Control of breathing is very important for open water swimming.

During open water races, breathing is more difficult, because of waves and the splashes created by other swimmers.

So, you need to learn how to breathe comfortably, in any situation.

Dryland Rehearsal

In dryland rehearsal, you practice rotating your body and face, using momentum from your arm insertion.

If you use the momentum from extending your arm to rotate yourself, you minimize the need to use your neck muscles while breathing.

Step 1: Skate - Sweet Spot Breathing

Start with Skate and bring your face up to do Sweet Spot Breathing.

Keep the top of your head under the surface and use your shoulders to adjust your body's rotation.

Step 2: SpearSwitch - SweetSpot Breathing

Next, do "Sweet Spot Breathing", from Spear Switch.

Using the momentum from extending your arm, rotate your body and face upward.

Step 3: SwingSwitch - SweetSpot Breathing

In Swing Switch, you can more easily rotate your body, because you create more momentum from your arm insertion.

Step 4: SpearSwitch - Sneaky Breathing

Next, do "Sneaky Breathing", from SpearSwitch.

You keep your extended arm, where it is and rotate just enough, so that your face comes up above the surface.

Step 5: SwingSwitch - Sneaky Breathing

When you do Sneaky Breathing in Swing Switch, follow your recovery arm, and make a slight pause before inserting your hand.

Step 6: Control of Breathing Angle

Last, practice adjusting the rotation depending on the situation.

First, rotate at the normal angle for breathing, on a calm water surface.

And then, pretend you are swimming in the waves. you will want to rotate more to create more time to breathe.

Breathing by rotating your body is relaxing, and it is very important for open water swimming.