SWIMMERS TAKE CHILLY PLUNGE : MASTERING OCEAN BEATS DOING LAPS.

Byline: Jenifer Hanrahan

The swimmers donned caps and goggles and surveyed the six-foot waves. Their coach, Steve Hyde, shouted pointers on making their way out to sea.

``Always stay horizontal,'' said Hyde, coach of the South Bay Waves masters swim team. ``It's the difference between being a boat and a cork. If you're swimming, you're a boat and you have power. If you're standing, you're a cork and you're going to get tossed.''

Every Sunday morning about 30 swimmers from several masters swim teams meet for a training session in the brine between the Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach piers.

Ocean swimmers say open-water training lets them commune with the elements while getting a great workout that not only improves their swimming ability but their confidence as well.

``I like the way it makes me feel inside and out,'' said Chip Kindelan, 36, of Palos Verdes, who regularly swims the 2-mile trek from pier to pier. ``I like the feeling of conquering that distance, looking back and seeing how far I've come. It's much more natural than swimming in a pool.''

Years of pool laps had left Ellen Engelpe, 39, of Palos Verdes, yearning for a new challenge. Engelpe recalled the first time she pulled on a wet suit and braved the chilly saltwater.

``The weather was terrible. It was cold and miserable,'' she said. ``Then I got in, and I felt so exhilarated and so powerful. It just made me feel that I could do anything.''

Making the transition from pool to ocean requires some planning. I asked experienced ocean swimmers for their advice on getting started. Here's what they had to say:

Choosing your beach: Swim where there's a lifeguard, and before you enter the water ask him or her about the conditions. Lifeguards can tell you if there are dangerous currents and whether the water is clean. Even in calm conditions, the water will be choppier than in a pool, so expect to swallow a few mouthfuls.

It's best to stay away from beaches where storm drains empty. These areas are prone to high bacteria counts that can make you sick.

And what about sharks? You probably won't encounter any swimming near Los Angeles County beaches, said senior lifeguard Patrick Jones.

Warming up: Ocean temperatures are generally cooler than in pools, so it's important to do at least 20 minutes of jogging or calisthenics and stretching before starting your swim. (Last weekend, some local ocean temperatures were 67 degrees. By mid-summer, they should warm up to about 70 degrees.)

Even in warmer waters, ocean swimmers run the risk of hypothermia, when the body temperature drops 4 or more degrees below normal. Signs of hypothermia include confusion, slurred speech and loss of coordination. If you feel any symptoms, get out of the water immediately, put on warm clothes and drink warm liquids.

Some ocean swimmers wear a wet suit or coat themselves with petroleum jelly for insulation. The best way to avoid hypothermia is to avoid prolonged swims in cold water.

``If it's your first time, take it slow,'' said Clay Evans, coach of Southern California Aquatics masters team, who has been winning ocean races for 15 years. He recommended starting with a 20-minute swim.

Negotiating the surf: When you get about waist high in the water, it's time to start swimming. The key is to go beneath the breaking waves. When you look up and see a monstrous crest, don't just stand there - dive under. As the white water rushes over you, grab onto the bottom. Keep your arms and hands above your head to protect your neck. When you feel the turbulence subside, push off the bottom and continue swimming.

If you get caught in a rip tide, don't panic. Rip tides generally dissipate a few hundred yards from shore. You can let it carry you a few hundred yards, then swim parallel to shore until you're free from it. Don't try to swim straight back inland. (Experienced ocean swimmers actually use the strong currents of rip tides during races.)

Out at sea: You'll generally need to swim from 50 to 200 yards from shore to get past the breakers, where the water will be calmer. Then, swim parallel to shore. Never swim straight out to sea where you'll be out of sight of lifeguards.

Navigational skills: Choose a landmark, such as a point of land, buoys or a pier, to help you swim a straight course. Keep an eye on the fixed spot by picking your head up every few strokes.

Los Angeles County lifeguards have buoys used for training set up 250 yards from shore at several locations, including Will Rogers State Beach and Santa Monica State Beach. These sites also have year-round lifeguards.

Use common sense: If you're feeling tired, swim to shore, especially in rough conditions.

Most important, never swim alone.

WHOM TO CALL Several masters teams meet for Sunday morning ocean swims throughout the summer. Call Southern California Aquatics at [phone] or the South Bay Waves at [phone] to join them for a free swim in the ocean.

If you feel nervous or your swimming skills aren't quite up to par for a distance swim, consider an ocean-swimming clinic. The Southern Pacific Masters Association will hold ocean-swimming clinics June 16, July 21 and August 18. The cost is $15 for a 90-minute lesson with experienced ocean swimmers and beach lifeguards. Call [phone] for information.

Once you're more confident, you can participate in the ocean races that will be held along Los Angeles County beaches throughout the summer.

The VO2 Max Ocean Race Series gets under way July 14 with a 2-mile ocean race in Newport Beach. Included in the series are races from three-quarters of a mile to 10 miles. Call [phone] for details.

The International Surf Festival will be held Aug. 1-4, featuring ocean races along with other athletic events. Call the county Department of Beaches and Harbors at [phone] for an entry form, or write to: Pier-to-Pier Coordinator, 416 Fifth St., Manhattan Beach, Calif. 90266.

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Photo, Box

Photo: Southern California Aquatics masters swimmers h it the surf.

Gene Blevins / Daily News

Box: WHOM TO CALL (See text)