MAIN SET
STRATEGY
It was towards the end of a race off Australia’s Sunshine Coast in 2006 that David Davies discovered a little local
knowledge can go a long way. The race involved swimming out against the tide, then back to shore through the surf. “It was a really rough tide, and we Brits struggled,” says the UK Olympic and Commonwealth medalist. “The guys who won weren’t necessarily the quickest swimmers; they just knew how to get the most out of the conditions. “At the end, when we were coming back in, the Australians were just treading water on their front, sculling and waiting for a big wave to come in. If you can get a feel for the waves and the timing, it’s a lot easier. The Australians were a lot more experienced at swimming in the sea and knew what to do at the right time.” There are significant rewards in open water swimming for those who can successfully read tides, currents and wave patterns. If you can get acquainted with water movements and learn how to use them to your advantage, your swim will be far more efficient.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
Planning and research are important for both technique and safety, and you should try to understand the conditions before event day. “Be prepared and get a feel for the water beforehand,” says Davies. “Try to visit the venue at least a few days in advance.” Steven Munatones, editor-in-chief of the Daily News of Open Water Swimming, explains: “For tides, local knowledge is absolutely vital. It also depends on if your swim is point-to- point, out-and-back or geometrically-shaped. Because your position always changes, relative to the currents or tides, your strategy should similarly change throughout the race.” One swim where knowledge of tides and currents is vital is the English Channel. One of the most experienced escort pilots is Michael Oram, the honorary secretary of CS&PF (Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation), who has piloted more than 500 Channel swims over 29 years. He says, “You have to understand the tides to get to where you want to go. Tides are
READING RIVERS Canoeists have to be experts in reading rivers. We asked Helen Reeves, bronze medal winner for the women’s K1 kayak singles at the 2004 Olympic Games, for her top tips. “All rivers are different depending on volume of water,
how steep the river bed is, depth, obstacles, etc. When you’re reading a river, look out for the direction of the flow and breaks in the water. “Watch the way the water moves – if you see ripples, it means the river’s getting shallower or there’s something under the water. You might notice eddy-lines, where flat water meets moving water at an obstruction. The object causes the water to disperse around it, rather than going over it, and this can cause little whirlpools. “If you’re swept downstream, stick close to the sides –
you’ve got more opportunity to find a break in the water. When crossing a river, go at a slight angle against the flow of water to maintain your position.”
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