Novice Open Water Swimming

The last few weeks I have been talking about the progress of a couple of woman who Have triathlon on their minds, one is a novice to the sport the other did do triathlon a good few years ago and is looking at taking on a big race early in 2018  and is currently building up her strength and miles again with that in mind she is a good golfer and is presently away on a golf trip.

This letter is in response to the novice lady, who is full of enthusiasm even after a road traffic accident which thankfully did not do her any more harm than a few bruises. She sent a message this morning asking if she should enter an open water triathlon to follow her first sprint event that is less than two weeks away now. 

Hi Christine,

Worthing Triathlon and/or Arundel Triathlon.

July 2nd and Arundel July 16th

You asked me on a Facebook message if you should enter Worthing Triathlon.

I take it that query was because of the great photo of the start of that event that I posted yesterday.

Worthing is a challenging event as you could see by the photo.

It would be jumping in at the deep end for you, but hey, you have to do that sometime, you don’t need your water wings any more.

The swim goes out to a buoy and makes a right turn, then; there is an oblong course parallel to the beach, so at any time you can turn for the shore there is no reason to panic because the waves would bring you in.

I have to say that there is a current but your swimming is so improved and will continuing get stronger now all the time. In our sea swims we will show you that although you need to give yourself some practice to convince yourself you can do this all quite proficiently now. It is so true that practice makes perfect and you will soon get used to it and leave any fear behind.

I love the movement of the sea.

There are no scary things in the sea here, apart from a strand of seaweed here and there.

I have lived in the area all my life.

As a child, during the school holidays I was on the beach on any sunny day, along with friends or cousins.

I had a key of my home around my neck.

No adults watching over us…. since they were all at work and did not worry about us kids on the beach. 

Yet you must always respect the sea and its power.

You can use the current to push back on and with it when you turn, it is easier.

You have to just stay at a steady warm up type of pace and not fight the current.

You will need a wetsuit for sure with long sleeves too.

Come and try Steve’s old one on before you go out and spent a wad of money.

It's not that old but he had to get a new one last year because the shoulders were too tight, so that would maybe suit you. They are stretchy but he has a lot of shoulder and arm ache from lifting heavy furniture at work and had to get a new one with a better fit. He is older and a little heavier on the shoulders maybe. Do not tell him I said that, you hear? The shoulders would be fine on you since you have a smaller top and chest.

Arundel is a much easier swim… much easier, because it is with the slack tide.

The whole time you are close to the bank which is reassuring.

We will get in the sea for some open water practice as soon as possible.

The current in Worthing is not as strong as Littlehampton so swimming here is excellent practice.

The two bike routes are about equal and on roads that you know well.

Both runs are nothing for you with your run power.

Your swimming is good now so that is one hurdle well and truly handled.

Just have to get your head around that, the fact is that you are not a beginner any more.

In mid august we will be going with a group of us to do the Pier to Pier swim from Sandown to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight.

About a mile and three quarters but most people do it in about one mile time.

It is with the flow there. August 12th.

It is a great fun day with snacks/picnic.

Hot drinks and shower at the end in the Yacht Club

It would be fun if you came along, bring the family.

They can follow your swim from the start to the finish along the promenade.

Today fell apart a bit for us since Steve had unexpected work came up.

And I had a lot of office stuff suddenly too.

You didn't tell me if the riding you posted photos of is new thing or if you have always done it, any sport in your background was training for triathlon in a funny way.

Steve and I both rode in the past.

My daughter had her own pony for years.

I had to ride him out whilst she was at school.

She still rides sometimes but I have not been for years now.

It is lovely though, we both love horses.

Attached is one of my daughters horses photos taken in the Camargue, you can see they are all looking at her since she is standing in the water in their path!

Love Daphne X