Swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool because the water looks dark and is usually colder. Give yourself time to get used to the new swimming environment.

The biggest difference from pool swimming is that you can't see the bottom and there are no ropes, so the swimmer has to look for direction from the surface of the water. Choose landmarks on land (e.g. a cottage on the beach, a pier) and orient towards them. Lift your head out of the water enough so that your eyes are above the water surface and orient yourself every five strokes.

When open water starts to feel familiar, it's worth going swimming in stronger winds. Waves bring their own challenges to open water swimming, but you can learn to swim in them with practice. Remember to orient yourself often enough and focus on swimming at your own leisurely pace!

The waters stay warm, even though the air sometimes gets cold during the summer, so you can usually swim all summer long. In cooler weather, it's a good idea to keep your clothes on well before swimming and especially afterwards to avoid chilling your muscles and catching a cold.

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