Swimming 
in open water offers many joys not found in pools, and also a few challenges, like waves. Happily, now comes the Wall Street Journal with three pieces of sound advice about such challenges. WSJ Fitness reporter Jen Murphy consults Sara McLarty, a coach and owner of Swim Like A Pro in Clermont, Fla., about how she prepares open water swimmers for, well, open water. First, says McLarty, swimmers should practice an open-water technique called sighting– lifting the eyes out of the water and looking forward to make sure you are still on course for the buoys. McLarty has her clients build the neck strength needed for sighting by swimming with their heads out of water and keeping their eyes on a water bottle at the end of the lane in a pool. Second, writes Murphy, bilateral breathing, or alternating sides during freestyle, is critical for open-water swimming. Not only does it allow a swimmer to breathe away from the waves, it also promotes a straighter and well-balanced stroke. Finally, says Murphy, drafting– following in the slipstream of another swimmer– can save energy and allow one to follow that swimmer’s bubbles so they don’t have to worry about sighting.