Wetsuit wisdom?

Bruce - The "evil wetsuit" comment was made somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Admittedly, my arrid sense of humor doesn't come across easily in emails/posts. As I have stated before, my position is that although I prefer not to wear one, I can see that others might. Furthermore, I also understand that alot of races allow them to be worn for either practical/safety reasons (e.g. they don't want to pull 100 hypothermic swimmers from the water) or financial reasons (e.g. they will attract a larger field and raise more $ for whatever charity they work with.) I also don't really care if I get beaten out for an award because the 3 guys ahead of me in my age group were wearing wetsuits - I have a small crate of awards from my track & field days. Yes, to each his own path and those who wear wetsuits will face their punishment along with those who practice unnatural things (fly, back, and ***) come judgement day. ;) -LBJ

Leonard.... Actually, I assumed your comment was made with a wink (and I appreciated it as such) but I just took the opportunity to get up on my soapbox and drum up some discussion...the anti-wetsuit issue is held pretty dearly by a lotta folks...and I don't quite understand why....well...I guess I'm just as pro as others are anti...however, it's fun to discuss......by the way...I'm with you on the unnatural *** stroke....

Diana, Sorry your swim did not go that well. They should not have made you get out. That was wrong. I think everyone should be able to finish even if they are not really fast. I don't think my wetsuit helps me go faster. I think I will only use it when the water is really cold like at the Reston swim. I probably did not need it for the Bay swim. I will think about the Sunfest. Good luck training for Bonaire. I was looking at that website. It looks like you will have so much fun! Swimmy :)

Diana - Sorry to hear what happened. I've never heard of them closing the course before, so it may be that the marine police had to leave. Regardless, it is something that they should mention. Perhaps email Dason Nash with the suggestion. WRT the Sunfest Swim - Yes, it is fun, but depending on where they start it and if the tide is low, the start can be very rough. It is the only swim I've ever dropped out of (in 2000, I think). They were pulling kids ouf the the surf right and left and I had to pick up and carry a 15 year old girl out of the surf. By the time I got her to a lifeguard, I figured that it wasn't worth making a safety boat wait just for me, 200+ yards behind the last swimmer when others might need it more. But I did it the next year and it was fine. Go figure. -LBJ

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

Leonard, Are you doing the Rainbow Channnel Swim this year? I think I may go up for it... Swimmy :)

Any advice for the Rainbow Channel Swim? A :)

Allyson - Yes, I am, but that is dependant on the weather and any last minutes crisis issues here. But as of now, yes. -LBJ

Originally posted by Swimmy Any advice for the Rainbow Channel Swim? A :) 1) At the start, you have to cross a few hundred yards perpendicular to the tide. The tide will be at the very end of incoming at race start and you might have to fight it slightly to get to the island, but it will probably be minor. 2) Pay attention to the race course instructions because they seem to change how they want you to finish every year. Last year they had us make a beeline from the end of the island to the finish and that is the shortest distance. However, in the prior two years, they did other things, so who knows what it will be this year. 3) Parking can be tight. Be sure to obey the parking signs because the police will ticket you if you don't. 4) If you wear a wetsuit, they make you start several minutes after the non-wetsuit people. Not sure which category you are in, but again, they will give instructions at the start. 5) Have fun. Hope to see you there. -LBJ

I don't think I am going to be able to make it to the swim on Saturday. Too many other things I have to do. Good luck. We will have to meet at some other swim. Allyson :)