Wetsuit wisdom?

Diana - Yes, I intend to be there, the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise. Look for the decrepit old man with a green "Rainbow Channel Swim" cap on. They do allow wetsuits, but I doubt that one will be needed for warmth. Speed is, of course, another issue. It is generally not choppy at all - at least nowhere near the bay. Much closer to a pool swim except... the current. If I am reading the tide chart correctly, it looks like we will be swimming into a current on the way out and then have it with us on the way back, except it will be diminishing somewhat on the way back - no such thing as a free lunch. Generally, the first 1.5 miles out isn't too bad as it is somewhat out of the main flow of the current, but then it gets pretty tough to the turn around point at 2.5 miles. 2 years ago the last 1/2 mile out to the turn around was straight out of a Stephen King novel. Also, they don't have lots of aid (you need to flag a kayaker over to get some water), so you might want to tuck a Gu packet under your cap. No worries about crowds in the 5 mile - 25 would be a huge field and I think that last year they had something like 13 (?). They have adequate bathroom and post-race shower facilities, to boot. The food is usually GREAT, but anyone in the 5 mile race tends to be last pig to the trough. This is about as low-key as races get. Don't go expecting a lifetime best, but the scenery and people are second to none. The race t-shirts are usually funky (and nice). Personally speaking, I find this race much more enjoyable than the Bay swim and have done it 4 times so far. Hope to see you there. -LBJ

Diana - Yes, I intend to be there, the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise. Look for the decrepit old man with a green "Rainbow Channel Swim" cap on. They do allow wetsuits, but I doubt that one will be needed for warmth. Speed is, of course, another issue. It is generally not choppy at all - at least nowhere near the bay. Much closer to a pool swim except... the current. If I am reading the tide chart correctly, it looks like we will be swimming into a current on the way out and then have it with us on the way back, except it will be diminishing somewhat on the way back - no such thing as a free lunch. Generally, the first 1.5 miles out isn't too bad as it is somewhat out of the main flow of the current, but then it gets pretty tough to the turn around point at 2.5 miles. 2 years ago the last 1/2 mile out to the turn around was straight out of a Stephen King novel. Also, they don't have lots of aid (you need to flag a kayaker over to get some water), so you might want to tuck a Gu packet under your cap. No worries about crowds in the 5 mile - 25 would be a huge field and I think that last year they had something like 13 (?). They have adequate bathroom and post-race shower facilities, to boot. The food is usually GREAT, but anyone in the 5 mile race tends to be last pig to the trough. This is about as low-key as races get. Don't go expecting a lifetime best, but the scenery and people are second to none. The race t-shirts are usually funky (and nice). Personally speaking, I find this race much more enjoyable than the Bay swim and have done it 4 times so far. Hope to see you there. -LBJ