times for OWS compared to pools

I would say that if you are very good at swimming straight in OWS it's about 6seconds/100m slower than a 25m pool.

I would say about 1.5 seconds per turn. I base this on personal experience and time difference when swimming in a 50m pool vs a 25m pool.

zig zagging in open water, sighting, drafting, being stopped by other swimmers will alter this

I don't think I'll never know exactly because the true distance in any OWS race will "float" a little.  The bouys will move, your true distance swam will vary based on sighting etc.  What I have noticed for me is that my OWS swim pace per 100 yards is anywhere from 10-20 seconds slower than my long pool swim times.

For example:  In a SCY swim of 1000 yards, it took me 14:20 to complete the race which is approx. 1:26 per 100 yards.

I think my best OWS swim pace was 1:35 per 100 yards.  I typically average around 1:40 per 100 yardsin OWS.

There are really way too many variables involved.  For example, how fast are your turns in the pool?  How well can you keep a straight line in open water?  And the biggest variable of all is that the open water swim is highly unlikely to be accurately measured.

I've done supposed 1500m open water swims that took 21, 25 and 31 mins.  750m swims that took anywhere from 9 to 13 mins as well as a 400m swim that took 12.  Basically, you have no idea what you're gonna get. 

Thank you for the answers. I realize there are many variables, but I got the answer I was looking for. To be on the safe side, I will expect an extra 45 - 60 seconds for a 750 meters swim and will be able to compare with the results from last year's event.

My goal on my first Sprint is simply surviving, but even after years of neglect, there's a small part of my brain which seems decided on "not finishing last :-)"

Since that part is very helpful in motivating me to work harder,

I figure that part is not all wrong :-))

Thanks Again,

Luc

I think I faster in OWS. My guess is most likely due to wetsuit buoyancy and slow turns in pool. I find it much easier to find a rhythm while OWS because you don't have to turn around every 25.

Agreed with much of the above.  Too many variables to make a generalization.  I for one tend to be faster in open water due to the suit and the fact there is no turning at walls.