Open water swimming technique: front crawl efficiency, sighting and drafting for endurance

Open water swimming rewards a different skill set to pool racing. The technique adjustments that matter most over 33.3km come down to conserving energy, maintaining rhythm and staying comfortable in variable conditions across consecutive days.

• High elbow catch and early vertical forearm for maximum propulsion
• Bilateral breathing patterns adapted for open water chop and swell
• Sighting technique that does not break stroke rhythm or body position
• Drafting strategy to reduce effort by up to 20 percent behind faster swimmers

The four skills that separate comfortable finishers from those who struggle are learned only in open water. Our guides break each one down into practical drills you can practise from your first training session through to race week.

• Sighting frequency and head position in different water conditions
• Wave and chop management to maintain rhythm in rough water
• General navigation around an adventure swim route, using the sun, understanding the currents and impact on crossings
• Pacing by effort rather than pace per kilometre across multi day stages