Swimming is one sport that requires the swimmers to perform using numerous tricks and techniques. An expert swimmer not only keeps his entire body fit and active but also adapts to the various different styles of swimming. If you are in the process of receiving advanced swim lessons in North Richland Hills or if you are a swimmer participating in competitions, you already know that even years of practice might not be enough to improve your overall efficiency. There are several challenges and obstacles that swimmers face and open water sighting is a prominent one among them. Sighting is a skill which takes considerable time to be developed and even more time to be perfected. But at the same time, it is a much-needed skill because losing sight while swimming is certainly not desirable at all. So, how can open water sighting efficiency be developed and improved? Here is a list of effective tips for all swimmers and especially, the triathletes.
- A common misconception leads to many swimmers trying to keep their heads above the water with the intention of seeing better. But the fact is that you should ideally lift your head only to a certain extent and as much as necessary. Now, the way you swim largely depends on what type of water body you are swimming in. So, while swimming in comparatively calm water bodies like lakes or rivers, lift only your eyes out of the water and your sight will be better than expected.
- On the other hand, when you swim in oceans, first tune your body to the rise and fall of the water. So, when the water rises, you are sighting on top of the wave and naturally getting the best view.
- It is in the unpredictable water conditions that you need to lift your head a little too high above the water. But the trick here is to reduce the number of times you need to see to a considerable extent. You need to breathe too and while breathing to the side, take a look at the landmarks and other swimmers in order not to lose track.
- Make sure that you don’t breathe when you are looking forward. Roll your head to the side to breathe and stop breathing to look forward straight with your eyes. The idea is to separate the two actions so that the efficiency level in performing both increases accordingly.
- Now, whenever you prepare yourself for a sighting, press down your arm in the process of the stroke. This will naturally lift your upper body a little, making it easier for you to raise the head. And while lifting the head, make sure that you arch back. This is very important because the more you arch back, the more convenient it will be for you to let your legs stay near the surface. The natural drag or pull of the water will be felt less as a result of this.
- While sighting in open water, engage in extra hard kicks sometimes if not always. Hard kicks help you maintain the forward speed and prevent your feet from dropping and losing balance in the process.
- Now, a very important pointer at the end. When you have almost mastered the art of open water sighting, set about adapting the technique of sighting 2-3 times in a row during each stroke. Expert swimmers usually use the first sight to locate the buoy, the second sight to check and adjust the angles and the third to make sure that he is swimming in the desired direction. Once you have done this, keep swimming for not less than 30 seconds before repeating the process.
Knowing about these tips and learning to master them from your swim lessons in North Richland Hills is not as difficult as you might think it to be. However, it is only practice that can help you reach a level where sighting in open water is no longer an obstacle. Get yourself trained by reputed swimmers and make the most of your swimming classes to achieve your swim goals and emerge a successful swimmer.