Alex Yee has triumphed in the triathlon at the Paris Olympic Games, winning a gold medal thanks to a heroic effort in the men’s individual event. The determined 26 year old looked to be on course to match his silver medal in the Tokyo 2021 event, but he dug deep in the very stages to pass New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde close to the finish line.
Yee followed up this amazing achievement with a bronze in the Mixed Relay, with Team GB missing out on silver by less than a hair’s breadth. Yee was chosen to be one of Britain’s flag bearers at the Olympic closing ceremony, alongside the gold medal winning gymnast Bryony Page.
Yee said after hearing the news: “I’m really excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to be one of the Team GB flagbearers. It means a lot to me. The Closing Ceremony is a key part of the Olympic experience and having not got to experience it in Tokyo, I wanted to come to it in Paris.”
No doubt the thrilling performance by the GB triathlon team will inspire a new generation of athletes to try their hand at open water swimming. Here’s an overview of how to get started.
How can you get into competitive open water swimming?
For potential triathletes, the open water swimming stage is often the most daunting prospect and requires the steepest learning curve. It’s often easiest to join a swimming club or group, where more experienced members will be on hand to offer guidance, advice and moral support. It’s also much safer than swimming on your own.
The open water swimming community is friendly and welcoming, and there are many clubs and groups around the UK. Some of these are informal gatherings for group swims in the sea or rivers, and charge low or no joining fees or subscriptions.
More formal clubs may charge a membership fee, which will give you access to lessons, training sessions and club events and competitions. This is ideal if you have no previous experience of open water swimming.
What kit do you need for open water swimming?
Having the right gear can make a significant difference to your experience in the water. Although it’s not essential to wear a wetsuit, most swimmers do so to improve their buoyancy and to provide insulation from the cold.
Make sure that your wetsuit is specifically designed for swimming rather than other activities such as water skiing, to ensure that you have flexibility and freedom of movement in the water. It should fit snugly, but not feel uncomfortable or restrict your movement.
Goggles are essential to protect your eyes and make it easier for you to navigate. A brightly coloured swim cap is also essential to improve your visibility to others, including any lifeguard and rescue services should you get into difficulties.
A changing robe is useful to help you quickly get dry and dressed as soon as you get out of the water, minimising the risk of hypothermia setting in on very cold days.
What are the challenges of open water swimming?
The transition from swimming in a pool to natural bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or the sea can be challenging. Open water swimmers need to contend with much lower water temperatures, changeable weather conditions, longer distances, and navigation without clear boundaries to guide them.
If you are not used to cold water, it’s important to acclimatise gradually rather than jump straight in. Cold water can cause a shock to the system and even be dangerous, leading to an elevated heart rate and blood pressure, cramps, and hyperventilation. If this happens, try to float on your back, control your breathing and signal for help if you can.
How does open water swimming technique differ from pool swimming?
When swimming in open water, you will need to learn to adapt to a much wider range of conditions than you would in a controlled pool environment. The water will be much choppier and you will need to regularly adjust your breathing technique, and also get used to looking around for landmarks to help you navigate and stay on course.
You will also need to develop the endurance to swim much longer distances, and learn to pace yourself and cope with swimming in a group or in proximity to other water users.
