Training for an Open Water Swim Start

OMG, that's frigging hysterical.

What, that's not how you all train? Ha! Try kickboards....with a Team in Training group. That's some good practice 

Irondog--the OWS that I've participated in haven't been that bad (sprints). Mass starts can be a little rough, and by that I mean a couple elbow bumps or some kicks, but people don't mean to (okay, maybe there's some out there....) so it's not that bad. Staggered starts aren't bad at all. If you're concerned, stay toward the back of the pack at the start.

Having just completed my first season with TNT, I remember that "open water swim" GTS (we did ours in the olympic sized pool) very well ... and also think it was one of the more beneficial swim sessions we had.

I laughed about it as I lined up for the swim at Gulf Coast last weekend.

Irondog:

They speak the truth - I seeded myself to the back and right of the pack each of the last two races (St. A's Oly + Gulf Coast HIM) ... and then waited to be sure that I was the last one in the water.

Even then, I passed at least half the field on the swim (and, since I kept my HR down + did not try to hammer my strokes, many more on the bike).  You will find that some 150-200 yds out that there will be a wave of people in various stages of exhaustion b/c they either hit it too hard at the start and/or did not remember to breath enough (sounds strange but true).

Ease into the first 100 yds and then be surprised at how many people you pass.

irondog - 2006-05-18 11:45 AM Funny... But is that really what it is like? Perhaps I should be wearing hockey gear instead of a wetsuit??

It's really not quite that bad. At my May 13 tri, the swim was really congested, but I think I placed myself too far back. I kept running into people's legs, especially one woman swimming backstroke and not paying attention. If you are anywhere near being somewhat of a strong swimmer, don't put yourself in the back. Start somewhere near the middle. Swimming through all the people who get tired 100 meters in can get frustrating.

I think you might drown in hockey gear