One of the unique challenges the sport of open-water swimming brings to the table is sighting. It is the ability of a swimmer to effectively lift their head up to maintain a straight course. It might sound easy enough, but sighting is an advanced technique that even intermediate swimmers and triathletes find it hard to master.
There is this demand in open water swimming that requires athletes to not only be equipped with physical endurance, but with navigation skills as well. Unlike in the pool, where lanes and walls are there to keep them in a straight line, the open water is done in a primitive-like environment where athletes must navigate themselves, spot for landmarks and swim in a straight enough line and not get off course.
𝐖𝐇𝐘 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒
SENSE OF DIRECTION: Again, the open water doesn’t have black lines, lane buoys, walls or flags that serve as markers. In short, they lack visual cues except for brightly-colored buoys for distance turns. If a swimmer lacks sighting, they can easily veer off course and add unnecessary distance and time to their swim.
SAFETY FIRST: Effective sighting helps swimmers avoid other athletes, watch out for marine life, and to some extent, stay away from boats, kayaks, and divers that are deployed as convoys, and first aid and rescue teams.
MORE ENERGY: Swimmers who know how to sight will spend less energy and maintain their pace and rhythm, as well as their stamina, to make a strong finish up to the podium.
STRATEGY: Sighting allows swimmers to be mentally prepared and track their position. They can pinpoint potential rivals and swim through the sea of swimmers with ease.
𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄
The pool is probably the best place for an athlete to practice sighting. Its controlled environment, calm waters, and minimal distraction can elevate their sighting game and hone it to perfection.
STRAIGHT LINE DRILL: Athletes can visualize swimming in murky water by closing their eyes for a few strokes and then lifting their heads to check if they are still swimming straight.
IDENTIFY LANDMARKS: Use certain objects like the diving board, a pull buoy or a kickboard, a coach’s chair, or practically anything that can serve as landmarks. Practice sighting and direct your swim towards them.
HEAD-UP SWIMMING: Also known as Tarzan swim or Water Polo drill, this will require the swimmer to swim with their head out of the water for a set number of strokes. This will build their neck and shoulder muscles, as well as to familiarize them with frequent sightings.
BREATHING PATTERNS: Breathing every three or five strokes can be beneficial if an athlete is learning how to sight. They can do this by swapping a stroke, doing a head lift, and continuing with their pattern afterward.
Mastering the art of sighting and navigation is a must for triathletes and open-water swimmers. This will not come easy, but pool access and occasional open water sessions will come with awesome benefits, including prolonged endurance, energy conservation, and a perfect stroke without disrupting their rhythm.
