Overcoming Fear of Open Water Swimming

LUCK OVERCOMES FEAR OF OPEN WATER AT THE GATINEAU TRIATHLON!!

If you are a nervous swimmer, have had a panic attack in the water or have ever questioned doing a race, PLEASE read this race report. It will inspire you to do things you never dreamed of. 

Race Report by:
Jennifer Luck

When I first signed up for the Mont-Tremblant 5150, I was blissfully naive. Being only my second season doing triathlons, I thought it was just like any other Olympic distance—I had absolutely no idea I’d chosen one of the most challenging courses around! But after six months of winter training with Team Triumph, I had earned my confidence. By race day, I felt completely ready.

I never expected the swim to break me.

On race day, despite the cold, dreary weather, I felt great. The Ironman app confirmed a 16°C water temp—wetsuit mandatory. No problem. I set up transition and headed to the beach with 1,500 other athletes. Looking out at the buoys, the lake seemed fine.

As a 2:30/100m swimmer, I seeded myself toward the middle-back. Jumping in, the cold shock hit. I was mentally prepared for my heart rate to spike, and for the first 200 meters, I focused entirely on my form. But everything felt heavier and harder than usual.

When I lifted my head to sight, I was stunned. Every single kayak had about six swimmers clinging to it. People were hanging onto the buoys. I had never swum in chop before, and the brutal, unexpected waves took me completely off guard. I could see pure panic in the eyes of everyone around me.

I put my head down and tried to power through. I cycled through my techniques—bumblebee breathing, counting strokes—but I couldn't find a flow. The water was packed and chaotic. Swimmers were flipping onto their backs to survive, and I was constantly running into people and getting kicked in the melee.

Fear filled my body. I tried to sight the next buoy, but it was complete pandemonium with waves crashing over us. I tried flipping onto my back, but water just smashed into my face.

At 300 meters in, I stopped, completely paralyzed by panic, trying to figure out what to do. That’s when I saw the man to my right. He was barely moving, his body just hanging vertically in the water, his eyes wide and staring straight ahead. He was whispering, "Help me, I’m drowning, help me."

Instinct took over—not of a savior, but of self-preservation. A cold terror hit me that he was going to reach out and use me as a flotation device, dragging us both under. I took one last look at the 1,200 meters of chaos ahead of me and made the call. This was more than I had bargained for. I needed to get out.  Six months of hard training, done in 15 minutes.

I've spent my entire life in lakes, on swim teams, and playing water polo. But I was not prepared for the complete pandemonium of Lac Tremblant that morning.  I spent a day crying and processing the disappointment, but I refused to let fear have the final word. I immediately signed up for the Gatineau Triathlon, happening just two weeks later.

But knowing I was now terrified of the open water, I had to do something uncomfortable: I asked for help. I posted in the Facebook OWS group, and the community answered. Complete strangers and incredible teammates (thank you Rachel, Caitlin and Megan!) stepped up to swim alongside me, helping me face the water again and silence the anxiety. My new mantra became: "Girl, you’ve been swimming your whole life. You got this."

On race day in Gatineau, I seeded myself dead last. When the doubt crept in on lap two, I chose to trust my training, my past, and my community. I conquered the swim, cruised through the rest of the race, and crossed the finish line with a smile.

Triathlon is a humbling sport. It reminds us that we can’t always control the conditions, but we can control how we rebuild. This journey taught me to reach out for support when I'm sinking, to lean on the incredible people around me, and to never give up. Tremblant, I’ll see you next summer.

Congratulations Jennifer!! YOU did it! Not only did you race the Gatineau Olympic Distance, you had a PB on your 10km by15 minutes and absolutely crushed the bike course too. Coach Gabi and I couldn't be prouder of your consistent training all winter, your ability to never give up and how you show up to do hard things.

  Your mind is stronger than you think.

Coach Julia