Dubai: Train daily, stay relaxed while on the water and focus on your pace if you want to be a better swimmer, four amateur Dubai-based champs say.
The tips were courtesy of an Irishman, two Brits and an Emirati who took first place at a Friday swimming competition, which raised Dh160,000 for an obesity research fund.
The tournament, held by the crystal waters by the Burj Al Arab hotel, was divided into men’s and women’s races, with 1,600 and 800-metre heats.
“I knew it would be very hard for someone to beat me,” said Christopher Bryan, who came first in the 1,600 men’s race with a time of 23 minutes 41 seconds.
Jubilant from his victory, 26-year-old Irishman — who used to compete in international swimming competitions — gave advice that seemed counter-intuitive.
“In open water, just relax, get a nice rhythm.”
“You can be the fittest guy in the world, but if you’re tightening up, you’re not going to get anywhere,” he said.
“That’s the funny thing about swimming — the more relaxed you are, the better you are floating.”
Doing almost no swimming for the last three years did not stop 23-year-old British expat Kayleigh Dawson, who was the 1,600-metre women’s champion.
“I didn’t even know I had won until my friend gave me a cuddle and told me,” said Dawson, who completed the race in 25 minutes and 52 seconds.
“My number one swimming tip would be train, eat well, work hard, and set goals.
“And don’t be afraid if you don’t achieve your goal. Little steps will get you to your ultimate goal,” she added.
“So set medium goals to get you to that ultimate long term, over-all goal.”
All in a morning’s work
Winning the 800-metre men’s tournament seemed all in a morning’s work for Mohammad Al Muhairi, a 28-year-old Emirati. Or 16 minutes and 47 seconds, to be exact.
“I expected to win,” said Muhairi, whose job at Dubai Civil Defence sees him put out fires at sea. “I came here to win.” His advice was short: “[Train] every day — 4 to 5 kilometres, every day.
Still panting from her winning 800-metre stretch, 24-year-old Saskia Warren could hardly believe her victory. At 18 minutes and 38 seconds, she was just a second short of three minutes ahead of her nearest rival.
“I didn’t expect to win,” said Warren, who hugged her two friends who had come along to support her. “Best day ever, really happy!”
Her advice, aside from eating well, was specific. “Look at each buoy after every eight strokes, and have a good pace throughout.”
Obesity research
The four champions had beaten close to 450 other swimmers who took part in the Burj Al Arab Swim, the world’s largest series of open-water swim races around the world.
Collectively, they raised Dh160,000 for the obesity research fund of Al Jalila Foundation, a Dubai-based charity.
