With the USA Swimming Open Water National Championships on the horizon – June 13th – 15th in Lake Castaic, CA – we’re taking time to check in with some of the national team about what they think about open water swimming. Today we lead off last year’s 5K champion and 2012 Olympian Andrew Gemmell.
1. What differentiates an Open Water Nationals from pool nationals (aside from the fact that it’s open water)? I think there is a lot less tension at open water nationals. While the stakes are just as high, the race is 2 hours long so there is no need to be super uptight. Plus, its hard to be stressed when you are swimming in some beautiful locations!
2. Do you think there’s a different bond amongst open water swimmers? Having been lucky enough to travel with both teams, there is a difference. The open water community is a very tight-knit group. Open water international trips typically consist of about 8-10 swimmers plus some additional staff. This gives you the opportunity to get to know everyone on a much more personal level than the pool teams which have upwards of 60 people.
3. Do you think open water swimming is changing? If so, in what ways? It’s definitely becoming more spectator friendly. Races are being designed to take place with more laps in smaller spaces. In Rome in 2009 we basically just swam 200 yards off shore out in the ocean the whole race. But for the Olympics in Hyde Park and 2013 Worlds being up against the inner harbor in Barcelona, spectators had a great opportunity to come and watch and be close to a lot of the action
4. We all saw the prank Alex played on the group out at the Crippen Cup with the alligator head. Do you have any other pranks you’ve seen or pulled in the open water? I wasn’t here for this one, but I always loved the story from 2010 Worlds when Fran stuck Eva’s Harry Potter book to the ceiling and she couldn’t find it. We definitely have fun together on open water trips though.
5. Racing 5K, 10K and 25K is intense. How do you stay motivated between races? I can’t speak for the people who have done 25ks, but it’s the same way you stay motivated for tough doubles or meets in the pool. If you have goals that matter to you for every race, it’s easy to turn around and get ready for the next one.
6. Do you every wish you were a sprinter? My dad (and coach) would tell you that I am a sprinter, but I just sprint longer than some people. If you’ve ever watched the end of a great open water race, you’ll know that guys are moving FAST in the last 50 or 100 meters! Speed is important no matter how long you are racing.
7. Who’s your favorite open water swimmer? How can you pick a favorite? Open water, and swimming in general, is filled with so many great people. It’s the best thing about the sport.
8. What do you want people to know about open water swimming? Don’t be intimated by it! A 10k race may seem daunting at first, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get involved in open water. There are plenty of local 1 mile and 3k races that anyone can attend, and they provided a great introduction to the sport (it’s how I got started). Try it sometime, you’ll never know if you like it unless you give it a shot.