Are you all at sea when it comes to swim sighting? We share three key tips to help you get it right for race day, and make sure you don’t end up heading in the wrong direction.
Once you’ve become comfortable with all three tips, you should be able to follow the correct course without losing race position, correct yourself when needed, and – as a last resort – take a breather without stopping.
Step one
Looking forward while taking a breath is a tricky balancing act. Keep head up enough to see fully, but low enough to keep the lowest eye socket only just above the water line.
Step two
When a wave, fellow competitor or sunshine causes mis-sighting, press more firmly below your body with one hand while lifting the head fully out of the water. The legs will drop, though, which increases drag, so use sparingly.
Step three
If all else fails, using the odd bit of breaststroke will give you a higher vantage point to spot your sighting point, breathe and change muscle use. It may slow you down but at least you can restart in the right direction.
(All images: Jonny Gawler)
For lots more performance advice head to our Training section