There are a few universal truths in triathlon. Wetsuit wrestling is an official (unofficial) fourth discipline. The dismount line always appears sooner than you think. And sighting in open water is a rhythm-killing, neck-craning, energy-sapping necessity that we all secretly wish we could do without.
For years, we’ve accepted that zig-zagging our way through the swim course is just part of the deal. You aim for the buoy, put your head down, and hope you’re still pointed in the right direction twenty strokes later. You pop your head up, realize you’ve veered off toward a random fishing boat, and course-correct. It’s a frustrating dance that adds precious time and distance to every race.
But what if it didn’t have to be that way? FORM just dropped some major news that is a genuine game-changer for every triathlete out there, and I had to share it.
Your In-Goggle Compass is Now Free
I’ve been a fan of FORM and their Smart Swim Goggles for a while now. The real-time metrics in your line of sight are incredible for pool training. But their open-water feature, SwimStraight™, has always been the holy grail for triathletes. It’s an in-goggle digital compass that provides a simple visual cue to keep you on a straight line.
The only catch? It was previously part of a premium subscription. But in a move that shows they are genuinely listening to the triathlon community, FORM just announced that SwimStraight™ is now a standard feature, included at no cost with all FORM Smart Swim Goggles.
Yes, you read that right. Whether you have the original Smart Swim 1, the new Smart Swim 2, or the high-end Smart Swim 2 PRO, this essential open-water tool is now yours to use without any extra cost. This is huge.
Why This Matters for Every Triathlete
Let’s be honest, the swim is where many of us feel the most anxiety. It’s the chaotic start to a very long day. Anything that reduces stress and improves efficiency in the water is a significant win. That’s precisely what SwimStraight™ does.
For the First-Timer or Age-Grouper
Remember your first open-water swim? The disorientation? The constant fear you’re swimming into the great unknown? SwimStraight™ is the confidence boost you’ve been looking for. By giving you a simple heading to follow, you can stay focused longer, find your rhythm, and focus on your stroke.
Think about the energy you’ll save. Every time you lift your head to sight, your hips sink, your body line breaks, and you create drag. By drastically reducing how often you need to sight, you conserve vital energy for the bike and run. You’ll not only swim straighter but also exit the water feeling fresher.
For the Competitive Racer Chasing a PR
At the front of the pack, every second counts. The difference between a podium spot and fourth place can come down to the small details. Swimming an extra 100 meters because of poor sighting is a classic, unforced error that can derail your race goals.
With SwimStraight™, you can swim the absolute shortest line between buoys. You trust your tech, keep your head down, and maintain a more hydrodynamic position for longer stretches. It enables a more aggressive, efficient swim, ensuring you don’t give up before you even get on the bike. This isn’t just a cool gadget; it’s a legitimate piece of performance racing equipment.
How It Works (and Why It’s Not Cheating)
The beauty of SwimStraight™ is its simplicity. The compass appears as a subtle ring in your goggle display. As you swim, a heading indicator moves around the ring. Just keep that indicator at the top, and you know you’re on course. If you start to veer left or right, the indicator moves, and you can make a slight correction without ever breaking your stroke.
Some purists might raise an eyebrow, but this isn’t an autopilot. You still have to swim. You still have to navigate around other athletes. This technology eliminates the guesswork from sighting. It’s the equivalent of a bike computer showing you power data—it provides information that helps you perform better. It’s a tool that enables you to execute your swim to the best of your ability.
Time to Get in the Water
This update from FORM is a testament to the company’s understanding of its audience. They heard the triathlon community say that open-water navigation is a fundamental need, not a luxury, and they responded accordingly. It’s a move that will benefit thousands of athletes.
If you already own a pair of FORM Goggles, the firmware should update automatically to provide access. If you’ve been on the fence about getting a pair, this might be the reason to invest finally. The ability to train with real-time metrics in the pool and to navigate open water seamlessly makes them one of the most powerful training tools a triathlete can own.
This is a big win for our sport. See you at the start line—hopefully swimming a lot straighter!
To pick up a pair of FORM Goggles, visit this page.
