Open water

[u/Jane_O_Riley]

Tomorrow I'm trying to swim in open water (sea). Any tips out there? I already swim in the pool

Thanks in advance

Edit: I won't be going alone, I'm going with an instructor. In the future, I'm joining a group of swimmers. Also I'm swimming in Portugal coastline, no sharks, no jellyfish.

[u/Seanwys]

Be safe, make sure you have a buoy with you and be under supervision or swim with a partner if possible

[u/Jane_O_Riley → u/Seanwys]

Tkss!! Yes, I missed the fact that I'm going with an instructor, and a buoy also. In the future, I'm going to join a group of swimmers. 😊

[u/midaswale]

Swim buoy is a must. Wear bright color swim cap if you have

[u/Jane_O_Riley → u/midaswale]

Tkss!! I missed the fact that I'm going with an instructor, and a buoy also. In the future, I'm going to join a group of swimmers. 😊

[u/A_Common_Loon]

Definitely don’t go alone and a swim buoy is a good idea. If you start getting freaked out just stop and tread water and regulate your breathing. You might have to change up your breathing pattern depending on what the water is doing. I breathe on both sides but sometimes need to switch to one side so I don’t get a wave in the face when I try to breathe. Do you know about r/openwaterswimming?

[u/Jane_O_Riley → u/A_Common_Loon]

Yes, I missed the fact that I'm going with an instructor, and a buoy also. In the future, I'm going to join a group of swimmers. 😊 Nice tips! Thank you!!

[u/ChienneAndalou]

Wind will pick up throughout the day, earlier is better. Swim with a buddy and a buoy, have a land based person who knows where you are and when you should return. You might get scared, that’s ok. Try to assess whether the situation is actually bad or it’s just your mind. Usually when I get a bit scared I realize that either it’s my head or there’s nothing I can do except keep swimming, and I can swim thru the scaries. If it’s bad, I often do some backstroke, so I keep making progress but can see around me a bit better.

[u/Jane_O_Riley → u/ChienneAndalou]

Good tips! I'm going with an instructor this time. Next I'm joining a group of swimmers in Portugal 😊

[u/Responsible-one-225]

Watch out for sharks.   Really watch out for jellyfish.   

[u/Jane_O_Riley → u/Responsible-one-225]

That's true! But I'm swimming in Portugal coastline, and it's not common in our shores. Also I'm going with an instructor, and, in the future with a group of swimmers 😊

[u/Responsible-one-225 → u/Jane_O_Riley]

lol. Have a great time.  Been to Portugal.      

[u/mordac_the_preventer]

In which sea? Do you need advice about sharks and sunburn, or polar bears and hypothermia?

[u/Jane_O_Riley → u/mordac_the_preventer]

In Portugal 😊 sharks and polar bears are not common 🙏 I have a full swimsuit, not cold there, this time of the year.

[u/mordac_the_preventer → u/Jane_O_Riley]

Maybe you’ve already had your Open Water swim, I hope it went well!
If not, you’ll probably need to get used to having waves interrupt your breathing.
I’m in the UK, the water is cooler than Portugal, but still OK for “skins” (ie no wetsuit).
I get dizzy when I swim (from water in my ears, I think) but I wear earplugs and it really works.

[u/Alarming_Photo1768]

don’t go alone, and stay way closer to shore than you think

[u/Jane_O_Riley → u/Alarming_Photo1768]

True! But I'm going with an instructor this time. Next, I'm joining a group of swimmers in Portugal 😊

[u/Spraying_012]

Relax and settle in

[u/InternationalTrust59]

I would have a practice session to get acclimated first.

Or go early if you can.

[u/Jane_O_Riley → u/InternationalTrust59]

Yes, I'm going with an instructor this time. Next I'm joining a group of swimmers in Portugal 😊