Hi all,
I'm looking to try an ow event when the warmer weather rolls around. This would be my first so I'm looking for something kind of newb friendly, maybe in the 1 - 2 mile range. I live in the philadelphia area so I'm convenient to NJ, DE, MD, NY.
I've been poking around the net looking for this but apparently not in the right places. Can anybody reccomend a race or point out a website that has details on lots of them?
Thanks
Tim,
The northern jellyfish tend be less painful than the warm water variety.
As for what happened when you get stung during an open water swim, my typical reaction is a few choice words, continue swimming and rub the sting with meat tenderized once I get out.
I'll do that. I always loved being out on the water, but it was generally on a boat. I can't wait to try this! Once my shoulder heals up anyway.
I have a jellyfish question though - up here in the northeast I've gotten stung by lots of jellyfish that left me itchy, but once in Florida I was left lying on the beach in lots of pain after body surfing over a nasty one. Do we get those up here in the northeast? What happens if you get stung like that on an OW swim? I'm too ugly for a shark, but jellyfish have no taste.
If you want to start off with a bay, rather than an ocean swim, here are a couple that I've done and liked--web sites don't show next year's swims, but at least you can get the contact info:
Rainbow Channel Challenge--you can choose btw a 2.6 and a 1 mile swim, and this isn't too far outside Philly (took my bf and me only a little over an hour by car). I don't know what the longer swim is like, but the shorter one is an out and back course, going out against the current, back with it (what a treat after all the work!). I LOVE the beach towels they give out... very good quality, and I still use mine proudly: www.rainbowchannelchallenge.com/
September Splash: Also offers a choice--one or two miles. This was my very first open water swim, and the volunteers were wonderful to me, very encouraging and helpful. I've done it twice and have liked it both times: www.lmsports.com/splash.htm
Good luck and enjoy!
A few more suggestions for the Atlantic City area:
1) Bridge-to-Bridge: They have 1.3 mile and 5 km swims. Great course in the bay. Usually around the first week in July.
2) Pageant swim: 1.5 miles in the ocean. This is a bit rougher than the others, but if you feel up to it, it's fun. Usually first week in Sept.
3) Yates swim - one mile with a strong current behind you.
For something different: Allentown, PA: Lehigh river races (1 & 2 mile, but they are a bit short.) Get your butt kicked by 11 year old kids. With the current in the Lehigh River. Get a good map to get to the start - it can be hard to find. Usually in July.
-LBJ
