In this episode, Tim and Emz break down the realities of open water swimming — from cold, dark canal swims to the mental game of staying calm when conditions feel chaotic. Using Emz’s recent triathlon simulation as the starting point, they explore why confidence in open water comes from skill, rehearsal, and smart race-day decisions, not just fitness.
The conversation covers practical tactics like finding feet, using crocodile eyes for sighting, choosing landmarks, breathing patterns, and why stroke rate often matters more than trying to look “perfect” in the water. They also connect swim technique to the broader Cartel Coaching philosophy: train for durability, not just one event.
Key Topics
Emz’s canal swim simulation in Noosa
Managing fear, panic, and dark open-water conditions
Finding feet and staying with a group
Sighting with “crocodile eyes”
Breathing patterns for training vs racing
Why breathing every two is often best on race day
Using landmarks to stay on course
The difference between pool technique and open-water technique
Stroke rate vs stroke length in open water
Training for skill, durability, and confidence
Main Takeaways
Open water confidence comes from repeated exposure, not just theory.
Sight often, but keep it efficient — lift only the eyes, not the whole head.
Train bilateral breathing so you can adapt to waves, glare, and race conditions.
In racing, breathing every two is usually more effective than forcing every three.
A good open water swimmer is often fast, rhythmic, and adaptable rather than “perfect” in form.
Skill practice matters as much as fitness, especially in triathlon.
Practical Tips Mentioned
Practice in groups whenever possible.
Use landmarks on shore to help navigate.
Keep your hips high and your body long in the water.
Build sighting into your breathing rhythm.
Train in a variety of conditions so race day feels familiar.
Focus on technique cues that hold up under pressure.
Don’t confuse training drills with race-day strategy.
Memorable Quote
“Training we use three, racing we use two.”
Audience Relevance
This episode is especially useful for:
Triathletes preparing for open water swims
Adult-onset swimmers learning to feel comfortable in the water
Athletes who panic or lose confidence in open water
Coaches looking for practical swim cues and race-day strategies
Closing Thought
Open water swimming is as much about managing uncertainty as it is about swimming fast. The more you rehearse the skill, the less the race day conditions control you.
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