HOW TO OVERCOME FEAR OF OPEN-WATER SWIMMING

If you're considering doing your first tri after watching the Games it's likely the swim element is causing you some concern. But the good news is that you can build confidence in the pool first...

- BEN BRIGHT

Swimming in the open water compared to in the pool requires much of the same skillset with a few new ones added in. One of the biggest factors can be fear – it’s scary swimming with less of a safety net than in the pool, particularly in a race when it’s like a version of head-bobbing dodgems. Everyone thinks they’re the only one swimming straight and that everyone else is out to get them, but rest assured that no-one is swimming straight and everyone is just trying to get through, carrying various levels of stress and fear along for the ride.