25K National Championship - Any Takers?

Only if you plan on swimming really slow. And only if you let me draft off you in the 25K. And check out the photos of marathon swimmers Angela Maurer and Vladimir Dyatchin on the FINA web site. These swimmers are succeeding in swims longer and colder that the USMS 25K and neither is carrying much extra insulation. www.fina.org/.../index.php Whatever! You are WAY faster than I am. :bow: Great examples particularly since Vladimir had some major injuries from the jellyfish. I see what you are saying. However, how old is this kid? 12? :joker: Not that young, but he's gotta be in his 20s at most. Need to switch to OW swimming. They don't post age ANYWHERE.

How amazing that you attempted that swim! :bow: I'd never try something like that. Must have been so cold that day. Diaz looked really cold in that pic and I don't think you guys had even started the race yet. And talk about rough looking waves. . . :weightlifter: Looks like only one gal came close to finishing at 21 miles. Here I am worried about a puny 25K. :doh: I hadn't seen those pictures in a while. What a freakin day! It was my first go at a marathon swim, kicked my ass and I haven't had the nerve to try another one. I think these pictures tell the story of the day. Picture 1 is the late and great Dave Parcells being swamped by a wave Picture 2 is another showing the white caps that were out that day. We took off and after an hour or so started the big turn around Pinellas point and right into a stiff northerly wind that was fetching up waves across a huge expanse of the bay. My hats off to the guys who made it the whole way. I bailed after 4 and a half hours of getting tossed around and getting seasick.

So how hard is it? Figure it is in a lake so waves and not a factor. Figure again it is in a lake so it will be beyond boring. what do you figure the level of fitness needed to finish?

So how hard is it? Figure it is in a lake so waves and not a factor. Figure again it is in a lake so it will be beyond boring. what do you figure the level of fitness needed to finish? It will be like doing an ironman. If your goal is to finish, piece of cake (with not much increase in training level). If your goal is swim fast, pain beyond your wildest dreams (and a great increase in yardage leading up to it).

Goal would be to finish. Probally lead off on a SKY relay. Then go the rest of the way solo. Think they will let you do that? Dum Question: If it is a set course why do we need a kayaker? Of course there is the feeding issue, but I am sure something could be worked out with a platform. I have used a kayaker for open water where a guide was needed but this is a lake.

Which is odd as you swim the 10k solo. And races like GCBS which probally has a higher likelyhood of going down. I don't know what normal policy is. I did the 10K masters nationals in 2006 and the event there required a kayak but they provided them (entry fee was like 100 dollars--and the kayakers donated the money back to a local charity for troubled youth).

Goal would be to finish. Probally lead off on a SKY relay. Then go the rest of the way solo. Think they will let you do that? Dum Question: If it is a set course why do we need a kayaker? Of course there is the feeding issue, but I am sure something could be worked out with a platform. I have used a kayaker for open water where a guide was needed but this is a lake. I would think they would let you do both if you are lead off for a relay (I do that a lot in triathlons--swim leg of relay and then keep going individually). The answer to your next question--lawyers. Liability is too high. They will never let you go alone.

Which is odd as you swim the 10k solo. And races like GCBS which probally has a higher likelyhood of going down.

In the 25K event, the kayaker will serve several purposes, most important, that of supplying food and fluids to the swimmer, but also for safety and navigation. As a condition for issuing a permit for the race, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has requested the kayak escorts to aid navigation to prevent swimming in the center of the channel where rereational boaters will be moving at idle speed. All kayakers will have rescue tubes or other flotation devices as well as the special nutritional needs of each swimmer. Relays will not have personal escorts. Since it's only one lap of the course, nutritional needs should be minimal and there will be sufficient kayakers on the course for them to track as well as buoys. I don't know what normal policy is. I did the 10K masters nationals in 2006 and the event there required a kayak but they provided them (entry fee was like 100 dollars--and the kayakers donated the money back to a local charity for troubled youth).

I am the 25k race director's wife and want to clarify the issue regarding the kayakers. My husband will have paddlers and kayaks available... he doesn't expect you to put your kayak on the plane. 25K is a long way to swim and to paddle, so expect that there will be some shift changes. Every 5K you will be back at the start/finish line and can exchange paddlers. There are several local canoe/kayak clubs that will assist and many from our local masters swim team have volunteered to assist as well. That being said, we encourage you to bring a paddler for your own advantage. Swimmer and kayaker work as a team, with the paddler supplying navigation, food, beverage and moral support and encouragement. If you have trained a few times with someone, it's likely the event will go more smoothly for you. Good luck with your training and I'm gonna get a relay together (NASTi women!! what fun!!!)......bring 'em on!!!!