1. Pre-Competition Day – Never practice open water swimming alone. Even if you are a good swimmer, you should never swim alone. Swim with another person, or swim in an area with a lifeguard.

2. Getting Ready - Wear bathers or approved skins (blueseventy) that you have worn previously. Avoid wearing a brand new swim suit on competition day. Why? The salt will rub in places you never thought it would.

3. Know the Course - Look at the map of the swim or go to the lake, river, or ocean to figure out which direction you will need to swim and when. Have a look for prominent markers on land (eg. trees or buildings) to help with your orientation when you are in the water.

4. Review the Course - Take another swimmer and have a light swim from the start to the first turn buoy and look down the course for your marker buoys that will guide you throughout the swim.

5. On Your Marks - Stay Relaxed. Don't Panic. You're Not Alone! Cold water can make you breathe rapidly which may make you feel like you are so nervous your breathing is being impacted. If the water is cold and this happens, relax; your body is adjusting to the water temperature. Concentrate on breathing deeply, visualise yourself handling each turn buoy calmly, and seeing yourself completing the swim with a big grin! This will help you greatly. Wearing two swim caps will also help you in cold water as they will help keep the heat in your head.

6. The Start - Talk to people who have previously done the race (in past years). Pay attention to when the waves (groups of swimmers) in front of you start and watch the pattern they are swimming in. Start at the back of the pack if you lack confidence and this will be less stressful for you.

7. Which stroke do I swim? – You are allowed to swim more than one stroke. Breaststroke, backstroke and side stroke can all be used to give you a rest from freestyle, and to help you stay on course. Using breaststroke and backstroke can also help you adjust to the colder water.

8. Rounding the Turn Buoys – No breaststroke please. You don't want to kick the swimmer behind you in the face!

9. Don't draft/slipstream if you have not practiced the skill or only practiced it a little bit. At least not yet as a beginner. As a beginner if you get too close to someone's feet, you can end up getting kicked in the face and/or lose your goggles. It's important to concentrate on your swimming, your stroke, and your pace.