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Open Water
Rating
Open water swimming is swimming in natural bodies of water (lake, sea, river), as opposed to swimming in a pool. It's a standard part of triathlon and also a separate competitive discipline.
In detail
Unlike a pool, open water has no lane markings on the bottom and no walls to push off from; instead there are waves, currents, water temperature, and the need to navigate by buoys — swimming a 'straight line' in open water requires a separately trained skill (sighting — periodically lifting your head to check your bearings).
How to use it
Before your first open water start, be sure to practice in similar conditions beforehand — panic from unfamiliar surroundings (waves, lack of visibility to the bottom) hinders beginners more often than lack of physical fitness.