Open Water Swim Skills: Sighting, Drafting, Managing Panic, Wetsuit Fit & Race Day Pacing (IRONMAN Q&A) | Ep 591

About this episode

Coach Rob discusses essential open water swim skills and strategies for triathletes transitioning from pool to open water.

Coach Rob answers the most common questions athletes ask as they move from the pool into open water at the start of the triathlon race season. This week : Why pool speed often doesn't automatically translate to open water... How much time poor sighting can actually cost you over an IRONMAN swim... The crocodile eyes sighting technique, what to sight off, and how to practice it in the pool... The speed benefits of drafting - how to position yourself on someone's feet without annoying them, and the drill to practice with a swim buddy. How to flush your wetsuit properly before the swim start so it fits the way it's designed to... How many open water sessions you really need before race day... Why race day adrenaline makes everyone go off too hard, and how to train pacing awareness in the pool... Using bilateral breathing as both a pacing governor and a tactical tool on race day... Practical strategies for managing cold water panic before the start and during the swim * * * * * * * SPONSORS * * * * * * * * Thinking about your first Ironman or 70.3 in 2026? At ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Team Oxygenaddict,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ we specialise in helping busy…

People in this episode

Host: Rob Wilby

Topics covered

• open water swimming
• triathlon training
• sighting techniques
• drafting
• wetsuit fit
• race day pacing
• managing panic

Keywords

• open water swim
• sighting
• drafting
• wetsuit fit
• race day pacing
• cold water panic
• triathlon

Sponsors

Team Oxygenaddict

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