Fun Open Water Swims are structured open water swim practice meetups designed to help triathletes and swimmers build confidence, race readiness, and open water skills in a safer, organized environment.

It is a signature triathlon swim community program of Swim Bike Run Fun Events (SBR Fun Events) since 2023.

Whether you are training for your first sprint triathlon or preparing for long-course events, Fun Swims are designed to help athletes feel calmer, safer, and more prepared in open water.

Fun Swims are intentionally designed to feel much closer to an actual triathlon race-day experience while still being beginner-friendly and supportive.

We utilize:

• swim flags
• race-style sighting buoys
• marked swim courses
• structured athlete check-in
• course signage
• safety staff
• organized swim flow
• music and race-day atmosphere

The goal is to help athletes become familiar with the sights, sounds, movement, and emotions of race morning before race day actually arrives.

Fun Swims are currently located in the Austin, Texas area and utilize lakes and open-water venues throughout Travis County, Williamson County, and Hays County.

Common meetup locations include:

• Walter E. Long Lake
• Lake Pflugerville
• Lake Georgetown

Locations may vary throughout the season based on weather, water levels, access, and safety conditions.

Absolutely.

A huge percentage of our swimmers are newer triathletes or athletes building confidence in open water.

You can:

• swim your own pace
• stop and rest
• use only the Duck Course
• swim as much or as little as you want

Our goal is confidence — not intimidation.

All first-time swimmers are required to attend the pre-swim First Timer Briefing before entering the water.

This beginner-friendly session is led by coaches and Swim Angels (in-water mentors) and covers:

• race-day expectations
• sighting & navigation
• breathing & calming nerves
• buoy turns
• open water safety
• triathlon swim tips

For first-time athletes, completing the Duck Course first is mandatory before attempting longer loops.

No. Fun Swims are structured practice meetups, not full coaching clinics.

However, first-timers receive guided instruction and support from coaches and Swim Angels. We also offer separate formal triathlon swim clinics, pool clinics, and open water skills clinics for athletes looking for more in-depth coaching.

Yes.

Safety support typically includes:

• certified lifeguards
• kayak spotters
• shoreline volunteers
• Swim Angels
• marked courses
• swimmer visibility requirements

Our courses are intentionally designed to keep athletes relatively close to shore.

Yes.

Swimmers are actively monitored by:

• lifeguards
• kayakers
• Swim Angels
• shoreline volunteers

Brightly colored swim caps and swim buoys are also required for visibility and safety support.

Open water feels different for almost everyone at first.

If needed, athletes are encouraged to:

• float on their back
• tread water
• regroup calmly
• signal for support
• move toward the side of the course

You are never expected to “push through panic.”

The Duck Course is the signature SBR Fun Swims beginner-friendly swim setup designed specifically for:

• first-time triathletes
• newer open water swimmers
• nervous swimmers
• athletes returning to triathlon after a break

The course is approximately 100 meters point-to-point along the shoreline. Swimming down and back creates a ~200 meter loop.

Athletes can complete multiple loops while practicing:

• sighting
• breathing control
• swim form
• pacing
• open water comfort

The course is guided by our duck marker buoys:
🦆 Donnie & Daphne
aka… “The Safety Quackers.”

The Duck Course is typically around 4–6 feet deep depending on lake levels and conditions.

Large portions are designed to feel psychologically similar to a pool environment while still giving athletes real open water experience.

Many swimmers can:

• touch with their toes
• briefly stabilize themselves
• regroup if needed

The shoreline layout and support structure are intentionally designed to help athletes safely build confidence.

Depending on lake setup and water levels, Fun Swims typically include:

• ~200m Duck Course
• ~400–500m Super Sprint loops
• ~750–1000m Sprint/Olympic-style loops

Athletes can repeat loops, mix distances, or rest between efforts.

Nope.

At Fun Swims:

• swim your distance
• swim your pace
• pick the loop that feels right for you

You do not need to keep up with faster swimmers and you will not be left behind.

Swim as fast, as slow, or as comfortably as you safely can.

No.

Athletes can:

• complete one loop
• complete multiple loops
• rest between efforts
• leave the water anytime

This is practice — not a race.

Fun Swims are structured as approximately 1 hour and 15 minute open water practice sessions.

Most athletes have enough time to complete meaningful race-prep training including Sprint, Olympic, and even 70.3 swim-distance practice within official cutoff pace.

Absolutely.

Experienced athletes use Fun Swims for:

• race simulation
• buoy sighting practice
• swim flow training
• open-water pacing
• race-day preparation
• structured open-water volume

Plus, where else can you regularly find race-style buoys, organized swim operations, and a whole community of triathletes voluntarily hanging out in wet spandex at sunrise?

Yes.

Many experienced and long-course triathletes use Fun Swims for:

• uninterrupted open-water volume
• race pacing
• navigation practice
• race-day familiarity
• Ironman-specific preparation

The environment is structured enough for serious training while still welcoming athletes of all levels.

Absolutely.

Fun Swims help athletes practice:

• race-day nerves
• swimming around people
• buoy sighting
• pacing & effort management
• realistic open-water conditions

Pool fitness and open-water confidence are not the same thing.

Common beginner focus areas include:

• sighting
• breathing control
• swimming straight
• buoy turns
• floating/resting techniques
• building race-day confidence

Yes.

We regularly share triathlon swimming and open-water training resources through the Swim Bike Run Fun blog.

Topics include:

• open water swim tips
• beginner triathlon guidance
• race-day confidence
• sighting & breathing
• swim gear & wetsuits
• triathlon training advice

👉 Swim Bike Run Fun Swimming Blog

👉 Swim Bike Run Fun Triathlon Training Blog

Yes.

Swim buoys are required for all athletes as part of our overall safety plan.

Swim buoys help:

• improve swimmer visibility in the water
• allow guards and spotters to track athletes more easily
• provide athletes quick access to flotation support if needed

They can also be especially helpful in situations like:

• catching a cramp
• needing a short recovery break
• regrouping calmly in open water

Our goal is to create a safer and more confidence-building open water environment for athletes of all levels.

Usually no during warmer months, though some athletes prefer wetsuits for added buoyancy and confidence.

Here are the wetsuite use guidelines we use based on water and air temperature:

• Mandatory (60°F–65°F): Required for safety and warmth in colder water.

• Optional (66°F–78°F): Wear it if you want extra float and confidence, or skip it if you prefer unrestricted shoulder movement and staying cooler.

• Prohibited (79°F+): Strictly banned to prevent overheating and heat exhaustion.

Yes.

Athletes may use:

• fins
• snorkels
• pull buoys
• wetsuits
• and other swim training aids during our practice meetups.

Our goal is helping athletes safely build confidence, comfort, and open water experience.

It should be noted that some training aids and equipment allowed at Fun Swims may NOT be permitted during an actual triathlon race or sanctioned event.

Typical seasonal water temperatures range from approximately:

• 68°F in early spring
• 74°F during warmer months

Average seasonal water temperature is usually around 71°F.

Absolutely.

We love friends, training partners, and growing the triathlon community.

If your guest plans to:

• swim → they must be registered
• volunteer → they must be registered
• cheer from shore → they are welcome to attend and support

We understand — life happens.

Fun Swims offer:

• free transfers
• free deferrals to another month
• bib transfers to a friend

Changes must be initiated and completed by the athlete through RunSignup prior to the deadline and not through email.

Weather conditions are actively monitored before and during every event.

• Light rain → operations usually continue
• Lightning → swim operations may be delayed, paused, or evacuated
• Severe weather → the event may be rescheduled, modified or canceled for safety

All Fun Swim locations provide restroom access within a reasonable walking distance of athlete operations.

Formal locker facilities are typically not available since Fun Swims operate in public outdoor environments.

Athletes commonly:

• leave gear near shoreline operations
• set belongings near check-in
• bring a teammate or friend to help watch items

Athletes remain responsible for personal belongings.

Fun Swims utilize designated public parking areas.

Athletes should look for:

• swim flags
• signage
• check-in tents

Detailed arrival instructions are typically sent before each event.

Usually yes.

We often take a group photo after the course briefing and frequently share photos on social media shortly after the event.

Additional meetup photos are not guaranteed for every event.

Typical event flow:

• 7:00 AM — check-in opens
• 7:15 AM — first-timer briefing
• 7:25 AM — course briefing
• 7:30 AM — in-water start

1. Fun Swims focus on:

• all levels
• all paces
• all races
• confidence-building
• race readiness
• structure & safety
• supportive community

No ego.
No pressure.
Sprint, Olympic, Ironman 70.3 and 140.6 swim prep. 
Just triathletes helping triathletes get better in open water.