Tri Girl has great tips!

I did my first few OWS races mostly sidestroke because I would start to panic and not be able to breathe if I put my face in the water. Fine in practice, a basket case in a race. Last race, second season, I finally swam the whole thing freestyle.

I still have moments where I'll start thinking that I can't finish and then I remind myself to slow down, calm myself, and swim my own race.

At this point in your tri career, instead of "breathe power joy" I would suggest "breathe, calm, joy" or "Keep Calm and Carry On".

If you stick with it, it will get better.

Good luck!