Had my first open water swim up in the frozen north. It was simply wonderful to be outside and swim free!! ( no admission costs!!)
I was the only swimmer in the group (14 of us) without a wetsuit but the water temp , 68 or 19, and was surprisingly warm. We did a 80 min workout and I was toasty warm the whole time.
I noticed that focusing carefully on the smaller details of my technique has certainly paid off. And a bonus, with the clear water I could check to see those tell tale bubbles around the hand in the pull and could make corrections.
A great workout. Back in the lake tomorrow. Once acclimatized to this temp, I will move to a cooler lake and adapt to that. I know not all waters are this delightful temperature !
Looking forward to the open water season.
Parents
Former Member
When competing in the open water, especially in the sea, I wanted a longer suit that covered more so 'things - creatures, jelly fish, weeds, any floating object etc- wouldn't have as much area to touch! However I also wanted a suit that covered up my fair skin so I wouldn't get quite so burnt. Burnt butt isn't a great feeling.
I do like the fit, and feel of the knee length aquablade, but didn't like the zip so have the racer back one.
I am also interested in what other swimmers wear in the open water.
However after getting a most severe case of hypothermia last year I must admit to being a tad bit scared about ever getting that cold again. With my age creeping up there, and the body taking longer to get warmed up, an overcast day and wind is a rather large risk or contributing factor for hypothermia for me.
We were told at the 2002 World MAster Champs, by the medical experts there that the fast skins were too constrictive and would actually make the body cooler by restricting the circulation to the extremities. (not that they have a huge insulation factor to begin with) And judging by the numbers pulled from the water wearing fastskins they could be right. However I also felt that far too many entered who had not trained open water and more importantly in cooler temperatures. Although the water was 18 or 68? it was fine for those who have trained in this water temp. A lot of pressure was put on to either shorten the distance or cancel the event. Fortunately the event did go ahead, (but the timing left a lot to be desired, lots of swimmers and far too few timers)
If they had a 1km, 2.5km and 5km distance it would be great.
The World MAster Games in 2005 offer 1, 2 and 3km distances, no 1500m in the pool though.
When competing in the open water, especially in the sea, I wanted a longer suit that covered more so 'things - creatures, jelly fish, weeds, any floating object etc- wouldn't have as much area to touch! However I also wanted a suit that covered up my fair skin so I wouldn't get quite so burnt. Burnt butt isn't a great feeling.
I do like the fit, and feel of the knee length aquablade, but didn't like the zip so have the racer back one.
I am also interested in what other swimmers wear in the open water.
However after getting a most severe case of hypothermia last year I must admit to being a tad bit scared about ever getting that cold again. With my age creeping up there, and the body taking longer to get warmed up, an overcast day and wind is a rather large risk or contributing factor for hypothermia for me.
We were told at the 2002 World MAster Champs, by the medical experts there that the fast skins were too constrictive and would actually make the body cooler by restricting the circulation to the extremities. (not that they have a huge insulation factor to begin with) And judging by the numbers pulled from the water wearing fastskins they could be right. However I also felt that far too many entered who had not trained open water and more importantly in cooler temperatures. Although the water was 18 or 68? it was fine for those who have trained in this water temp. A lot of pressure was put on to either shorten the distance or cancel the event. Fortunately the event did go ahead, (but the timing left a lot to be desired, lots of swimmers and far too few timers)
If they had a 1km, 2.5km and 5km distance it would be great.
The World MAster Games in 2005 offer 1, 2 and 3km distances, no 1500m in the pool though.
