I don't think that there really are good race contingencies for most 1000 plus open water races. They can be rescheduled to later weekends in some locations, and sometimes the next day works. But usually in an urban race with heavy permit requirements and a large number of participants, its not really going to be feasible. Sometimes, its possible to shorten the race--I've seen that done in Miami and Cancun but it requires a condition that can be made safe with a shorter swim. I don't think any of those situations apply to Big Shoulders. Or Waikiki, or most races that require that lots of people to run safely. And no Bears game to cut off access and make it impossible to get adequate safety personnel.
Its unfortunate and I am as disappointed as anyone that Big Shoulders could not be run(and I was on the beach at Waikiki also so its been a cursed summer in some ways and a great summer in others on balance), but that's the difference between an open water race and an indoor pool competition. The latter can run regardless and the former depends on conditions.
I would suggest that Race Directors should consider contingency plans for how to notify people what is happening. There was some room for improvement at Big Shoulders--by the time that check-in was supposed to be opening, there should have been a race rep on the beach telling people that it was not happening or a decision was still being made--but while that could have been better handled and it should be part of future race planning--need to tell swimmers something by the time check-in will be open, its a minor issue. I was standing in the rain watching the chop and the conditions and I could see no check in and no buoys and I could figure out the race was not happening on time.
I don't think that there really are good race contingencies for most 1000 plus open water races. They can be rescheduled to later weekends in some locations, and sometimes the next day works. But usually in an urban race with heavy permit requirements and a large number of participants, its not really going to be feasible. Sometimes, its possible to shorten the race--I've seen that done in Miami and Cancun but it requires a condition that can be made safe with a shorter swim. I don't think any of those situations apply to Big Shoulders. Or Waikiki, or most races that require that lots of people to run safely. And no Bears game to cut off access and make it impossible to get adequate safety personnel.
Its unfortunate and I am as disappointed as anyone that Big Shoulders could not be run(and I was on the beach at Waikiki also so its been a cursed summer in some ways and a great summer in others on balance), but that's the difference between an open water race and an indoor pool competition. The latter can run regardless and the former depends on conditions.
I would suggest that Race Directors should consider contingency plans for how to notify people what is happening. There was some room for improvement at Big Shoulders--by the time that check-in was supposed to be opening, there should have been a race rep on the beach telling people that it was not happening or a decision was still being made--but while that could have been better handled and it should be part of future race planning--need to tell swimmers something by the time check-in will be open, its a minor issue. I was standing in the rain watching the chop and the conditions and I could see no check in and no buoys and I could figure out the race was not happening on time.
