Rounding Buoys:

Two options: first is to go kind of wide and take shorter strokes on the side where you are making the turn.

The second option: go past the buoy, do one stroke on your back, and then flip back to your stomach. Thus making a right angle. Sounds strange in the description, but works really well.

Mass Start (in-water):

Float on your stomach and scull and lightly kick before the start to prevent getting dizzy when going into the water. When they count down to 5, put your face in the water. At 1, start your stroke so that by the time the gun goes off, you have some momentum.

Swimming in Current:

Across current: This is a lot like swimming in a pool. It’s important to make sure you are sighting further on an angle further up the current. That way when you get pushed downstream, it’s less of a problem.

With current: Use lots of long, gliding strokes to take advantage of the current pushing you downstream.

Against current: Increase stroke count and take lots of rapid strokes to overcome the current and not get pushed down. I found that shorter strokes helped a lot here.

Dan Arnett
Coach for Endurance Concepts