Janet Whittier of Sacramento is a seasoned open water swimmer who has swum from Alcatraz to the San Francisco Aquatic Center five times. In the following article Janet Whittier discusses how to get started with this elite sport.
Compared to swimming in a pool, Janet Whittier of Sacramento says that open water swimming is often seen as intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. It simply requires a little more skill and confidence in your ability. With the right preparation and training, you can enjoy the beauty of the open water and benefit from a great workout while you’re at it.
Since open water swimming takes place in natural bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and oceans, you should always be careful to stay within your limits. Here, Janet Whittier of Sacramento takes a look at what it takes to become a masterful open-water swimmer and discusses why it’s not the same as learning to swim in a pool.
Janet Whittier on What Makes Open Water Swimming Different?
The
main difference between open water swimming and pool swimming is that open water is, well, open. Janet Whittier explains that means there are no walls to push off of, no lane lines to follow, and no black line at the bottom of the pool to keep you on course. In addition, the water is usually colder than a pool, and there may be waves and currents to contend with.
Janet Whittier of Sacramento notes that of course, these factors can make open water swimming seem daunting, but they also make it a more interesting and challenging workout. In order to become a strong open water swimmer, you need to be able to swim in a straight line, navigate around obstacles, and deal with changing conditions, such as sudden riptides, changing currents, and an absence of supports.
Why Bother Learning to Swim in Open Water?
Janet Whittier says that in addition to being a great workout, open water swimming can help develop a number of skills that transfer to other sports. For example, open water swimming requires an awareness of your surroundings and an ability to make split-second decisions. This type of thinking can come in handy when mountain biking or skiing, as you often have to make quick decisions in order to avoid obstacles.
In addition, open water swimming can help you develop a strong mental game. Since there are no walls to push off of or lane lines to follow, you have to be comfortable swimming in a straight line for long periods of time.
This can be mentally challenging, as it’s easy to get lost in your thoughts and start to doubt your ability. However, if you can push through the mental challenges, you’ll be a stronger swimmer overall.
Drills to Improve Your Strength in Open Water
Once you’ve found a spot where the water isn’t too rough and you’re comfortable swimming in open water, you can start to focus on developing your strength. Janet Whittier of Sacramento explains here are a
few drills you can do to become a stronger swimmer and advance in the sport:
1.
Swim against the current – Find a spot where there’s a strong current and swim against it. This will help you develop the strength you need to swim in rough conditions. Be careful to not swim out too far though, otherwise, you may get pulled out beyond your limits.
2.
Swim in waves – If you can find a spot with waves, Janet Whittier says to swim into them and let them push you back. This will help you develop the strength you need to swim in rough water and help you learn better techniques to overcome the strength of a river or the ocean.
3.
Swim in a pool with no lane lines – Learning to swim straight lines in a pool with help you develop better coordination without having to fight against currents, tides, or waves. Once you’ve mastered swimming in straight lines, you can then apply the technique to the open water.
4.
Do interval training – Interval training is a great way to improve your swimming speed and endurance. Try swimming hard for 30 seconds and then floating for 30 seconds. Repeat this cycle for 10 minutes.
By doing these drills on a regular basis, Janet Whittier says you’ll quickly develop the strength you need to swim long distances in open water. Additionally, if you live near a lake or the ocean, you can probably find a local open water swimming club and join their ranks to build your strength as a team. It’s always wise to swim with friends to prevent accidents and reduce risk.
Final Thoughts
Janet Whittier of Sacramento notes that open water swimming can be a great workout and an enjoyable way to spend time in nature. However, always be aware of the dangers before diving in. Make sure you know your limits, stay within a safe swimming area, and always swim with a friend. By following these tips and preparing with the proper drills, you can safely enjoy open water swimming and all it has to offer.
