Basic Tips for Open Water Swimming

Plan Ahead/Be Prepared

Check the weather forecast, learn about the conditions of the ocean and beach before going for a swim at that particular site

Look at surf-forecast.com or Epic app for info on the selected beach at least a day ahead to see if the conditions allow for a swim (wind, types of waves, size of waves, wave energy, periods, swell, currents, tides, temperature, water clarity and debris (runoffs from rain).
Arrive to the beach ~10 minutes before the swim to study the beach and the shoreline. Be aware of what types and size of waves: spilling mushy waves =low energy, plunging waves= high energy, onshore breaks that are plunging and/or surging waves=big swells that break on shore with strong backwash, are the most dangerous to enter and exit. Also look for rip currents along the shoreline and the direction of the current. Sandbars and tides affect how waves break in size and distance and energy.
Be aware of your surroundings: surfers, fishermen, boat traffic. Decide where to enter and exit the water. What object on the beach to sight for your entry/exit.

Having the right gear for the swim and after the swim is key to enjoying open water swimming

Wetsuit or skin/bathsuit
Goggles anti fog/clear/smoked/mirrored ( have at least a clear for foggy/cloudy days, and tinted for sunny days)
Earplugs are a must have to prevent surfers’ ears and help to stay warm
Bright swimming cap to be seen
Swim buoy/float for safety and to be visible
Thermal cap, gloves, socks, fins are things to consider
Glide for anti chafing and vaseline for anti heat loss
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! And fuel up before the swim?
Be prepared for after the swim: to prevent hypothermia and the “Afterdrop”
“Afterdrop" is the phenomenon of your body temperature continuing to drop even after you get out of the cold water into a warmer environment - so that you feel colder 10-40 minutes after you have finished your swim, sometimes growing faint, shivering violently and feeling unwell.”
Change out of your wet gear as soon as possible
Towel, changing robe, warm clothes, warm beanie, socks
Warm water rinse, “HMB hot tub” to soak cold feet
Warm drink

NEVER SWIM ALONE, inform someone that you are going out for a swim (place and time) then check in when you are done

Choose the entry/exit point: be aware of slope of beach, types of waves, rip tides/currents, rocks, surfers, fishermen, boat traffic

Choose which direction along the shore to swim first (into the current) for the round trip
Swim parallel to the beach, choose a stationary object to sight ahead to swim straight
Acclimate slowly: no need to rush your cold water immersion!
Enter slowly/breathing deeply and evenly to relax. Splash a few handfuls on your face, face down in the water to clear your goggles, dunk you head under a few times
Start slow: head straight out thru the waves, stop in a safe zone outside of the surf to tread water until you feel ready to swim. Swim a few strokes, relax, control your breathing/one stroke at a time.
Sighting: once you are past the waves choose a stationary object ahead to sight on. Sight every 6-10 strokes with alligator eyes to stay straight and on course.
Bilateral breathing: very helpful skill to have for avoiding swallowing lots of salt water in chop, waves, and swells. Also useful to check on your buddies.
Be flexible: might need to vary your stroke techniques to compensate for chop, swells, current, and waves.
Exiting the water: depending on the current, you might need to exit well before or after your base camp or entry point. Backstroke to watch for waves as you swim towards your exit point. Never rush it, wait for the right moment (in between sets of waves) to enter and exit your swim. Make sure everyone in your group /buddy is on shore before leaving the beach.