Where are you on your outdoor swimming mastery journey?

Wherever you are on your open water journey, celebrate your progress, says Simon Griffiths

I had a head start on my open water journey. My parents took me swimming from a young age, put me through lessons and then into swimming club. In the summer holidays, we went to Cornwall or did day trips to local lakes – there was often swimming involved.

When I first started open water swimming in earnest, I was already at the competent stage, with some elements of confidence – depending on where I was swimming and in what conditions. But looking back, I realise I was only seeing the tip of the iceberg. I had so much to learn from swimming technique and racing skills to coping with tough conditions, nutrition and training. I expect (and hope) I still have plenty more to learn.

This never-ending journey towards mastery is one of the things I love about swimming. Wherever you are, there always seems to be another layer of skills to uncover, with each step opening doors to more swimming experiences.

Four stages of open water mastery

This month, I thought it would be interesting to define four steps on that journey. I’ve then linked these to our training article with suggestions on skills to focus on to move to the next level.

You may not neatly fit into one category. For example, you could be confident in calm, shallow lakes but a beginner in the sea. So, as with many things in open water swimming, use this as a guide and motivational tool, rather than a rigid framework.

Stage 1: Beginner

You know the basics of swimming, but open water feels daunting – it may even trigger panic. Perhaps you can only swim a few strokes before feeling short of breath. You may feel like you’ll never swim in open water with ease and grace – but you will, with the right approach. Many adults come to open water as beginners and go on to have great adventures. Your first task is to become comfortable and feel in control – manage your breathing, get used to deep water, and stop worrying if you can’t see the bottom.

Stage 2: Competent

Competent swimmers can cover a few hundred metres without stopping. However, their open water skills are limited. They struggle to swim straight and get disrupted easily if conditions get a bit rough. They are also liable to anxiety if they get tired or swim too far from shore. Skills to work on include sighting, pacing and keeping calm in unfamiliar conditions.

Stage 3: Confident

Confidence is when you feel in control. You can swim for at least a kilometre. You find it exhilarating if conditions become challenging. Your technique is good and adaptable. You’re aware of what’s going on around you, and know how to assess risks and stay safe. You can swim in a range of temperatures and are familiar with cold water shock, the dangers of hypothermia, and how to warm up.

Stage 4: Adventurous

The world of open water swimming is yours to explore. Confident swimmers can become adventurous swimmers: create your own swim excursions, take on long-distance challenges, or line up for a race. You have advanced swimming knowledge and skills such as understanding tides and currents, swimming with others in groups, or knowing how to manage your energy over hours in the water. Celebrate your progress!

Part of the magic of swimming is that there’s always more to learn and experience. Although I’ve listed ‘adventurous’ as the top level, there are adventures to be had wherever you are in your swimming journey, so enjoy and celebrate where you are today. If you’re looking for a holistic approach to your swimming take a look at Renaissance Swimmer, renaissanceswimmer.com.