RedCorvette - 2006-01-05 4:59 PM Remember that sharks like to pick off the stragglers, so stay in the pack. Oh, and don't wear yellow (their favorite color). 

Oh, you are mean! I like this side of you, Mark.

To Guy:

Your mission is to simply experience the swim and prove to yourself that you can handle the OW swim. Swim at your own pace. It's important that you have a go-with-the-flow attitude. Don't fight the ocean. Before you start your race, resolve to stay focused and calm throughout your swim. Tell yourself you can handle it (you can) and that you will do just fine. This is a mental exercise more than anything.

I see that you swim > 1,000 meters in your swim sessions, so this distance is very doable for you (physically). Keep yourself focused and calm. If you start to panic, just flop over onto your back and float for a few moments, take a few slow, deep breaths and resume swimming. If you have swells, just swim through them. The swim will be harder with swells but, still, very doable. It's only 500 meters, after all.

It will be over before you know it. Swimming in the ocean is so cool; it's my favorite place to swim. It's exhilirating if you allow yourself to to enjoy the moment.

RedCorvette - 2006-01-05 4:59 PM Remember that sharks like to pick off the stragglers, so stay in the pack. Oh, and don't wear yellow (their favorite color). 

 remember, you don't have to out-swim the sharks, you just have to out swim a few other racers so that they get picked off!