The Vmps Open Water Swim Clinic is designed to help swimmers of all levels become more confident and effective during the swim segment of a triathlon. Participants spend the majority of the clinic in the lake practicing the skills needed in open water swimming. Fearful beginners work on learning how to relax and breathe while swimming in a lake. Intermediate and advanced swimmers work on skills like sighting and drafting which will help them to navigate the swim course in a triathlon more quickly. All this is done under the watchful eyes of experienced coaches and life guards.
After a warm up swim, the coaches divide the class into smaller groups based on ability. They cover most of the topics in the small group format while swimming in the lake, and then reconvene into a larger group to practice triathlon swim starts, swimming in a crowd, and drafting.
Topics Covered
Triathlon swim starts
Dealing with anxiety during the swim
Bilateral breathing
Sighting
Swimming straight in the open water
Swimming with a crowd
Drafting
Turning at buoys
Exiting the water