“Get In And Get Out Quickly!”

Turn buoys: the great mystery and a source of fear and trepidation for many.

In our open water swim groups we do quite a bit of work with turn buoys. Our course is deliberately small so we have lots of opportunities to master the turn!

Why?

“If you are going to get into trouble, if you are going to get hit, if you are going to find yourself in an uncomfortable situation anywhere in the swim, it will be around turn buoys. You want to get in and get out quickly, avoiding trouble where possible.” (Quote by me, every single session!)

Thinks to think about …

Sighting Before The Buoy.

The first thing we need to remember, is that we should be sighting regularly as we approach the turn buoy. Several reasons for this. To make sure we swim direct and turn at the right point. Secondly, to spot other swimmers around us, anticipate trouble and take some action. Thirdly, to plan our route around the buoy.

Picking Your Line.

Pick your route into and out of the turn buoy nice and early. Don’t wait until you are a few metres away from the buoy before you decide what to do. I would start to make decisions 20 – 30 metres away. If you are on your own, with no other swimmers around you (lucky you!), then you can take the inside line of the course, turning immediately around the buoy. If you find yourself surrounded by other swimmers, in front, behind, to the side, then you need to take some action.

Anticipate Trouble.

Most swimmers will want to take the direct line around the buoy. If you have clear water in front of you but see swimmers swimming out wide, be aware that they will cut in for the turn buoy. What seems like clear water in front of you will not be there at the turn.  Or that swimmer who you’ve been drafting for a while may not swim so smoothly around the buoy, be alert for any sudden stops in front of you or worse … the breaststroke kick! You might be courteous and polite when swimming, but don’t expect everybody else to be – be aware of close contact, flying arms and people swimming over your legs.

Don’t Let It Happen, Take Action.

Try and be proactive here. You’ve been sighting regularly and you know who is around you. At most corners, you will have a decision. Inside line or stay out wide? Allow others to go first or take the initiative? From my point of view, that extra few metres of swimming wide around a buoy is well worth it if you come out of the turn unscathed!

In And Out As Quickly As Possible.

If possible, 20 – 30 metres out, accelerate towards the buoy, dropping any other swimmers around you, giving you a little space at the turn. Keep the speed going around the turn and for the first 10 metres after the turn. Once around the buoy, in clear water, settle back down to your previous pace. You want to spend as little time as possible near the buoys, and this is a great way of achieving that.

Sight Immediately.

The first thing you should do after the turn buoy is sight. Make sure you know which direction you need to be swimming in. Don’t wait 6 or 8 strokes, assuming you’re going the right way. Sight and make sure!

I hope this helps!

Practice being efficient around turn buoys during your open water sessions and keep in mind the guidance above, and I’m sure you’ll sail smoothly around each corner.

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