[Tom Pamperin]

A swim buoy would be a good idea to avoid getting run over if there is lots of boat traffic where you swim.

Glad to hear you're enjoying TI in open water. Me, too. I have learned that to swim in waves without losing form, it's really important to keep the head LOW in the water. When I started, my instincts were to raise my head to breathe, but it's actually easier and smoother to breathe when I focus on keeping my head very low in the water. I now actually seek out rough conditions to train in, and with time have gotten very comfortable in big waves.

It is ESPECIALLY in big waves where keeping your head low when breathing, no lifting, makes things easier. That may seem backwards, but I've found it very true.