10 Ways to Swim More Effortlessly in Open Water

Even if you’re confident swimming laps in the pool, hitting the open water for an equal distance can be intimidating. “Coming from a controlled environment where the farthest you’re ever from a wall is about 40 feet, you can feel very exposed out there, facing wind, waves, currents and cold water, with nothing to grab onto when you get tired,” says Jeff Pearson, a two-time USA National Open Water Swimming Champion and owner of Boost Swimming in Lake Tahoe. Here’s how to stress less during your next open water session.