10 Tips You Need For Your Next Swim! | Open Water Swimming Race Tips

Nervous ahead of your first open water swim? Maybe your last experience didn't go to plan? Mistakes happen and for sure we've made a few of our own too - but you always learn from them. Here are our top 10 tips ahead of your next race or swim!

If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍

Submit your content here:

Watch more on GTN...

Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
ES_Air Swim - Arc De Soleil
ES_Green Smoothie - Timothy Infinite
ES_Stutter - [ocean jams]

Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

The Global Triathlon Network (GTN) is the world's biggest triathlon YouTube channel, with new videos every day! GTN is for anyone who loves triathlon: from seasoned triathletes to first timers – and everyone in between!

With the help of our former pro and Olympic medal winning team, we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better triathlete; including videos on:

- How to swim, bike, and run faster with expert knowledge
- Try our session ideas
- Investigations into wide ranging topics
- The best triathlon bike tech and gear with pro know-how
- In-depth, entertaining features from the heart of the sport
- Chat, opinion and interact with us across the channel and on social media!

Join us on YouTube’s best triathlon channel to get closer to the sport and to become a better, faster and fitter triathlete!

Welcome to the Global Triathlon Network.

Thanks to our sponsors:

[gtn]

What are your worries about open water swimming? Let us know 👇

[stevenagel]

One I would add is when to stand up for your exit. In the my first one or two triathlons i found that sighting the depth can be tough, which would result in me stopping my stroke putting my feet down to stand, only to find out the water is still 5ft deep. SO I learnt to stand once my fingers touch the bottom.

[robstriathlontipsforbeginners]

If you find yourself panicking at the start of the swim even if you’ve done a few triathlons, it may actually be caused by nutrition. I discovered that if I have a gel (with or without caffeine) before the swim then my heart rate goes up and my breathing is hard to control. I will spend 300 meters freaking out. I’m sensitive to the quick sugar rush. If I have a bar instead, all good.

[CoachPursuit]

On your last stroke let a bit of water into the top of your wetsuit below your neck. Fills it up and helps take it off easier/quicker!

[BullittXIII]

Nice to see you guys in Portugal 😁Big fan here..thank you for some more very helpful video👍🏼

[caseydog]

Very helpful. Five days until my first 70.3 (and first tri in over 30 years). Boulder 70.3 in a reservoir.

[ovidiui.]

Thanks for the advices. One month until my 1st half Iron man and the part that scares me the most is swimming since I never had to use a wetsuit. Hope I won't tangle myself in it after I finish :)))

[MyDadWasALifeguard]

Yes I do..this coming Sunday..first Tri..first open water swim…thanks

[marileguas_tri]

Love your hacks! Special thanks from Brazil. 🥰

[danishaudiocompany]

Heather really enjoyed your commentary on the Tokyo Olympic Modern Pentathlon……..what a great result 2x Golds.

[jamiefuhrman]

Thanks for the video! Could you possibly do one discussing different goggles lens? Not familiar with the pros and cons of different tints. Also any recommendations for a beach start into extremely cold water?

[PlayfulCoaCoa]

Drafting should be top priority indeed

[aptitudemedia]

in a lake we were doing a event few weeks before and the reeds were awful they were pretty on the surface. Day before the event we got word they were dying and werent an issue on race day.

[KwadSkwad]

I have.. escape from alcatraz triathlon, in less than 2 weeks!!!! Only worried about the cold water :D :D :D

[nataliemels]

Also use baby oil on your body before putting a wetsuit on. It will help you get the wetsuit on much quicker!!

[kegoangoango]

Do you sight and then breathe or breathe and then sight?

[winklertribe]

I need to wear earplugs when swimming, which makes wearing a swim cap tough. Is a swim cap necessary/ required? What is the benefit of wearing a swim cap?

[swepeuaq]

If only someone had gave me the same advice before swimming into a buoy, going the wrong side of a buoy, then clambering up the side of the exit ramp.

[firminodias]

I see pros with the wetsuit zip on the down side... how does that work? And if you put the wetsuit over your watch, how do you start the activity?

[badalll]

Why i heard Heather's voice during yesterday Women Javelin Final at Tokyo?