Pool Open Water + Ocean Open Water Swim Practices in the OC
FREE Coached OWS Practices Starts in March
Nova Masters Swim Coach, Michael Collins and Coveathlon Race Director, Natalie Barrad, along with Ingrid Miller, Fearless Endurance Coach, Stephanie Havelka, Surge Swim Method and other recognized open water swim coaches will be offering a series of FREE Open Water Swimming (OWS) Practices at various beaches in Orange County starting this spring (March-May).
These practices will be well organized and have specific purpose with safety personnel to make the experience productive and safe (similar to the weekly practices offered by Tower 26 in Santa Monica). These practices will be challenging, yet skill appropriate for new level athletes up to highly experienced open water swimmers and triathletes who want to get a good open water conditioning workout while working on open water specific skills including entries and exits, turning buoys, swimming in crowds, drafting, and dialing in effort and technique specific to wetsuit swimming.
To participate in the FREE OWS Practices, it is a PRE-REQUISITE to attend one of the Pool Open Water (POW) Clinics offered before attending any of the beach sessions.
The POW Clinics will address the following topics in an easier to learn environment before hitting the open water, as well as be able to define each athletes swim ability and know which practice group to have them in at the beach.
- Wetsuit pacing & calibration test (most triathletes are unaware of what their wetsuit swimming pace is, or the lower effort required to hold the pace they would be happy with).
- Sighting techniques, and eyes closed swimming to see how straight you swim and get more comfortable in dark water.
- How to submerge 3-4 ft underwater in a wetsuit (skill needed to get under waves).
- Buoy turns techniques.
- Dealing with large crowds and getting away from “asshole swimmers” without being too aggressive or getting super frustrated.
- Getting comfortable drafting and swimming close to others.
- What to do in open water if you get “gassed out” or hyperventilate.
The cost for the 3 hour clinic is $150, but includes FREE OWS Practices offered this Spring (Mar-May). Get registered for the next POW clinic:
Sat Mar 28th from 12-3pm @ Woollett Aquatic Center (Irvine HS)
The first 2 OWS Practices will specifically address acclimating to Cold Water and Surf Entries (skills needed for Oceanside 70.3, and other early season races). The first 2 OWS Practices will be held:
Sat Mar 7th 7:00-8:15am @ Huntington Beach
Sun Mar 29th 7:00-8:15am @ Newport Beach
Details for these practices will be sent to the athletes who attend one or both of the POW Clinics. (You only have to pay for one clinic, but can attend both if you want the skills practice.)
For those not in as big of a hurry with an early season race, or not as interested in Cold Water and Surf Entries, we will have an OWS Skills Clinic in the Back Bay at Newport Dunes on Sun April 19th. Details coming soon.
For further info or questions email:
Natalie Barrad at Natalie@areachmarketing.com