Are Open Water events more popular than Pool events?
Former Member
It’s undeniable that the popularity of open water swimming has risen dramatically in the last few years. But when looking for a LCM meet to swim in, I saw an interesting trend on the USMS Calendar.
www.usms.org/.../calendar.php
Here in the Colonies Zone, there are three pool meets listed (two were last weekend and the other is in October) and TEN open water events. In the Great Lakes Zone, there are ZERO pool meets (not counting LCM Nationals in Indy) and seven open water events. These kinds of numbers are similar in virtually all the Zones.
Has open water swimming officially passed pool swimming in popularity?
Parents
Former Member
OW swimming may be very popular among tris but I don't think that they go to many Masters sanctioned events (at least around here) due to the pesky requirement that then not wear wetsuits.
though tri's may be well represented at open water swims, the percentage of tri's that will actually compete in a swim only event is pretty small. i think there is opportunity to combine triathlons and swim events.... the effort to set up a course with buoys, timing, support and safety etc is not a small one and there would be economy in joining forces.
OW swimming may be very popular among tris but I don't think that they go to many Masters sanctioned events (at least around here) due to the pesky requirement that then not wear wetsuits.
though tri's may be well represented at open water swims, the percentage of tri's that will actually compete in a swim only event is pretty small. i think there is opportunity to combine triathlons and swim events.... the effort to set up a course with buoys, timing, support and safety etc is not a small one and there would be economy in joining forces.
