Most triathletes come from a running or biking background, so it's no surprise that the swim is usually the part of the race triathletes like least. Pool swimming generally poses few problems but taking to the open water is another matter. There

Jumping in the Thames or heading for the beach aren’t always possible when you’re training for a triathlon but there are some open-water swimming skills you can practise in the pool. By spending a few minutes every week honing your ability, you

"There is nothing like pink toilet paper or a floating plaster to come at you from the deep to make you swim faster!" says Duncan Hough, vice chair of the Birmingham Running and Triathlon Club (www.bratclub.co.uk). But your first open-water swim

, balance, core rotation, aquatic breathing skills and core kicking. It doesn't matter where you are in your swimming career, everyone has to first master these skills.3. Since TI believes swimming is a technical rather than an endurance sport, drills always

how many kicks you usually make per two-arm cycle. "Now try swimming with a two-beat kick," says Kelly. "If you can mostly use your arms, that will help the bike and run."Join the draftMany triathlons forbid drafting on the bike (using another rider

markers to judge your pace, but swim pacing is a tricky business. Incorporate these stroke-count and pacing sessions from Dan Bullock, coach and trainer at www.swimfortri.co.uk, into your training and learn how to master your pacing in the open water

other words, pit stops for your arms) occupy about a quarter of the time and distance. In open water, a mile will take at least 10 per cent more time to swim (because push-offs boost your speed) and there are no pit stops.Meeting these challenges demands

Five years ago I was excitedly planning my first middle-distance triathlon. Training was going well but then an incident in a deep lake left me in such a state that I was unable to race. The event involved a sea swim at Weymouth, Dorset

to swimming in the outdoors, you can choose from goggles, masks or a hybrid. Some people like the extra feeling of protection offered by masks, while others are happy with larger styles of goggles (we've tested both types here).Whatever you choose, your open

and count how many kicks you usually make per two-arm cycle. "Now try swimming with a two-beat kick," says Kelly. "If you can mostly use your arms, that will help the bike and run."Join the draftMany triathlons forbid drafting on the bike (using another