Sports
USP Rowing Channel vs. Open Sea: Triathlon Swim Challenges
André Lopes breaks down freshwater impact, wetsuit dynamics, and a chaotic start at Ironman 70.3 São Paulo.
Swimming in freshwater versus the open ocean fundamentally alters triathlon dynamics. On Café com Tri, André Lopes explains how buoyancy, wetsuits, and navigation impact elite athletes' race-day performance.
Among amateur triathletes, a common comparison emerges: swimming in calm, fresh water—such as the USP Olympic Rowing Channel—often feels like it requires more effort and offers "heavier" water than the open ocean. In the professional field, however, the perception varies widely based on each competitor's technical background and experience.
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The impact of buoyancy and the role of the wetsuit
For André Lopes, swim performance is tied directly to the race format and wetsuit regulations. The triathlete notes that he achieves his strongest results in saltwater without a wetsuit. Having natural buoyancy and solid body positioning in the water, swimming without neoprene preserves his technical edge over rivals, as wetsuits tend to level the playing field across the pack.
Chaos at the USP Rowing Channel and open-water navigation
Even in seemingly favorable conditions, like the straight, sheltered course of the USP Rowing Channel, external factors can turn the swim into an extreme test. Lopes shared that starting in the dark created heavy chaos early on: after getting shoved underwater and swallowing water, he faced a panic attack he had not experienced in roughly eight years, nearly abandoning the race before regaining his composure.
Familiarity with the ocean also dictates overall comfort in the water. With a surfing background, Lopes prefers open-ocean competitions, where he finds sighting and navigation much more intuitive—conditions where athletes accustomed strictly to pool swimming often struggle.
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