Wetsuit wisdom?

Hi everyone! Finally back from a week's vacation, and lots to do but wanted to check in. The Swim for Life was a fun event, but as Leonard said the current was quite swift. I did the 5 mile event, but just barely made it. In fact, I was officially disqualified because around 4.5 miles (I was at the 1-mile turn-around buoy), the rescue boat came up to me and said they had orders to pull everyone from the water. I protested as much as I could, but got in the boat. They radioed to shore, and were able to let me get back in the water to finish it on my own. I wish they would have radioed before I got on the boat, but I really wanted to finish it on my own. I was quite upset. I didn't realize there was a time limit, and that we would be pulled. I think DCAC needs to specify that next year. My pace was good, though, right around my Bay Swim pace, but it was 5 miles! I ended up finishing it in 3.5 hours, but actually a bit less than that if you subtract the time I spent arguing with the boat people. I wore a wetsuit, but kinda wish I hadn't. I think the water was so warm that it might have actually slowed me down a bit. Not sure, but I think so. And you really didn't need to worry about drowning out there - it was so shallow most of the time I could touch the bottom, and even stroked mud a couple of times. It was a good swim though, and I will probably do it again next year. But since I will probably do the Bay Swim the week before, I may just do 3 or 4 miles, instead of 5. Not sure - will have to see what next year brings. Now I am ramping up to get ready for the Ecoswim in Bonaire. I signed up for the 10K, so I want to be ready for it. Plus, I don't think I will wear a wetsuit for the Ecoswim. I have a feeling there will be more "purists" there. Swimmy - you might want to consider the Sunfest Swim in Ocean City, MD in September. They have 1K, 3K and 5K swims to choose from, and it's really a fun swim along the Boardwalk. Diana

Hi everyone! Finally back from a week's vacation, and lots to do but wanted to check in. The Swim for Life was a fun event, but as Leonard said the current was quite swift. I did the 5 mile event, but just barely made it. In fact, I was officially disqualified because around 4.5 miles (I was at the 1-mile turn-around buoy), the rescue boat came up to me and said they had orders to pull everyone from the water. I protested as much as I could, but got in the boat. They radioed to shore, and were able to let me get back in the water to finish it on my own. I wish they would have radioed before I got on the boat, but I really wanted to finish it on my own. I was quite upset. I didn't realize there was a time limit, and that we would be pulled. I think DCAC needs to specify that next year. My pace was good, though, right around my Bay Swim pace, but it was 5 miles! I ended up finishing it in 3.5 hours, but actually a bit less than that if you subtract the time I spent arguing with the boat people. I wore a wetsuit, but kinda wish I hadn't. I think the water was so warm that it might have actually slowed me down a bit. Not sure, but I think so. And you really didn't need to worry about drowning out there - it was so shallow most of the time I could touch the bottom, and even stroked mud a couple of times. It was a good swim though, and I will probably do it again next year. But since I will probably do the Bay Swim the week before, I may just do 3 or 4 miles, instead of 5. Not sure - will have to see what next year brings. Now I am ramping up to get ready for the Ecoswim in Bonaire. I signed up for the 10K, so I want to be ready for it. Plus, I don't think I will wear a wetsuit for the Ecoswim. I have a feeling there will be more "purists" there. Swimmy - you might want to consider the Sunfest Swim in Ocean City, MD in September. They have 1K, 3K and 5K swims to choose from, and it's really a fun swim along the Boardwalk. Diana