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…
The swim exit is one of the most overlooked skills in triathlon. In the excitement and exhaustion of completing the swim, most age-groupers stumble out of the water and waste precious seconds before reaching T1. A few focused practice sessions and some simple technique changes can save you significant time at every race. The Dolphin…
Why Wetsuit Thickness Matters Wetsuit thickness directly affects two things that matter in triathlon: warmth and flexibility. Thicker neoprene provides more insulation and buoyancy but restricts shoulder movement, slowing your swim stroke. Thinner neoprene gives you more freedom in the water but offers less protection in colder temperatures. Getting the balance right for your water…
Why Open Water is Different from the Pool If you’ve only ever trained in a pool, your first open water swim can feel like a different sport entirely. There are no lane ropes to hold onto, no black line on the bottom to follow, no wall to push off every 25 metres — and depending…
Choosing the right wetsuit thickness is one of the most important decisions an open water swimmer or triathlete faces. Get it wrong and you risk being too cold to perform — or too buoyant and restricted. Here is how to choose the right thickness for UK open water conditions. Why Wetsuit Thickness Matters Wetsuit thickness…
For most UK triathletes, the biggest psychological hurdle of the season is not the run or the bike — it is the first open water swim of the year. Cold water triggers a powerful physiological response that can overwhelm even experienced swimmers if they are not prepared for it. The good news is that cold…
Critical Swim Speed (CSS) is to swimming what FTP is to cycling — it’s your benchmark aerobic threshold pace, and it’s one of the most useful numbers you can know as a triathlete. Training at and around your CSS pace builds aerobic capacity, improves lactate clearance, and makes race-pace swimming feel more manageable. This guide…
Choosing your first triathlon wetsuit is one of the most important gear decisions you’ll make. The right suit adds buoyancy, warmth, and speed — the wrong one leaves you fighting the water and tensing your shoulders for the entire swim. Here’s everything you need to know before you buy. Why You Need a Wetsuit In…
Head-up display (HUD) swim goggles are transforming how triathletes train in the pool and open water. These smart goggles project real-time performance data directly into your line of sight—lap times, pace, stroke rate, distance, and even heart rate—eliminating the need to stop and check your watch mid-set. For triathletes serious about improving swim efficiency, HUD…
Making the leap from pool swimming to open water can feel daunting, but it’s an essential skill for triathlon success. The good news? With the right preparation and mindset, you’ll soon discover that open water swimming offers a freedom and excitement that no pool can match. Why Open Water Is Different The controlled environment of…
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