When estimating distance with elapsed time while swimming, you should swim at what pace?

Swimming at a normal, relaxed pace is the most effective way to estimate distance with elapsed time. At this pace, a diver can maintain a consistent and sustainable speed that closely resembles their typical swimming rate. This consistency is vital for accurately assessing how far they have traveled over a given time, as it minimizes variations that can occur with faster or more erratic swimming speeds.

If a swimmer were to choose a fast-paced or maximum effort, they would likely fatigue more quickly, making it difficult to maintain an accurate rhythm for distance estimation. In contrast, a variable pace could lead to inconsistencies that would affect the accuracy of the distance estimate, as different speeds would alter the relationship between time and distance. Thus, maintaining a normal, relaxed pace allows for a more reliable distance estimation based on the time spent swimming.