Swimming

Most triathletes build structured plans for cycling and running, but when it comes to swimming many assume you need a coach poolside to make meaningful progress. The reality is that with the right approach, tools, and feedback methods, you can improve your swim substantially as a self-coached athlete — and many age-groupers do exactly this….

The Risk Is Real — But Manageable The mass swim start in triathlon is one of the few endurance sporting scenarios where participants face genuine, immediate physical risk from environmental and physiological factors beyond simple fitness. Open water incidents do occur, and understanding the mechanisms behind them — and what to do about it —…

When Is Open Water Safe in the UK? For most UK triathletes, open water training restarts in April or May — but “safe” depends on water temperature, your wetsuit, and acclimatisation. Here’s a practical guide to getting back into open water this spring without the cold-shock surprises. UK Water Temperature by Month Month Typical Temp…

Why Open Water Safety Matters Open water swimming is one of the great joys of triathlon and outdoor sport — but it carries real risks that pool swimming does not. Every year, preventable accidents occur in open water due to cold shock, overestimation of ability, poor preparation or failure to use basic safety equipment. This…

Flat-pool swimmers often discover on race day that open water behaves very differently from the lane ropes. Choppy water can disrupt rhythm, increase anxiety, and slow you down significantly if you haven’t trained for it. The good news: a few targeted techniques transform choppy water from a weakness into a non-issue. Why Choppy Water is…

Swim anxiety is one of the most common challenges triathletes face, affecting beginners and experienced athletes alike. The combination of cold water, a crowded start, limited visibility, and the pressure of race day can trigger a panic response that derails an otherwise well-prepared race. The good news: swim anxiety is manageable, and most athletes who…

Open water swimming is one of the most liberating parts of triathlon — but it carries genuine risks that pool swimming does not. Understanding and managing those risks means you can enjoy open water with confidence. This guide covers everything every triathlete should know before entering natural open water. Know the Risks Before You Get…

You've trained in the pool for months. Your stroke is smooth, your bilateral breathing is consistent, and your CSS pace is on point. Then race day arrives and the open water is choppy — you swallow a mouthful on the first stroke and your whole race unravels. Choppy water is one of the biggest challenges…