Discussion: Open water

I find I start flailing as soon as I’m in open water - possibly the temperature- and I have to consciously slow my arm rate down.

Haha, interesting. I certainly have done the swim fast to warm up tactic before and ran out of strength. I think you're supposed to have a faster arm rate/different technique in open water, I just don't have the strength to maintain it and my technique is very much a pool stroke.
Today not sure that was the issue since it was so warm. Possibly has become habit though from colder days.