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Jetstar Elite Swimmer Blog – Part 1

etstar Elite Swimmer – Michael Sheil will be writing seven blogs this season to inform, entertain and inspire you including tips and advice on swimming, travel, race tactics, nutrition and more.

As the dawn of the new season of the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series fast approaches, feelings of excitement and abundant happiness are generally experienced by its participants who travel from all over New Zealand and other parts of the world. A swim series of seven events in seven different locations over the course of five glorious summer months that feature some of the countries’ most epic and beautiful scenery indeed calls for jubilation in the form of a phat smile from ear to ear.

But within all of that prospective travelling lurks an overwhelming nervousness and a heavy chest when the moment of realisation comes – “My flight is tomorrow!? I haven’t even packed!”. Or even worse, when rushing to the registration tent on the day of the event, you suddenly realise that you’ve packed your best pair of tighty whities or that special undergarment instead of your wetsuit and togs!

Don’t despair, these red faced situations happen to the best of us and even elite swimmers at times can misplace important race equipment. Yet by eliminating clutter within your luggage and sticking to a packing routine, misplacing or simply not packing important items in your luggage will almost never happen and you’ll be carefree and raring to go on the start line.

When I first started travelling to race events around the world I had a tendency to pack my entire house – just in case I needed to use those six pairs of shorts or four pairs of shoes on a three day trip. I soon realised that I was entering a packing frenzy because I didn’t have a plan of what to take with me. Nowadays, if I don’t need to check any luggage I like to travel with a carry on bag and one personal bag that generally holds my electronics and travel documents.

But if you really do need to pack that arsenal of shoes and those seven sweaters that you haven’t worn for the past 5 years – just in case, Jetstar, sponsors of the series and elite competitors, offer a very generous 15-40Kg checked luggage allowance depending on your fare type for a very reasonable price.

I also like to write a list before I pack so that it only takes a short time. Sometimes if I have back to back travel for different races I might even leave my race equipment packed in my luggage – similiar to Jetstar crew having a standby bag packed and ready to go.

For most of the events in this year’s series I will pack the following items to travel over 2-3days:

Remember that if you are carrying on luggage only, Jetstar has a 7Kg limit. For this reason I don’t pack things like towels, water bottles etc. Instead I buy water/gatorade at my destination and use hotel towels. Always remember to return the hotel towels as a courtesy though! For international flights like mine will be, always remember to check the carry on liquids rules before arriving at the airport. Finally, be sure to wear comfortable clothes for transiting.

I always pack two pair of goggles in case I need a spare on race day. Generally I’ll pack a trigger ball or small foam roller if space and weight permits. I’ll also keep important items like my passport and travel documents in my personal bag which I keep in my hands at all times at the airport.

So now that you’re packed and ready to go, check out my below tips to help you through the first round at beautiful Paihia:

Be sure to arrive on the start line with plenty of time to allow yourself to get your bearings and map out your racing line. Position yourself as directly in front of the first marker buoy as possible to give yourself the shortest route

Listen out for any final race briefings from the event team

Once the gun goes off stick to your racing line and create your own personal space around you. Try and stick as close to the marker buoys as possible as there may be a current pushing right or left

Settle into a pace that you know you’ve been able to do in training and build on that closer to the finish line

Above all, enjoy your time in the water! It’s not often that swimming in beautiful locations like this come around!

For the OceanKids:

Remember to listen to the lifeguards before you enter the water

Ocean Swimming is most fun when done with friends, so stick together with a group of your buddies if you’re a little unsure of the conditions

Swim within yourself – that means if you’re out of breath and need to have a little rest, let the closest lifeguard know, catch your breath and then continue on along the course to the finish line.

All the best to everyone taking part in this great event and I’ll see you on the start line!