I have my first ever open water swim coming up next month, the Alcatraz Sharkfest. It's not too long, about a mile and a half, but the water is pretty cold (60) and the currents are strong. I got a wetsuit for the swim, but am not going to be able to test it in salt water until the day before the swim.
As a 56 year old novice swimmer, I can't swim that far using continuous freestyle, so I thought I would alternate freestyle and breaststroke, doing maybe 70 - 80 strokes of free (equal to 200 meters in the pool), then 20 - 40 strokes of *** to rest.
I've read a few posts from people saying that they were unable to swim *** in a wetsuit because it made them too bouyant. But I've also read a couple of other posts referring to people alternating strokes just like I'm planning to do.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has some experience with this. If the breaststroke is not going to be workable, what other techniques do you use for resting in the open water?
Thanks.
Parents
Former Member
When you stop for nourishment during a swim during the night in rough water now that is an experiance.
Even though the stop may be for a few seconds the waves have turned you around and when you start swimming again you have to sight to see which way you have to swim. I was lucky I saw the bridge at the Hamilton Beach I new were Toronto was and headed for TO.
In the cross Lake Ontario race in 1964 half way through the night the water was rough and the temperature dropped to 48f degrees and after drinking I lost view of my boat for about ten minutes. I headed for TO and they found me.
When you stop for nourishment during a swim during the night in rough water now that is an experiance.
Even though the stop may be for a few seconds the waves have turned you around and when you start swimming again you have to sight to see which way you have to swim. I was lucky I saw the bridge at the Hamilton Beach I new were Toronto was and headed for TO.
In the cross Lake Ontario race in 1964 half way through the night the water was rough and the temperature dropped to 48f degrees and after drinking I lost view of my boat for about ten minutes. I headed for TO and they found me.
