Subject: RE: Just Did First OWS - I Have Questions Congrats on your first OWS. I am glad to hear that you liked it. I am by no means an expert, but here's my $0.02.
1. A lot of people say that their stroke changes when they get in the open water or wetsuit. However, I am concerned that you felt "resistance" coming from the westuit. I don't really think there should be any restrictions from the wetsuit that would cause you to have to shorten your stroke. Is it possibly too tight in the shoulders? Where is your stroke shorter? Are your hands hitting the water sooner or are you having a hard time extending your arms out in front of you? Do you have a full range of motion in your wetsuit when you're standing on land (i.e, swinging your arms around, extending your arms overhead, etc. )?
2. As for sighting, it just takes some getting used to. When I swim at the pool, I pretty watch everything that goes on around me, and therefore I tend to be decent at sighting when I turn my head to breathe. So, while in the pool, practice watching what's going on on the sidelines, then it'll become second nature. Also, practice swimming a stroke or two, every few strokes, with your head out of the water and looking straight ahead. You may even want to do that for a full 25 or 50 from time to time.
I hope that helps. Like I said, I'm not an expert, so you'll probably get some better tips from other BTers. |