I love to swim in places where I can see the bottom. So, I don't mind snorkeling in the Caribbean, but I can't seem to get excited about open swimming in other places.
I'm not trying to be controversial here, I was just wondering what is it about OW that you like, beyond the obvious reasons such as not confined to a pool/lane, it is outside, no flip turns, etc.
Susan - I don't view your question as controversial. And, I think you listed all the reasons why I love open water swimming: it's liberating, exhilerating, not monotonous and there's no chlorine.
In addition, swimming in San Francisco Bay and from Alcatraz throws in another whole dimension of reading the currents, sighting, swimming in the wind and chop and generally getting to know Mother Ocean very intimately.
There's an element of risk and it's inherently dangerous but we always have a piloted zodiac along in case of emergency.
I guess these are the same reasons that a lot of people prefer trail running to running on a treadmill or biking versus a Life Cycle.
Different strokes for different folks.
Susan - I don't view your question as controversial. And, I think you listed all the reasons why I love open water swimming: it's liberating, exhilerating, not monotonous and there's no chlorine.
In addition, swimming in San Francisco Bay and from Alcatraz throws in another whole dimension of reading the currents, sighting, swimming in the wind and chop and generally getting to know Mother Ocean very intimately.
There's an element of risk and it's inherently dangerous but we always have a piloted zodiac along in case of emergency.
I guess these are the same reasons that a lot of people prefer trail running to running on a treadmill or biking versus a Life Cycle.
Different strokes for different folks.
