Sighting - Triathlon Week

Hernan96 · 05-28-2006, 03:19 PM

I am back into the sport after 10 years. I have several races planned for the season. I have been swimming since November. I started doing open water swims with a group but I have questions about sighting. What is the best advice?

sfricks · 05-29-2006, 07:22 AM

Open water sighting is a critical part of the open water swim. It can make the difference between swimming 2.4 miles and 3.4 miles in an Ironman.What makes this so difficult is that most athletes are focused on where they are (the water) and the markers in the water designed to guide them. Here are a few guides I've learned to use.
- Swim 7-10 strokes between sighting.
- If the water's clear (most of the time it's not) use markers on the bottom like lines on a pool to guide you.
- *IMPORTANT* Do a pre-race reconisance swim if possible. Use this swim to get "horizon markers" to sight on. Horizon markers could be tall buildings, natural landmarks or any visible landmarks that you can see well above the water line that is beyond the swim bouys and markers. - Did I explain this OK?
- Finally, it is much better to stop swimmimg and tread water to make absolutely sure you're on course than to keep swimming behind someone who may be way off course.
HTH

Hernan96 · 05-29-2006, 11:41 AM

Scott,

Thanks, I appreciate that advice. I do have a question though, what to do if there are no high level landmarks? Is that when you recommend to tread water and make sure I am on course? That was big help I kept sighting for the buoy and forgot about landmarks. I use landmarks all the time when I surf to see where the peak is breaking. I never thought to use the same concepy for a open water swim. This will be me on course from now on I bet.

Chris

sfricks · 05-30-2006, 04:54 AM

Yes Chris, you should tread water to sight on bouys AND the mass pack of swimmers (unless you're in front of course). You can also use perpendicular landmarks as well. In other words, if when you breathe there is a prominant landmark (I've even used the sun) at the 9:00 or 3:00 of your bodies long axis, you can get a general idea of direction. HTH

Hernan96 · 05-30-2006, 01:54 PM

Scott,

All this talk as to how to sight as in finding landmarks and such. I forgot to ask how to sight mid-swim. Meaning how do I do this without really disturbing my stroke pattern? Is this possible?

Chris

jwier92 · 05-30-2006, 03:56 PM

Chris,

I think that is what Scott is saying, to find a mark at 3 and 9 o'clock. This way you can sight durring breaths. Best way is to look for these durring your warm up.

Also switching from freestyle to a breast stroke for sighting. Practice this in the pool before hand.

Jason

sfricks · 05-30-2006, 05:36 PM

Chris, I usually just take one breath of every 7 to 10 strokes as a "sighting" breath. When taking this breath, just after inhaling I rotate my head forward and "peek: to get my bearing. DO NOT STOP TO STARE. Your legs will sink and your stroke will be thown way off. If you don't see what you're looking for, dont panic. There are MANY times when you still will not see the bouy or you landmark so this may have to be repeated a few consecutive times in order to confirm your bearing. Waves and other swimmers may block your view. Just keep making forward progress and "peeking". Repeat the "peeking" stroke until you find your mark. Once you do, resume your normal 7-10 normal stroke count. If after repeated attempts you cannot find your mark, THEN AND ONLY THEN stop & tread water to allign yourself.

The reference to "side sighting" at the 6 & 9 o'clock positions specifically refers to those swims where there are no prominent landmarks in front of you such as a swim out into a large lake or the ocean. This technique does not work nearly as well, particullary on long swims So use it as a last resort.

Again, my explanations may be lacking so if I haven't done the technique justice, feel free to ask. As Jason says, this is bst practiced in a pool long before race day. TO "teach myself to swim straight, I'll do the following drill some times. Try swimmimg 7-10 strokes in a pool lane with your eyes closed, then forward to the end of the pool (not the lane line) and repeat. HTH

hmullett · 06-07-2006, 05:59 AM

My half IM last year, I swam a little extra because I overshot two buoys. So, I've been trying to practice sighting in the pool a little more. I also "peek" about every 10 strokes. I've tried the landmark sighting, but that's what bit me last year.