General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Man, I got to work on my sighting! Rss Feed  
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2013-11-11 11:49 AM

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Subject: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
In yesterdays race I must have swam an extra 30% because my sighting was so bad. Either they start painting lane lines in the ocean or I need to work on my technique this off season.


2013-11-11 11:57 AM
in reply to: Oysterboy

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!

Originally posted by Oysterboy In yesterdays race I must have swam an extra 30% because my sighting was so bad. Either they start painting lane lines in the ocean or I need to work on my technique this off season.

Welcome to the club. It's infuriating how hard this can be sometimes.

2013-11-11 12:07 PM
in reply to: BrianRunsPhilly

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
I started really swimming last winter so I was psyched for my first tri of the year so I could put up a good swim time. My goggles were a bit foggy but it was no excuse. I passed a lot of people in my wave and the wave in front of us, then all of a sudden I found myself about 75-100 yards off course (sprint tri too) before a kayaker had to track me down yelling at me to more or less turn completely around to get back on track. Stupid sighting.
2013-11-11 12:08 PM
in reply to: BrianRunsPhilly

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
Ain't noting easy brotha... I did net a "nice work" from Meredith Kessler as she flew by me on the run yesterday. That was cool.
2013-11-11 1:31 PM
in reply to: Oysterboy

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!

After many many years, and many many races, I am really wondering if one can really "fix" this problem.  I work on sighting in the pool and can spot my water bottle, check the time, whatever my task is. Some races I am spot on, and other's it's a complete cluster.  It has so much to do with glare, splashing of other competitors, size of buoy, etc.  And I rarely swim more than 6 strokes without looking, if I am struggling.

I assume that I am either missing some technique-wise that I cannot recognize enough to solve OR those who are good at sighting actually have an innate ability to do it. Maybe they are really good at judging distances, have an internal ability to always swim straight, etc.  I can't figure it out!

2013-11-11 3:20 PM
in reply to: BikerGrrrl

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
Last tri I swam right into a buoy and that was after sighting a mere 10 m before.


2013-11-11 3:51 PM
in reply to: jonD81

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
Originally posted by jonD81

I started really swimming last winter so I was psyched for my first tri of the year so I could put up a good swim time. My goggles were a bit foggy but it was no excuse. I passed a lot of people in my wave and the wave in front of us, then all of a sudden I found myself about 75-100 yards off course (sprint tri too) before a kayaker had to track me down yelling at me to more or less turn completely around to get back on track. Stupid sighting.


Exact same thing happened to me last summer. Someone said a buoy had deflated...I'm going with that.
2013-11-11 5:35 PM
in reply to: Oysterboy

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
In the Master's swim class I'm in, we practice the Tarzan drill. It works. I've never had any sighting issues because of this drill.

Check out this video I discovered on the topic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-78EVtKF4Q
2013-11-11 5:54 PM
in reply to: jbholcom

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
in my HIM this year, a boat came out and someone had to let go the siren to point me back the right way. I recognized my problem was that I couldn't see the furthest buoy. Gotta wear contacts I guess.
2013-11-11 7:31 PM
in reply to: Oysterboy

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
You might get a kick out of this -- observations from a very crooked swim last summer. I've since improved a tiny bit.

http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid...
2013-11-11 9:57 PM
in reply to: Oysterboy

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
Originally posted by Oysterboy

In yesterdays race I must have swam an extra 30% because my sighting was so bad. Either they start painting lane lines in the ocean or I need to work on my technique this off season.


Usually what I have found that the issue isn't your sighting, is it the fact you probably aren't swimming straight... AND that is probably because you are crossing over your mid-line when you swim. Think of the top of your head as 12:00. Your hands should enter at 11:00 and 1:00, and even under the water should not drift towards or "over" the 12:00 position.

Go to a pool and have someone film you swimming above the water, with you swimming towards them. You are probably crossing over and thus when you get in open water you aren't "able to sight" or rather swim a straight line.

Good luck!


2013-11-11 9:58 PM
in reply to: BikerGrrrl

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
Originally posted by BikerGrrrl

After many many years, and many many races, I am really wondering if one can really "fix" this problem.  I work on sighting in the pool and can spot my water bottle, check the time, whatever my task is. Some races I am spot on, and other's it's a complete cluster.  It has so much to do with glare, splashing of other competitors, size of buoy, etc.  And I rarely swim more than 6 strokes without looking, if I am struggling.

I assume that I am either missing some technique-wise that I cannot recognize enough to solve OR those who are good at sighting actually have an innate ability to do it. Maybe they are really good at judging distances, have an internal ability to always swim straight, etc.  I can't figure it out!




Per my other post... ensure you aren't crossing over your mid-line at "12:00". Have someone film you above the water as you swim towards them so you can see if you are doing it above or below the water.

Good luck!

2013-11-11 11:10 PM
in reply to: KSH


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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
I was terrible at sighting in the beginning of this season, also my first season with swimming and tri. I spent most of the summer swimming outdoors in a small cove(1 lap = 900m) and worked on sighting/swimming outdoors two to three times a week.

By my main race of the year I didn't have any problems with sighting. Also I breathe bilaterally so that probably helps.

Find an outdoor venue you can practice when the weather is good.

Dan
2013-11-12 7:42 AM
in reply to: mrdanwatson

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
Originally posted by mrdanwatson
Find an outdoor venue you can practice


I am supposing you mean one that has no alligators, right?
2013-11-12 10:12 AM
in reply to: Oysterboy


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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
I think you posted in the REV3 post--if so I had a heck of a time sighting the last red buoy--the glare was terrible. Everything else wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I thought the amount of buoys out there was awesome.
2013-11-12 5:23 PM
in reply to: jptptptp

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
Yeah, it was hard to sight at that point b/c you were swimming directly into the sun. The number of boats they had in the water was very comforting except at the last right turn heading home the amnt of exhaust was kinda gross


2013-11-12 5:40 PM
in reply to: #4896504

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
One thing that really helped me was a thorough recon the day before and race AM. Don't just go down to the water and look a bit. Really focus on landmarks, angles, the sun, etc. I realized that a lot of my problem was that I was relying solely on the buoys and had little perspective as to where I was in the water. Now I try to use all the landmarks, sun etc. to help with my general whereabouts. And it's easier to sight a cell tower or building than it is a buoy.
2013-11-12 8:42 PM
in reply to: Oysterboy

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
same for me...one time though, it wasn't completely my fault. I saw the buoy and swam perfectly straight at it, but began to realize my geometry was wrong: wrong angle to the shore and people were crossing in front of me. Well, the stupid race director decided to NOT USE one of the huge orange buoys and it was in a support boat, about 100 yards off course! And I swam right at it!
2013-11-13 6:47 AM
in reply to: Oysterboy


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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
Yellow swim buoy, competitor in front with yellow swim cap. I was really confused until I figured it out.
Same race, I put my hand /arm out to stroke and smacked a buoy on top.

I always had good sighting except that race, which was the the last of the season.
2013-11-13 7:46 AM
in reply to: skibummer

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Subject: RE: Man, I got to work on my sighting!
I haven't learned to breathe bilaterally, so I sometimes use competitors to help navigate. Twice, I have gone off course by "following" a swimmer that had extremely poor navigation! So, I need to work on my sighting, too.
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