What would be your dream season of ow swims?

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 13:09:18 GMT

The short answer to your question is that there are people who swim year round. There are some who live in places like Hawaii or the Carribbean which is less challenging. I'm envious of their situation. I live in the USVI (hence my Caribbean-focused dream season list). While we could all swim year round here, a lot of us actually get quite wimpy basically from Nov-Feb (i.e. right after Coral Reef/Bonaire swims) and complain that the water is "too cold". (obviously we don't use wetsuits here) I used to live in San Diego but now I'm spoiled and I have so much respect for the La Jolla Cove swimmers!!! One day I'll be back and wonder why I thought the high 70s in the Caribbean winter was chilly! :laugh2: I'm going to try to keep my swimming consistent this winter though. If anyone's going to be down here this winter, let me know and we can organize a good swim! watergrrl

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:04:06 GMT

The short answer to your question is that there are people who swim year round. There are some who live in places like Hawaii or the Carribbean which is less challenging. I'm envious of their situation. The real impressive folks are in San Francisco and La Jolla--the Dolphin Club and South End Rowing Club in the Bay both have a large number of year round swimmers. The La Jolla Cove Swim Club also has a large number of year-rounders. It seems like many of them are several days a week swimmers year round but I'm not sure of all the specifics. In La jolla there are a number of groups that swim daily, the most impressive to me are the dawn patrol hitting the water as the sun rises or just before in winter. Typically there are groups at 7am, 8am and 9ish many daily others every other day and some weekends only, yes I am one of them but not the dawn patrol! The club has monthly themed events too.

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 05:29:33 GMT

One mile Ocean swims three times a week at second beach in Newport RI, with 10 swimming buddies, from June 15 through October 15. I don't think there are enough people out there who have experienced the enjoyment of a regular ocean swim, and the waters at Newport RI are close to where I work, and are especially warm and clean for this area. Does anyone out there swim in open water all year round, even when the water gets cold? My dream swim is to swim all year round in open water. I swim in Seattle in Lake Washington; the last time I swam, just the other day, the water was 63 degrees with no wet suit. I'm trying to swim every day as the water temp. plunges? Has anyone does my dream swim all year round somewhere?

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

beireland — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 01:32:37 GMT

The short answer to your question is that there are people who swim year round. There are some who live in places like Hawaii or the Carribbean which is less challenging. I'm envious of their situation. The real impressive folks are in San Francisco and La Jolla--the Dolphin Club and South End Rowing Club in the Bay both have a large number of year round swimmers. The La Jolla Cove Swim Club also has a large number of year-rounders. It seems like many of them are several days a week swimmers year round but I'm not sure of all the specifics. Friends of mine and I have swum in the LA waters year round but more as a once a month just to say we have done it sort of thing but not regularly. I don't know how cold you can go without a wetsuit. I think into the low 50s is doable for most people if they keep doing it regularly as the temperature drops to acclimate. I have no idea how cold Lake Washington gets but I suspect colder than 50. Ironically, I remember reading in a book about swimming and/or the ocean, that in the 19th Century, swimming for exercise started as a health restorative to be done in very cold water. I think it was a winter sport not a summer sport for that reason. I'm sure they felt much healthier when they got out of the water.

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 09:06:09 GMT

You could always fly south for the winter instead of dreaming. There are lots of swims in Australia over the comming months. Here's some of the ones on offer: www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au/ www.thebloodybigswim.com/ http://www.thebigswim.org.au/ http://www.coleclassic.com/ www.sydneyharbourswim.com/ www.lornesurfclub.com.au/Photo :drink:

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 12:39:25 GMT

mike, your RI swims sound great. Last sunday I had the pleasure of swimming with CIBBOWS (coney island brighton beach open water swimmers). It was a rainy morning, but still a good dozen people showed up for a 5k loop in the 65 degree ocean. The sun poped out about two thirds through the swim. I will be making the two and a half hour drive to join them again this Sunday. I beleive they will continue until Thanksgiving......brrrrrrrrr.(i however, will not)

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

MikeGarr — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 05:49:21 GMT

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

beireland — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 08:27:30 GMT

Very interesting lists. In a perfect year, I would want to do all of Randy's list--specify the Elk Lake Swims in Bend for his non-specific Oregon swims--its unbelievably gorgeous, snow topped mountains, great little town, friendly welcoming swimmers and a unique format with 5 events in 3 days. For Big City swims, I would add Big Shoulders in Chicago. Any reason to go to Chicago is a good one and its a classic race with a loop course, visible skyline during the swim. In Hawaii, I would add the Waikiki Roughwater to the Labor Day duo with the Maui Channel Swim. What are the dream season swims that people haven't done? I seem to have a very conflicted personality because the two domestic(more or less) swims I would like to do that I haven't done are the Bonaire Swim and the Pennock Island swim.

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:11:39 GMT

this thread has come full circle.

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 12:18:44 GMT

One less welcome memory is the 3 weeks of dysentery I suffered after swimming MIMS this year. It rained heavily throughout and the water was "compromised" in the words of the race director just before he sent us off. Still, I'll do it again. 3 weeks? Wow! I only had it for three days, but it was a *memorable* 3 days. I can't imagine what it was like for people who might have been caught on a plane when it hit. True story: After the race, while driving home on Sunday, I wasn't feeling too well and my wife was driving and got pulled over for speeding. As the cop started to bawl my wife out, I leaned out the passenger door and let loose - violently. The cop was so grossed out, he basically gave her a 2 second warning, jumped in his car and sped off. At least it was good for something. -LBJ

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 13:52:32 GMT

5) Manhattan Island Marathon -backstroke under the Brooklyn Bridge. Randy, As the MIM swim is timed to take advantage of the currents, the east river portion goes by at a quick pace and minutes after the Brooklyn Bridge, you will have the opportunity to swim backstroke under the Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge. It is almost a spiritual experience whenever i am fortunate enough to swim in the shadows of such powerful and graceful structures. The Manhattan Island Foundation has a swim across the Brooklyn Bridge. www.swimnyc.org CIBBOWS has a swim across the Verrazano. www.cibbows.org (the list keeps growing)

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

info@randynutt.com — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 10:13:14 GMT

“It is almost a spiritual experience whenever i am fortunate enough to swim in the shadows of such powerful and graceful structures.” - chaos@ulster.net Yes, in ’96 I swam the Manhattan Marathon and while not a backstroker I did turn over and swam backstroke under the bridge – had to take it all in! I also remember swimming, and body surfing!, past the UN, Yankee Stadium, the big C…the little red lighthouse….and using the trade center towers as a guide for the finish…..was a great experience. The foundation does a wonderful job with all of their races. You brought up the CIBBOWS events –I have heard great things about them as well and look forward to swimming some of them in the future – one of their members, Patricia Sener, is the official photographer for my events. You are correct…the list keeps growing…..

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 16:28:26 GMT

My number one dream swim is to complete and conquer the Key West around the island swim! I know the race for this year is sanctioned and you can visit the website www.annualswimaroundkeywest.com. My second dream swim is swimming in the best waters in the Carribbean with the Bonair Eco Swim!:p

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 05:16:04 GMT

Ahhhhhh, BONAIRE!!! I'll be returning again this year! I've done the St. Croix swim 4 years (got 4 bracelets to prove it!) and loved it. But the last year I swam there we got smacked around big time by some ruthless currents. So I made the switch to a gentler swim...6.2 miles in calmer water. Either swim is a dream come true. I suggest everyone try them both!!!

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

info@randynutt.com — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 04:43:59 GMT

Very tough to create a top ten open water event list with so many great swims out there. Most on the USMS calendar are worthy for different reasons. Here are some events I’d do again or want to do…..I like Terry’s idea of a never ending season.....with that in mind there is still time for swimmers to enter the two Caribbean swims on this list! 1) Alcatraz -without a wetsuit, just to know I could escape. 2) Bonaire EcoSwim – world famous reefs in the clearest waters of the Caribbean. 3) La Jolla Roughwater – sheer numbers and great town make this exciting. 4) Maui – sunrise on Haleakala. 5) Manhattan Island Marathon -backstroke under the Brooklyn Bridge. 6) Something in Oregon – surrounded by beauty. 7) St Croix – Buck Island, for best experience stay at The Buccaneer. 8) Swim Around Key West – conch chowder and Duvall Street post event. 9) Tampa Bay Marathon –toughest swim in the US, maybe anywhere. 10) Trans Tahoe Relay – gotta go where the Olympic Club goes.

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 06:44:32 GMT

The Bonaire Ecoswim in the Caribbean is ABSOLUTELY the most scenic and should be on your open water race list. They offer a 1 Mile, a 5K and a 10K. One year during the 10K, a pod of Dolphins joined us for part of the swim. It was an experience I will never forget! People are very friendly and there is a variety of good restaurants on the island. Some of the social activities included snorkeling and diving as well as a scooter trip to the inland sites. Met lots of new swimmer friends there. The Ecoswim is held every year in either October or November. :)

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 05:22:02 GMT

I love watergrl's list, I think some of those must go on the "to do list" I was musing on alternating cold and warm swims-Trans Tahoe and Pennock Island Challenge plus Maui and Coral Reef? What about the most scenic swims. THe 10 mile La Jolla Cove ADA swim was pretty but monotonous with the 10 laps.

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:08:29 GMT

one thing i dream about is having a chauffer to drive me to each event (spouse not quite up for waking at 4 am and then driving me 2 - 4 hours to take a dip, though she did accompany me to most of the 13 events i participated in this season) certainly, this past season came close to "dream status" for me. it started with the manhattan marathon on june 14 and finished with fanny's return on sept. 17. thats a good four months! i will try to extend it a bit in both directions next year. for me, i would like to combine a busy racing shedule with some other ambitious swims. stand by for a proposed 2007 shedule!

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 08:41:06 GMT

I would add to the list the Trans Tahoe Relay.

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Former Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 05:47:41 GMT

Oh I have a really specific dream season. It's all about location, location, location..... I'm doing 3 of these this year, hopefully 4 or 5 next year! -watergrrl 1. Start out in February with the Magen's Bay .667 Race againsT the Tide, swim against *** Cancer on St. Thomas, USVI 2. St. Kitts - Nevis Channel swim - March 10, 2007 (2.5 miles) 3. Grenana cross-harbour swim - not sure how clear the water would be there, but seems like a neat place to visit! (around a mile?) 4. Beach to Beach Power Swim on St. John, USVI ~ May 27, 2007 (1, 2.4, or 3.5 miles) 5. Key West Swim - June (?) 6. Grand Cayman 1 mile swim - June 16, 2007 7. Dominica Dive Fest swim race ~ 4th of july week or so (not sure it really happens, might just be a rumor....) 8. Bahamas One Mile fun Swim - early sept 9. Coral Reef Swim on St. Croix (5 miles) 10. Bonaire Ecoswim (10k) 11. Cayman Islands Pirate Week 5k swim - sometime in october

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

fatboy — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 04:22:24 GMT

Watergrrl, It would be hard to beat your dream list. How did you miss the Maui Channel Swim? www.mauichannelswim.com/

RE: What would be your dream season of ow swims?

Jim Clemmons — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 08:10:39 GMT

Swims with water temps between 75 and 85 degrees F. Not much else to care about.