Elaine Fincham being inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame at Herbert Lehman College

Open Water Swimming

I was flattered to be asked to write an article about my open water swimming techniques. I enjoy encouraging Masters to continually learn and strive to be better swimmers, but at the same time I have been ambivalent about sharing any personal open water secrets. Well, here it is.

3 weeks prior to the swim I am asking myself the following questions during practice:

• How is my form?
• Are my hips rolling?
• Am I getting an equal roll and stretch on both arms?
• What is my kick doing? 2 beat?
• Is each leg/foot giving equal propulsion?
• What breathing pattern is best for me?

During the swim practices I practice that breathing pattern that I can comfortably handle. I also do interval training sets or sets which are equal to the time I expect to be in the water for the race. (For example, if I was expecting to do a 45-minute race, I might do 10 x 200 on 3:00, followed by a set of 10 x 100 on 1:25.) These longer sets increase my physical and mental endurance.

On the day of the swim I give these suggestions:

• Eat a meal 2-3 hours before the race.
• Drink water.
• Allow plenty of time to travel to the race site.
  
• Stay out of the sun.
• Warm up with dryland stretches and swimming on the race course.
• During swim warm-up take note of the various land marks you may see in the race. These may include buoys, trees, hills, buildings, powerlines. Where are they in relation to a turn or finish?

Following are my suggestions to do during the race:

• Think about the efficiency of your stroke.
• Avoid thinking about yucky things you could encounter in the water such as aquatic life (fish, plants, amphibians), dead fish and water pollution.
• If the swim is a benefit/fundraiser, think about those who will benefit from that fundraiser. I have felt such gratitude for my health, fitness and skills during such events. I give thanks to God for the freedom to swim and be in the outdoors, rather than be sick in a hospital or connected to a dialysis or radiation machine. Gratitude and freedom is an awesome fuel for me.
• In a cable swim stay as close to the cable/rope as possible. It allows you to swim straight.
• Don't budge from that position on the cable. Racing etiquette allows slow swimmers to be wherever they want to position themselves. Faster swimmers must initiate passing a slower swimmer by going to the outside.
• Be aggressive on the turns. Don't slow up. If you pause at a turn you may discover how fatigued you really are.
• Never look to see who may be behind you. You are ahead of others. That's all that is important.
• Visualize yourself gaining on the leaders of the race. It might actually be happening!
• Don't hesitate to draft. It's part of the game. Do get gutsy and make efforts to pass.
• If you have tides, currents, wind or waves, regardless of their power or direction, imagine that they are somehow helping to push you along.
• If you are swimming head on into waves, imagine your body as a powerful ship slicing through the water.

Successful open water swimming involves proper training, efficient stroke, common sense, a healthy mental attitude and spiritual awareness. If you can implement all these aspects of swimming in open water, you will have an enjoyable, satisfying swim.

Coach Elaine Fincham
San Marcos Masters