The Serious Fun Of Triathletes And Open Water Swimmers
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
We have seen and sensed differences between open water swimmers and multi-sport athletes who compete in traditional triathlons or XTERRA World Tour off-road races [shown above and produced by TEAM Unlimited].
Pre-race Ambiance
* Multi-sport athletes are busy with preparing their swim gear, cycling equipment and running wear while open water swimmers are standing swinging their arms and fiddling with their goggles.
* Multi-sport athletes are focused with a level of intensity and seriousness that masks their enjoyment of competition while open water swimmers are relaxed and laid-back with an easygoing manner that masks their intensity and seriousness once they hit the water.
* Multi-sport athletes put on expensive wetsuits with a specific neoprene thickness and prepare their expensive cycling and running gear printed with many sponsor logos while bioprened open water swimmers are appreciative of the free swim cap that comes with their entry fee.
In-race Competition
* Multi-sport athletes check their data and splits in the T1 and T2 transitions and on their bikes and on their wristwatches throughout the race while open water swimmers often find out their official time way after the race is over and sometimes days later.
* Multi-sport athletes prepare and take a variety of scientifically-formulated foods and drinks throughout the race while open water swimmers consume whatever is provided at the end of the race – and if there is nothing, no problem.
Post-event Festivities
* Multi-sport athletes analyze their times and final position relative to their own age group and gender while open water swimmers talk about the cold spots, strong currents, and turbulence.
* Multi-sport athletes consider changes in their training regimen, training distances, racing equipment, and coaching consultants based on their performances while open water swimmers are creatures of habit, returning to the same pool to train in the same way immediately after the competition.
Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association 
We have seen and sensed differences between open water swimmers and multi-sport athletes who compete in traditional triathlons or XTERRA World Tour off-road races [shown above and produced by TEAM Unlimited].
Pre-race Ambiance
* Multi-sport athletes are busy with preparing their swim gear, cycling equipment and running wear while open water swimmers are standing swinging their arms and fiddling with their goggles.
* Multi-sport athletes are focused with a level of intensity and seriousness that masks their enjoyment of competition while open water swimmers are relaxed and laid-back with an easygoing manner that masks their intensity and seriousness once they hit the water.
* Multi-sport athletes put on expensive wetsuits with a specific neoprene thickness and prepare their expensive cycling and running gear printed with many sponsor logos while bioprened open water swimmers are appreciative of the free swim cap that comes with their entry fee.
In-race Competition
* Multi-sport athletes check their data and splits in the T1 and T2 transitions and on their bikes and on their wristwatches throughout the race while open water swimmers often find out their official time way after the race is over and sometimes days later.
* Multi-sport athletes prepare and take a variety of scientifically-formulated foods and drinks throughout the race while open water swimmers consume whatever is provided at the end of the race – and if there is nothing, no problem.
Post-event Festivities
* Multi-sport athletes analyze their times and final position relative to their own age group and gender while open water swimmers talk about the cold spots, strong currents, and turbulence.
* Multi-sport athletes consider changes in their training regimen, training distances, racing equipment, and coaching consultants based on their performances while open water swimmers are creatures of habit, returning to the same pool to train in the same way immediately after the competition.
Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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