Having participated in many open water swim mass starts and coached numerous athletes through them, I understand that the biggest fear for most isn’t the swim itself, but rather the chaotic start—being crammed around others, all vying for the same space in the water. I’ve had my fair share of rough swim starts that have ruined my races, but I’ve since used those experiences to give myself an edge. Recently, I had the fastest swim at my local triathlon by steering clear of the ruckus caused by a few of my swimming friends. I also applied another technique to comfortably finish in the lead pack during the 2022 World Sprint Triathlon in Montreal.
I’m going to share my advice on what to do—and what not to do—during a swim start, drawing from my years of experience as both a competitor and a coach.
How to Position Yourself for a Mass Swim Start
This might sound obvious, but it’s crucial: if you don’t expect to finish near the front of the swim, don’t start there. You’re likely to get grabbed, hit, and even swum over (mostly unintentionally). It won’t be a pleasant experience. I’ve seen people panic because they weren’t confident in their swimming abilities to begin with.
The reverse is also true. At my first half-distance triathlon, I started towards the back because my goal was just to finish rather than go fast. I ended up swimming much further and had a few accidental collisions because I had to zigzag around slower swimmers who had started ahead of me.
Why You Shouldn’t Follow Other Swimmers Blindly in a Race
With all the confusion and adrenaline of a mass start, I strongly recommend not blindly following anyone, even if you’re competing with a friend. When the starter goes off, your instincts kick in, all rationale disappears, and those technique points you’ve practiced so long become nonexistent—you just swim. Everyone else is in the same boat. I’ve seen swimmers veer into the path of oncoming swimmers, collide with support kayaks, and even swim into a flock of swans!
Make sure you’re aware of where you’re going and what’s around you.
The Benefits of Starting a Swim Near Someone You Know
That said, starting next to someone you know can be beneficial. They’re more likely to be conscious of where you are, making them less likely to swim into you. You’ll also shield each other from other swimmers. People tend to spread out into available spaces before the start, so if you and your friends are in one area, others will naturally spread elsewhere.
Of course, if you’re competitive and don’t want your friends drafting off you, it’s best to keep some distance!
How to Plan Your Swim Start Based on the Course
It’s helpful to know which side of the swim start the first turn buoy is on. For example, if you start on the right side but the buoy is on the left, you’d better be comfortable breathing on your left side, or merging with other swimmers could be a painful experience. It’s like driving and trying to merge from two lanes into one without using your mirrors—you’re just hoping for the best! I recommend starting on the side where, when you breathe, you can see most of the other swimmers.
Avoiding Slower Swimmers and How to Improve Your Swim Time
If you find yourself stuck behind someone and feel like you’re swimming at a pace that’s too comfortable, don’t waste time—get around them as quickly as possible. The longer you stay behind a slower swimmer, the further ahead those at your speed will pull, making it harder for you to catch up. I made this mistake just last year, spending 400m of a 1500m swim behind someone swimming about 10 seconds per 100m slower than my target pace. By the time I realised I needed to pass, it was too late. I ended up swimming the last 1000m alone, trying to catch up.
Understanding Currents and Tides in Open Water Swims
If you watched the recent Olympics in Paris, you would have seen the impact of currents in the Seine. While I haven’t had to deal with tides personally, I have coached athletes who have. We have a local triathlon in a tidal harbour. The fastest way to complete the swim there is to swim out close to the harbour wall and return as close to the center of the water as possible because the currents are fastest in the middle and push against you on the way out. It’s always good to speak to people familiar with the course or even some officials beforehand so you know where it’s easiest to swim, and then position yourself accordingly at the start.
Final Thoughts On Navigating A Mass Swim Start
Even if you do everything right, things can and will sometimes go wrong. The key is not to get flustered—stay composed and focus on the moment you’re in. You’ll get to the end of your swim in the best possible way if you keep everything together.
Good luck on your next (or first) mass swim start!
If you have any questions, get in touch with me at chris@efficient-endurance.com.
We also provide coaching and event training plans. You could use all of these tips with one of our 5k swim training plans!
Comentarios