In this article I will try to summarize the advice that I would have liked to receive when I started swimming in open water, as well as the websites, mobile apps and accessories that I use to be able to enjoy (safely) swimming in the sea. Advice from a rookie that may be well known to many of you who swim in the sea, but that have given me security and confidence when I was just a first time soaking.

Swimming in the sea: security and confidence.

Most of the problems that we will find when starting to swim in the sea are summarized in mastering the new element (greater buoyancy, but more unstable) and controlling our fears or possible moments of anxiety . To begin to control both anxiety and the elements, the first two premises that I clung to when I started swimming were to buy a swimming buoy in the sea and to be aware of my times/distances in the pool. 

Safety buoys in the sea are small brightly colored inflatables that we carry tied around our waist with a strap. These buoys provide security (they behave like a float), visibility and sealing (most are bags in which we can carry keys, mobile phones, clothes,...). There are several models, although almost all of them have the same construction: a double-layer rectangular bag with a watertight closure thanks to repeatedly folding it on itself. Of this type of buoys we will find several sizes that will allow us to carry more or less things inside:  small (20 liters ),  medium (28 liters)  and  large (35 liters)and also models with a  window to see the mobile screen or a map of the route. Another widely used model is the donut-type swimming buoy , especially for long-distance swimming, since it allows us to carry a container in the center to supply us (in swimming, although we do not sweat, it is also necessary to hydrate). In my opinion, even swimming accompanied, safety buoys for swimming are essential if you want to start swimming in the sea beyond a summer dip.

Read here more about lifeguard class under the instructions of American lifeguard USA.

Along with the safety buoys, the second most important piece of advice that I made my own was “swimming to the sea”. Although salt water, not so in lakes or reservoirs, and neoprene give us extra buoyancy, facilitating movement, security in terms of our abilities as a swimmer will be given to us by the pool, and technique always rules there. If we want to have confidence when swimming a distance in the sea, we have to have done  our homework in the pool before . Personally, the finer I am swimming in the pool, the more confident I swim in the sea and it is precisely this confidence that makes me enjoy it much more.



Reduce anxiety, fear and other burdens when starting to swim in the sea.

We already have a buoy and our weekly meters in the pool, is that enough to enjoy the open water? In theory yes, but even so there are novices to whom the sea gives us a lot of respect and it is not uncommon to get overwhelmed even when we almost touch the bottom with each stroke. The first thing to remember is that the wetsuit and/or the sea water will always help us float, so either leaning on the safety buoy or simply adopting a comfortable position on our backs will help calm our nerves. or to pass the pain of a small pull letting us float for a few moments.

Here are a few tips that have helped me get rid of anxiety and fears when swimming in open water and that can be useful for beginners:

Where and when to swim?

In addition to following the basic rules of not swimming with a red flag, it is best to swim parallel to the shore , thus always having a visual reference that provides a greater sense of security. Although it is true that by increasing the distance to the shore to start swimming we will avoid the area where the waves break, it is not necessary to go much further than that breaking area to swim without problems (remember that you have to come back later).

Always try to go through marked bathing areas , where boats, boats and jet skis are prohibited from entering, but always be careful where the lifeguard jet skis and other services such as scooters or canoe rental leave from the beach. Regardless of the safety buoy, I always recommend swimming with a brightly colored swim cap to increase visibility.

For those of you who are starting to swim, in addition to not straying too far from the shore, a "trick" that can give you more confidence in the first outings is to swim in an area between breakwaters. In this way we will have, in addition to the buildings on the shore, another visual reference. We just have to pay attention not to get too close to the rocks if there are waves and be careful if there are fishermen on the breakwaters.

Orienteering swim:

Having a reference point, in addition to helping us not to go far out into the water and avoid swimming in zig-zags, will help us always stay calm. The lack of references, either because we swim perpendicular to the shore or due to strong waves, is usually one of the most common reasons for being overwhelmed. Before entering the water it is advisable to previously establish the reference points(buoys, beacons, buildings, trees,...) in which we can keep an eye on throughout the journey we make at sea. Most of the time the point in question will be in front of us so we will only have to look up to see it. The simplest way is to look up just before doing side breathing, increasing the kick frequency if needed to compensate for the imbalance [ videos ]. It is not necessary to do it every time we breathe, but from time to time (depending on the waves and currents) to control the correct direction in which we have to swim.

Accompanied swimming and open water swimming groups:

In addition to safety, swimming with lifeguard requirements in company is one of the best ways to improve and begin to test what it feels like to swim at the feet of another swimmer (and also receive our first blows). In Valencia, for example, there is a very large group of swimmers  [paracone swimmers] who meet up  every week, but no matter how little we search on social networks, it will not be difficult to find similar groups near where we usually swim. These groups, in addition to company, are a reliable source to learn about the dangers inherent in certain beaches (jellyfish, currents, …).

Heat yes or yes.

If in the pool we always do a previous warm-up, both outside the water (mobility) and inside it (several lengths), in the sea it does not have to be different. Performing a few meters before starting to swim will help us, in addition to activating the muscles and warming up, to get rid of our nerves and, above all, to check the real state of the water and see if it is better to turn around.

Waves and weather when swimming in open water.

We all like to swim when we find crystal clear waters and the sea as a "dish", but except for certain days (and getting up a little early), waves in the sea are unavoidable (much less in reservoirs or rivers). The waves will remind us in the first outings of the importance of training breathing on both sides, and not only on our "good side", thus avoiding breathing on the side on which the wave comes or not losing the reference if it is on the opposite side to which we usually breathe. 

Also read about: SWIMMING SAFELY BEING YOU THE RESPONSIBLE