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5 essential open water swimming techniques for triathlon: How to navigate, draft, and turn buoys like a pro on race day

For many triathletes - beginners and seasoned age-groupers alike - the swim holds a certain fear factor. From choppy conditions to a surprise non-wetsuit swim, find out how to be ready for anything and swim open water like a pro.

By Kate Milsom

Last updated -

12 Aug 2025

Open water swimming poses many challenges that you may not be familiar with when transitioning from pool swimming. Triathlon race day is full of surprises, the most changeable of all being the swim. I...

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Written by

Kate Milsom

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