SWIM STRAIGHT MASTERCLASS

WITH THE LAUNCH OF AN INNOVATIVE NEW 'SWIMSTRAIGHT' FUNCTION ON FORM'S SMART SWIM 2 GOGGLES, WE TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO WHY BEING ABLE TO SWIM IN A STRAIGHT LINE IS SO IMPORTANT TO OPEN-WATER SWIMMERS..

- HELEN WEBSTER AND KRIS SWARTHOUT

We've all done it. You decide on a swim course, eye up the markers and execute what you think is the perfect swim. All good until you check your stats and find out that the 500m loop was actually more like 550m... Or 600m...!

So what's going on? Especially in a race, the course is usually marked pretty accurately, so chances are there's something going on with your swimming. The main factor here is usually a flaw in your technique that means you're not swimming in a straight line - either veering off or snaking - which means continual correction and more distance than intended.

In open water, though, especially when racing, there are added factors. Waves, current and dodging round other swimmers can push you off course or mean that even the most technically accomplished swimmer ends up swimming further than planned.

So what to do? Well firstly, working on your technique will help. Second, make sure you always have a real awareness of every course you're swimming and of any sighting points around you, which can tell you sooner if something's gone wrong. That's the fundamentals.

Now, you can elevate this part of your swimming to a whole new level thanks to tech; in other words, the 'SwimStraight' function on Form's new Smart Swim goggles (versions 1 and 2). Incorporating a first-of-its-kind digital compass, SwimStraight enhances open-water swim confidence by enabling you to follow in-goggle directional headings. This reduces course deviations and improves overall swim efficiency. And, best of all, this technology is approved by all races governed by World Triathlon, USAT, PTO and supertri.