Perhaps a solution is a qualifying process for triathlons with swims of more than 400 yards. Before a triathlete can compete in a triathlon with an open water swim of 500 or 600 yards, he/she must have completed a triathlon with an open water swim of 300 or 400 yards. For a triathlon with a 1/2 mile swim, said triathlete must have completed a triathlon with an open water swim of at least 600 yards. For an Olympic distance triathlon, said triathlete must have completed a triathlon with a 1/2 mile open water swim.
Who is going to be the one verifying all of this? The race director who might have 800 or 1000 entrants? The USAT official who is usually a volunteer? Or will it be on the honor system? Everyone signs a waiver that they are fit and can handle the race. They take on their own liability and in most cases they are adults. If they find themselves in trouble during the swim, they need to flag down a boat. Maybe more boats are needed at each race. Perhaps so many boats per race participants.
I agree with Ken. We don't need more nannies. This is a USAT issue, not a USMS issue.
put the swim at the end of the race. how about: run/ bike/ swim? are people dying in mass run start events? by the time people get to the swim, the field will be spread out and it will be easier to watch the swimmers.
Hmmmmm... I'm not sure about having a person who is a lousy swimmer, probably dehydrated and tired, attempt the most dangerous portion of the race in that condition. However, it would be fun to watch them try to get their wetsuits on.
-LBJ
Hmmmmm... I'm not sure about having a person who is a lousy swimmer, probably dehydrated and tired, attempt the most dangerous portion of the race in that condition. However, it would be fun to watch them try to get their wetsuits on.
-LBJ
a lousy swimmer could probably swim a mile more easily without 1000 people swimming over them. also... it would be easier for those charged with watching said swimmers to spot one having trouble.
I think that perhaps a lot of the published triathlon training plans, programs, schedules, need to be revised for a greater emphasis on swimming.
I remember looking at a few when I was doing triathlons, and thinking "wow, that's not very much swimming."
For what it is worth there are alot of triathlon and endurance events that have entrance requirements. YOu cannot just sign up for Kona. Same goes for the Boston Marathon, and English channel swim.
Geek I did a pool swim tri two months ago, entered at 1:10 per 100M and was seeded 9th. But me and another swimmer who was seeded 5th beat everyone else by more than 10 seconds per 100. Whatever...
I don't know much about the whole triathlon thing as I am just getting back into swimming, so I may be talking out of my rear here. But the few guys I see at my pool every day training for their triathlons seem to rely entirely on pool toys for their swims, which from what I can gather, is not the greatest approach? There is one guy who uses paddles, buoys and fins for about 90% of his workout....what happens once he hits the open water without all that gear?
And although there are many amazing athletes who do compete in these events, triathlons seem to attract alot of folks who do it simply because they think its "cool" which is not a problem in and of itself if you train properly, but I can see it becoming an issue if you are not willing to do the hard work to make sure you are fit for the competition. For example, one other guy at my pool spends about half his time bragging to whomever will listen that he is a triathlete...these are people I can see getting into some major trouble in the water.
For example, one other guy at my pool spends about half his time bragging to whomever will listen that he is a triathlete...these are people I can see getting into some major trouble in the water.
How do you tell who the triathlete is? You don't...they tell you.:)
Good point. But I'd argue that a larger portion of OW swimmers already swim regularly, most with a USMS team, and that is what differentiates OW swimmers from triathletes - they actually train swimming!
This goes back to my point about hosting distance meets - they're a great barometer for anyone looking to do a longer-distance race.
no amount of pool swimming can really prepare someone for being in the middle of 2000 thrashing bodies in the ocean
agreed.
there was however quite a movement to create a mandatory wetsuit division for USMS sanctioned openwater events. one of the primary reasons (as it was argued) was to generate greater participation among the tri crowd.
First, I think it is unlikely that USAT would implement certification programs. Triathlon is a business and becoming a big business. They are put on by Production companies for profit. Not all of them are for charity and even the ones that are, hire production companies for a fee to put the race on. More participants equals more dollars.
Second, who is most responsible for a participants well being, the race organiziers or the individual? I know this is not current trend in this country but I vote for the individual. Individual freedom includes the freedom to fail and or die in there persuit of happiness.
Third, what happens when someone goes belly up even though they were "certified" is there an investigation, were standards not high enough were the trainers incompetent?
Finally, as an organization (USMS) we should warn potential participants of the dangers, educate, provide clinics and training but not place restrictions on people.
Plus, I for one enjoy reading the Darwin awards....:) There carbon friendly.
One may avoid reality, but one cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.
(Ayn Rand)
