Sighting is when a swimmer raises their head briefly while open water swimming to check where they are heading. It allows swimmers to stay on course by sighting landmarks or buoys.
Unlike pool swimming, open water events lack lane lines, so athletes must guide themselves. Frequent and efficient sighting prevents zigzagging and wasted energy. It’s typically done during the breathing cycle, allowing a swimmer to peek forward while minimizing disruption to stroke rhythm. Mastering sighting is a vital skill in triathlon and open water events, balancing navigation with speed and efficiency.
