Hi folks,
I'm thinking of trying some more open water swims this coming summer. Last summer, I did the Plunge for Patients in Wildwood, NJ (which took a lot of my available courage b/c of swimming through breakers, but I was glad I did it!), the Rainbow Channel Challenge in Somers Point, NJ--a nice mile bay swim (there was also a 2something mile swim, but I didn't feel ready for that), and (as part of an aquathlon) a 1/4 mile lake swim. Oddly, the lake swim made me more nervous than the bay swim b/c there were so many rusty pilings under the surface... I stayed on the deep side for most of the swim, then as soon as my hand touched one of the pilings during a stroke, I walked to shore, rather than risk scraping myself again.
I'd do any of these events again, but looking around for other possibilities as well.
I noticed this in my search:
www.nycswim.org/.../Event.aspx
It's a half mile "Cove to Cove" swim off Manhattan. I realize a half mile is not much, but I have no experience swimming near there, and if I tried one of the featured races, I'd want to get a feel for what it's like before doing a longer swim.
I'm in the Philly area, and travel will depend on available time/money... preferably would be good to find swims fairly nearby, but NYC isn't out of the question.
Thanks for any ideas!
Parents
Former Member
The Hudson River races (like the Cove-to-Cove) tend to be deceptive because you are swimming with the current and that makes the race shorter, time-wise. So the half-mile might actually take the time it normally takes you to swim 1/4 or 1/3 mile - it will be fun, but quick.
Suggestions:
1) The Bridge-to-Bridge race (Atlantic City, NJ) in early July is excellent. They have 5k and a 1.3 mile events. The 5k is an out-and-back and the 1.3 is a straight swim. This is in the back bay, so no fighting the surf, etc.
2) Swim For Life - Chestertown, MD - They have 1,2,3,4,5 mile races. Very pretty setting & great post-race feed. Entry fee is steep ($100), but it's for a good cause.
3) Lehigh River Swim - Allentown, PA - a 1 and 2 mile swim in the Lehigh River. With the current, so they are easier than you'd expect. Lots of age group kids who kick your butt royally.
4) The 1 mile YATES inlet swim (Atlantic City, NJ) in August is a fun race because you are riding a roaring incoming tide - probably the fastest mile you'll ever swim.
5) If you are feeling brave, try the 1.5 mile Pageant Swim (Atlantic City) in early September. This has it all - surf, current, jellyfish, but is still do-able. As a bonus, at one point you are about 1/4 mile off-shore, but it looks like you are miles out.
To get more info, go to www.dvmasters.org and download the winter Lane Lines newsletter. This has Delia Perez's schedule of open water races in our area.
-LBJ
The Hudson River races (like the Cove-to-Cove) tend to be deceptive because you are swimming with the current and that makes the race shorter, time-wise. So the half-mile might actually take the time it normally takes you to swim 1/4 or 1/3 mile - it will be fun, but quick.
Suggestions:
1) The Bridge-to-Bridge race (Atlantic City, NJ) in early July is excellent. They have 5k and a 1.3 mile events. The 5k is an out-and-back and the 1.3 is a straight swim. This is in the back bay, so no fighting the surf, etc.
2) Swim For Life - Chestertown, MD - They have 1,2,3,4,5 mile races. Very pretty setting & great post-race feed. Entry fee is steep ($100), but it's for a good cause.
3) Lehigh River Swim - Allentown, PA - a 1 and 2 mile swim in the Lehigh River. With the current, so they are easier than you'd expect. Lots of age group kids who kick your butt royally.
4) The 1 mile YATES inlet swim (Atlantic City, NJ) in August is a fun race because you are riding a roaring incoming tide - probably the fastest mile you'll ever swim.
5) If you are feeling brave, try the 1.5 mile Pageant Swim (Atlantic City) in early September. This has it all - surf, current, jellyfish, but is still do-able. As a bonus, at one point you are about 1/4 mile off-shore, but it looks like you are miles out.
To get more info, go to www.dvmasters.org and download the winter Lane Lines newsletter. This has Delia Perez's schedule of open water races in our area.
-LBJ
