Open water sighting

Swimming / Popular

Lift, look and swim straight in open water.

What coaches agree on

  • Sight with "crocodile eyes": lift just your eyes above the surface for a quick look, then drop your head straight back down.
  • Sight more often near buoys, turns, and the start, and less often once you're confident on a straight, calm stretch.
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  • Pick a tall, distant landmark beyond the buoy to sight on — it's easier to spot than the buoy itself.

Common mistakes

  • Blindly following another swimmer's feet without sighting for yourself can take you off course, since they may not be going the right way either.
  • Breathing in while your head is still facing forward from a sight, instead of waiting until it turns to the side, gets you a mouthful of water.
Open Water Sighting
Beginner

Open Water Sighting

Coach's take: Leads with the actual principle behind sighting, not just the mechanics — that's what makes this one land.

3.6
Open Water Sighting  Method 1
Intermediate

Open Water Sighting Method 1

Coach's take: Good neck-friendly option for relaxed swims, honestly framed as just one of several methods.

3.1