OWS in Gulf of Mexico

Hello all!

Targeted this sub for more sound advice aside from the triathlon sub. How hard is it to successfully swim in the Gulf? I am fairly confident in both lap pool and swimming in large lakes with decent chop.

But what would it take to make the dive (I'm funny, I swear! 😂) into OWS in Ocean Water?

I am targeting a 70.3 in Panama City Beach next May and would like to make that my challenge to myself of facing the ocean for a swim. It's only 1.2 miles and I have done a 140.6 this year. So strength and confidence go far beyond a little 1900m swim. Lol

Looking for advice/tips/tricks to simulate as the most I'd be able to do is go down a few days prior to the race to finally see how swimming in saltwater goes. Obviously not incredibly ideal. But still mulling over if this is possible and/or an incredibly dumb idea.

Thanks all!

EDIT: Cross-posted from r/swimming