If you're new to open water swimming
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Event Day Essentials
It's time to pick your Training Plan
Whether you're new to open water swimming or have been dipping your toes in for many years, we've got the perfect Training Plan to help you get set for Swim Serpentine.
Below the plans, you'll also find training tips and tricks.
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Feeling anxious about open water swimming is completely normal, but confidence can be built with the right approach. Drawing on personal experience, Daniel Bullock, Director of Swim for Tri, shows how gradual exposure, smart preparation and practising race-like conditions can transform uncertainty into control.
If you’re taking part in Swim Serpentine we recommend training at least twice a week for around eight weeks or more before the event, and there are two key areas to focus on, especially if you’re a beginner: getting swim fit and becoming acclimatised to open water swimming conditions. Check out coach Colin Hill’s introduction to open water swimming to find out more!
Pool-based training can play a vital role in building the skills you’ll need on the day, from pacing and endurance to navigating open water conditions. These targeted sessions are designed to simulate Swim Day scenarios and sharpen essential techniques.
If you're getting ready for Swim Serpentine and aren’t sure which stroke to use, you can choose from four official options: front crawl, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly. Here’s a closer look at each to help you decide which suits you best.
