Portal · Swimming

The first open-water day should be boring

Do not make your first lake or ocean swim a time trial. Swim to a close buoy and back with a friend on the shore. Learn the feeling of no line under you, and of water that is colder than the pool.

If you panic, roll to your back, breathe, and sight the shore. That skill is worth more than a fast 100. Add distance only after two calm sessions. Race morning is a bad place to discover you hate murk.