So much of life comes down to one principle: never panic!  This is not only true but crucial to open water swimming success. Panic will kill even the most talented athlete in the water, while composure and confidence can make an average swimmer shed precious time from their swim split with less effort.  Practice these open water techniques for greater composure and
confidence the next time you toe the starting line.

Sighting

• Look forward during the rhythm of stroke, then breathe
• Lift your head head and eyes but keep your mouth in the water so as not to strain you neck and sick your back half
• Once your head is up, rotate to breathing side, put one goggle in water
• Breathe, then put your face back down
• Sighting should be done every 6-8 strokes unless you are drafting

Drafting

• Follow the bubbles: if you can’t see the bubbles of the swimmer in front you, swim harder
• Drafting properly off other swimmers can save 50% your energy for the same speed
• Draft on the feet or the hip of a swimmer in front of you
• Take an occasional sight to make sure the swimmer in front you is not off course

Beach Starts

• When running into the water, kick up your ankles to the side in a "crazy leg" fashion to avoid catching the leading edge of your foot and falling forward
• Once you're out to water above your knees, use dolphin dives to propel yourself faster to begin swimming

Water Starts

• Tread water before start and keep your legs horizontal not vertical
• Make sure you have sufficient space around you

Drills

• Draft in Practice
  • Practice drafting on the feet
  • Practice drafting at the hip
  • Rotate drafting and pulling with a partner
• Contact
  • Practice swimming in a lane with 3 or 4 swimmers abreast
  • Practice crossing over the hips of other swimmers
  • Make sure your goggles stay on!
• Sighting
  • Pool swimming with sighting every 6-8 strokes
  • Head up swimming for 12.5-25 yards straight (might need fins)
• Direction
  • Practice swimming with your eyes closed
  • Swim diagonally across the pool with no lane lines

Remember: clean water is fast water, and make sure you start where you know you can either swim in clean water or draft right away.