The open water discussion has been a little boring lately so time to add some controversy. The above quote was affixed to a plaque my swimmers gave me when I retired as Head Coach of the University of Denver Masters Swim Team. Yes, they knew where I stood on the subject. Others share my view. In my day job as a stock broker I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal “Wimp or Triathlete, You Probably Like That New Wetsuit" by Kevin Helliker, published on September 24, 1999. In it were several memorable quotes on the subject. "How pathetic, says Betsy Brennan a Lake Michigan swimmer" "When I see people in wetsuits, I think: wimp." Another Chicagoan Ted Erikson, who did a double crossing of the English Channel without a wetsuit, said on the increasingly use of wetsuit by swimmers in Lake Michigan. "I ask them, 'Why don't you just get a boat? Boats have heaters.”:D
don't you think that is bad? i feel very strongly that if you need a wetsuit/surfboard/any other type of equipment in order to feel safe or comfortable in the ocean, you should not be swimming in the ocean!!!
I tend to agree with this sentiment a little. I participated in the inaugural (and last) Ironman Utah (2002) where someone drowned. The water was perfectly swimmable (is that a word) if they could attach the buouys so they were not blowing away. Ever since then, triathlon directors are always threatening to cancel the swim because of unsafe waters which sucks for me as I can't bike or run. Encouraging participation with wetsuits is great but ruining my vacation and months of training because you can't swim without waterwings is another thing.
The argument is simple: Real swimmers do wear wetsuits when they want to go fast. When they just want to be manly:weightlifter:, they don't (www.swimaroundtherock.com/results.html).
P.S. Give it up for resurrected threads from 4 years ago!
don't you think that is bad? i feel very strongly that if you need a wetsuit/surfboard/any other type of equipment in order to feel safe or comfortable in the ocean, you should not be swimming in the ocean!!!
I tend to agree with this sentiment a little. I participated in the inaugural (and last) Ironman Utah (2002) where someone drowned. The water was perfectly swimmable (is that a word) if they could attach the buouys so they were not blowing away. Ever since then, triathlon directors are always threatening to cancel the swim because of unsafe waters which sucks for me as I can't bike or run. Encouraging participation with wetsuits is great but ruining my vacation and months of training because you can't swim without waterwings is another thing.
The argument is simple: Real swimmers do wear wetsuits when they want to go fast. When they just want to be manly:weightlifter:, they don't (www.swimaroundtherock.com/results.html).
P.S. Give it up for resurrected threads from 4 years ago!
