Fitness
Open Water Beach Start Entry Pacing
Open water beach start entry pacing jogs through shallow water and delays full freestyle until deep enough—saves glycogen and heart rate for the first buoy, not the sand sprint.
Open water beach start entry pacing controls the run through surf or shallow water so heart rate does not spike before the first buoy—jog through knee-deep water, dolphin-dive once past waist depth, then settle into freestyle only when feet no longer touch bottom. Sprinting the first twenty meters wastes glycogen better spent drafting mid-pack.
High knees beat long strides in soft sand. Practice entries in race shoes or barefoot per event rules.
Sight immediately after the first ten strokes offshore.
Common questions
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Should you sprint the beach into the swim?
Usually no—controlled jog through shallow water and one dolphin dive preserves glycogen for the swim pack. Save a short surge only if you need clear water before the first buoy.
Related terms
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