Once you become serious about triathlon you will need to practice your swim skills and drills in open water, the list of triathlon events with a pool swim is very short and you will not be able to find an Olympic distance with a pool start. At least I haven't seen one. 

I decided to start swimming in the open water earlier this year, I started with my first open water swim on the 26th of April with the eye to compete in the Eton triathlon. I'm not sure if you still remember the weather in April but the water was chilly - just 12 degrees which is the official minimum  to practice with a wetsuit in the open water. The first open water swim was actually due for the week prior to this but they had to cancel the opening due to the cold water. 

I started my practice in 12 degrees and I must admit it took me a long time before I was able to breath at a constant pace at which point I could put my face in the water without jumping back up. Yes that was my first experience. After about 20 minutes swimming with ice cold feet I had found my pace, luckily a hot shower and a warm cup of tea was waiting for me. 

Nowadays when the water temperature is warmer things are different, last week the temperature had risen to a comfortable 19 degrees which is lovely to swim in with a wetsuit. 

I started my open water swim in Liquid Leisure Waterski Lake in Datchet which is not too far away from Windsor and Heathrow off the M4 at junction 5. The downside is that swimming can only be done early mornings, swimming starts at 6:00am and by 8:45am everybody needs to be out of the water. If not out by this time they will come and pick you out of the water. The lake itself is great and very clean and you have showers on site. 

Also sponsored by Richard Stannard is another lake near Camberley, The Quays in Mytchett. Open water swimming only recently opened here and not too many people are using this lake, but I expect this to pick up rather quickly. I switched to make use of this lake as it is closer to home in comparison with Liquid. The downside of this lake is that there is no open water swim on Saturday's but only on Sunday's but you can swim until 10:00am. A very clean lake with showers on site. 

Heron lake is another famous lake in Staines, from what I have heard many people turn up for an open water swim. I cannot judge about the quality as I haven't been there. 

I would recommend starting your open water swim as soon as you can as you will need to get used to so many different factors in comparison with a pool swim. An open water swim is to pool swimming as trail running is to track running. Be smart if it rains during your first open water swim with heavy wind, just postpone to another day and visit the pool instead.

Below are some tips which I try to bear in mind whilst swimming in open water:

• Direction is key, it happened a few times to me that I was really pacing nicely but forgot to look where I was going and was seriously of course. I'm trying to look quicker and before I enter the water I try to visualize the swim course and some key elements on shore which I can use for navigation. 
  
• Follow other swimmers - this might be working against you as well. 
  
• Stay in a straight line - easier said than done. 
  
• If you think you are of course - then make small adjustments.
  
• I need to be in the water at least a few minutes to acclimatize.
  
• During a race you will feel and see hundred of arms and legs - just ignore them and swim to the outside of the course. Ideally try to start at the right position in your wave. I'm not a great swimmer so I will start more towards the back. 
  
• Just before race start I placed my body horizontally with my head in the water and I was blowing bubbles , this is a technique recommended for relaxing and getting used to the water. 
  
• The next time I'm going to try to swim on the outside of the buoy - in the Windsor triathlon I was on the inside and this was an absolute nightmare. 
  
• Don't panic - if you are swimming with a wetsuit then you can easily float without or hardly without any effort. So you got an easy way out - just roll on your back if things are coming really un-comfortable and most importantly relax.
  
• There is no such thing as sharks or alligators in UK lakes. 
  

I found that time during an open water swim could take ages, but one thing you shouldn't be doing is thinking negative, just ban those thoughts and enjoy the freedom, be like a swim without any worries.