Peter Plavec

Sighting is one of the most underrated skills in open water swimming.

If you don’t sight properly, you’re not swimming 3km… you might be swimming 3.5 without even realizing it. And that costs energy, time, and results.

Here’s how to get it right:

1. Keep it quick
Lift your eyes just enough to spot your target. The higher you lift, the more your hips drop.
2. Combine it with your stroke
Sight forward, then turn your head to breathe. Smooth and efficient—no extra effort.
3. Pick clear landmarks
Don’t rely only on buoys. Use big, visible objects behind them so you stay on a straight line.

How to learn it:
Start in the pool. Add sighting every 6–10 strokes during your normal sets. Make it part of your rhythm, not something separate.

Swim straight. Save energy. Swim smarter.