How to deal with currents in open water competitions?

Swim upstream is an extra effort, so we need to save the most of the forces if we want to reach the final sprint with guarantees.

 

 

Nothing better than an expert in open water swimming as it is Héctor Ruíz Champion of Spain in 5k and 10k in the 2014 and 2011, Spanish Champion of Open Water Swimming 2012 and Sub-champion of Spain Absolute in Long Distance (5 k) 2013, to tell us some tips on how to face the currents in the triathlon competitions where it is usual to swim in open water

 

Open water competitions can be held in the sea, rivers, canals and reservoirs. In all of them the currents can change unexpectedly, either by the tides or by the wind. Swim against the current It is an extra effort, that's why we need to save the most of the forces if we want to reach the final sprint with guarantees.

 

What to do?

One of the great advantages of open water is that you can swim freely wherever you want, this causes the "drafting" to intervene, which is to take advantage of a swimmer who swims faster than you are behind or to the side.

 

The first one we will comment on is the "Drafting" one after the other:

 

To be effective, you will have to locate yourself between 30 and 70cm of the feet of the front. This strategy will give you an advantage over the opponent as it supposes a reduction of the water resistance of 20% where you can win between 2 "and 3" at your average pace in the 100m.

• Advantages: You do not have to raise your head with what you will avoid having to be aware of looking for the buoy by raising your head and getting tired more.

• Drawbacks: If the swimmer in front of you does not have good orientation, you will end up swimming more than necessary.

 

The other method we will talk about is the "Drafting" side by side:

 

On this occasion we will be next to the swimr just at the height of your hip. In this way we will take advantage of the wave that our rival makes. Once you are in position, you will have to match your swimming speed with his for efficient drafting. If he accelerates, you must accelerate, so if he decreases his swimming speed you will have to decrease it.

• Advantages: We can look at the buoy to guide us and know if we are in the right direction and shorter.

• Drawbacks: The blows I can give you

 

It is important, then, that you put this method into practice in your next training and future competitions