6 Tips To Overcome Open Water Fears | Steps To Beat Race Day Swimming Panic

Fear of open water is not always rational or easy to understand. Learning coping strategies and specific techniques can transform your open water experience so we’re going to be a bringing you some tried and tested tips to help you quash those fears!

It can make no difference whether you’re a weaker novice swimmer or at the other end of the spectrum, someone who has swam competitively in a pool all your life, the fear of open water is not always rational or easy to understand.

Learning coping strategies and specific techniques can transform your open water experience so we’re going to be a bringing you some tried and tested tips to help you quash those fears.

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Orange Jasper - Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
Palouse Falls - [ocean jams]
Rain Check - Dylan Sitts
Think Clearly - Craft Case

Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

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How have you overcome your open water fears? Leave us a comment!

[petef]

I always used to love swimming in the sea when i was young. I would swim out to where the small boats were anchored and chase fish etc. Then I made the mistake of swimming out quite far with goggles on and looked down.


Was like 15 body lengths to the deep dark bottom and darkness stretched into the distance. It made me completely aware how small i was. Never liked open water since.

[carlataylor]

It’s the “big unknown” I think I’m the most scared of 😖

[Gregornmy]

i'm not afraid of being out in open deep water, i'm just scared of what's below me...

[imastatistic]

Its a perfectly rational fear! We have no idea whats in the deepest parts of the ocean and Im cool never finding out.

[prime]

The first few seconds of this video just has you two telling me that my fear makes no sense and it’s basically stupid to fear open water. NO ITS NOT IRRATIONAL BICH I can’t see the ground below me I can’t see the sky above me I don’t know if there’s some big ass shark or whale that’s boutta come out of nowhere

[epigenetics]

I guess I am the only one having a problem with vegetation creeping up on me

[trbeyond]

I sort of like the anxious feeling of open water swimming. Helps remind me how small I am and get me right sized; realize my life problems and issues really aren’t that significant...

[eugeniopagano]

I overcome temporarily my fear following a friend ahead of me. Alone fear returns strong

[thanktheuniverse]

I trained for an open water swim this year with the purpose of overcoming this fear. The first time I got in I had a panic attack and couldn't get over it, this was with an experienced swimmer too. Next few times including the race were completely fine. Then I decided to try it solo in a different lake and had another panic attack. So I made myself swim solo again a few days later in fairly choppy waters. It was tough going and required a pep talk half way across but I managed it. Its a strange old thing 'fear'. And it will probably take serious consistency to fully overcome it. The strange thing is the longer you swim the more relaxed you become. It's always better to go out with people and make sure you have a float. And most of all be patient with yourself.

[GunnyWombat]

I would challenge your opening statements saying that the fear of open water swimming isn't rational. Its very rational given that in most cases, if you are more than 200 metres away from another person whilst out in the water you are potentially in a fatal situation if something goes wrong.

[rogermartinez]

I just completed my first triathlon. The swim was in a calm, small, shallow lake with staggered start. Couldn't have been any easier, right? Well, I pretty much panicked and had to breaststroke much of it. Miserable experience. I will vow to overcome my fears and practice ows before my next try. Good to know I'm not alone though. Thanks for the videos!

[zethmagdaong]

whenever i look at the big stones in our sea i feel like there are megalodons underneath me

[adrih]

I live next to one of the deepest lakes in America, and I love going swimming, but when I realize I've lost track of the bottom I *panic*

[keedee]

I live by the beach and i swim almost everday. I take my diving mask with me all the time. But the thing is, I only swim in shallow water. The fear of seeing marine animals like sea crates or sea snakes holds me back from going deeper esp when i am alone. Im now here in youtube helping myself find videos about overcoming this fear. I will be patient. I hope you do too.🌍🌊

[seanodonnell]

I actually had a few bad experiences where I tired out in open water and almost drowned. One of them I accidentally aspirated some water and started choking and coughing while simultaneously being winded and exhausted. That was a terrible feeling. It was hard not to panic.

[dharmendrarathod]

I am scared of deep water as I cant see whats below me. Always feel like something is about to bite and pull me down. Many of us dont think this way and enjoy deep water very much. Is there a good way to come over this kind of fear?

Thanks,
Dharmendra Rathod

[alexp]

Im scared of seeing things moving in clearer water. Any tips

[annadicapua]

Thank you very much for these nice tips. I will try it during next spring. I am afraid of swimming in open water when I need to go too far from the side, more than 50 meters, whereas I can swim easily 1500 meters in a pool. In the sea, if I am swimming in clear water like in Greece, I feed confident, whereas it´s true there are some rosa jellyfishes but they are still beautiful. Actually, I love seeing the sea beauty and the animals all around me. But I live in Europe. I decided to swim in open water for my first triathlon S in a lake. Step by step! And during a triathlon they are so many people all around you and the safety people so no way you can have issues there. It is also a wonderful idea th stay focused on the strocke numbers. I would loveto beat this fear as I tried surfing a couple of times and it was stunning! Learning by doing!

[PivotFirearms]

Spend $500 on a triathlon registration, $300 on a bike fit, $200 on a wet suit, $150 on some On running shoes, and then maybe buty a TT No option to have fear!!!🤣