Open Water Source - The Global Home of Open Water Swimming     
Open Water Source

 
Steven Munatones
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Getting Started
in Open Water Swimming

So you can't swim.  Or you can barely swim.  Or you only splashed around as a kid. 
What do you do?  What should you do?  How do you get started?  Here is what one man did!

Marcellus Wiley says, "It's Your Turn."



Believe To Achieve

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Starting from Zero in the Open Water

From Frowns To Smiles

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Swimming can be frustrating: body rotation, arm strokes, kicking and breathing must be coordinated and streamlined in order to feel smooth and in control.

Take it easy and take it slowly.  Step by step.  Stroke by stroke.  Lap by lap.  Day by day.  Month by month.  Enjoy the journey.  Relish improvement. 

Learning how to swim - like anything new in life - is challenging, but rewarding.   Swimming is a game of micro improvements. 

NFL All-Pro and ESPN football analyst Marcellus Wiley first convinced himself that swimming was within his realm of possibility. He asked for help. Then he put his swimsuit on, bought a pair of goggles, found a pool and jumped in.
Finally, he was patient - and started working diligently on conquering his fears.

What do you need? 
Check out the four key steps below.


Four Key Steps to Getting Started:


Step 1: Get The Equipment

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Good-fitting goggles, comfortable swimsuit and a swim cap and wetsuit if necessary.


Goggles:  If your eyesight is poor, you can also purchase optical goggles or prescription goggles.  No piece of equipment will be as important as a pair of snug-fitting goggles that do not leak or fog.

Fins: Using fins can help you improve your kick, leg position and body position, help improve your ankle flexibility and make you feel that you are moving well in the water. 

Pull Buoy:  Float higher in the water as you concentrate on your arm strokes.  .

Kickboard:  Work exclusively on your legs with a kickboard.  Train hard or simply enjoy moving through the water - especially with fins on.

Hand paddles:  Improve your upper body strength and your hand movement through the water with hand paddles that come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Swimmer's Snorkel: Snorkels will help you maintain the optimal head position and focus on your swimming technique and come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

Gadgets: There are a wide variety of tools, training equipment, fancy gadgets and software programs that can be utilized after you get the fundamentals down.  For now, enjoy and improve yourself without overloading yourself with too many gadgets.



2. Find A Pool

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Locate a pool with  regularly-scheduled hours so you can establish a routine.  Consistency is key.  Establish a routine and look forward to each and every swim practice.

U.S. Masters Swimming provides a nationwide database of pools and teams.  Other countries have similar databases.

3. Talk To A Good Coach

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Go online.  Talk with the coaches at the closest adult swimming team near you. 
A coach with enthusiasm and experience is worth the money.

4. Take It Slowly

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Improvement will come ... over time.  Learn all four strokes.  Watch videos online.  Enjoy open water swims and go to  conferences.


Swimnetwork swimming video player

How Did Marcellus Go from Unable to Swim to Swimming a Mile in the Ocean?

He took his time.  He learned from a great coach.  He accepted the frustration of learning something new.  He realized he would get out of breath at times.  And, most importantly, he enjoyed every bit of progress along the way.
Taking It One Step At A Time
 

Meeting The Challenge



  

OWS Member Application

If you would like to see Open Water Source from the inside, then the next step is to submit the member application.

Watch the video on the left to learn how you can join Open Water Source for free.  We show you how easy it is to claim your membership in the Open Water Source community.

You will be pleased to know that we offer a variety of membership levels, including free membership.

Click HERE to access the membership application, and we will see you on the inside of this exciting community.

  

Open Water Wednesday

Open Water Wednesday is a regularly scheduled, entertaining one-hour online TV show that focuses exclusively on open water swimming, its superstars (both past and current), its personalities, trends, growth, equipment , rules, traditions and events. Open Water Wednesday showcases swimmers, coaches, escort pilots, sponsors, administrators, officials and race directors who will describe their exploits, lifestyles and perspectives on air.

Click HERE to sign-up today!


Use Open Water Source To Help Achieve Your Swimming Goals

This online property is meant to provide you with every bit of information and links to resources that you can use to reach your goals in the water.  Find a coach, learn best practices, study training methodologies, read about different bits of equipment, take a specialty open water swimming tour, listen and watch inspirational people on Open Water Wednesday

Open Water Source will go into depth on innovative training programs such as POW.  The latest developments in swimming equipment and training methodologies will be analyzed and presented in easy-to-understand formats.

Marcellus Wiley did it.  So can you.


    Are you looking for inspiration?  Looking to get in the water and reach your own goals?  Tell us your own story so we can share with others.

 
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