In the pool, speed is ne plus ultra. In rough water, the priority is order of finish.

Speed, or pace, is therefore a means to the end. Other objectives include navigation, drafting (efficient pace), and positioning. To execute well, the athlete must gather contextual evidence and make good decisions.

Sources of evidence include course features (e.g., turn buoys), conditions, other athletes, and one’s own state. Of these, the latter is the noisiest.

The key to rough water success is sidelining background noise, in order to gather evidence and make good decisions.