670 contestants participated in today's Big Shoulders 2.5K and 5k Open Water Long Distance Swim Classic in Lake Michigan. Water temperature was a balmy 72 degrees. Sunny skies produced air temperatures in the mid-seventies.
As usual, Chicago Masters did a super job of organizing this event. Results were available very promptly at the conclusion - love that electronic timing! If past performance is any guide, they'll be posting the results for your viewing pleasure at www.bigshoulders.org in a very timely fashion.
This is a challenging and fun event and worth of consideration by any serious OW swimmer even when it isn't the national championship.
Thank you Chicago Masters for a job well done!
If I had known I was going to place 4th in my age group, I would have kneecapped knelson to move into the top 3. :dedhorse:
This was likely the combined effects of the direction of the wind/waves off the lake, as well as the breakwater.
Anyone out there that swims the Ohio St. beach regularly? Is this a common phenomenon?
There were two factors that made the "current" more obvious. The turnpoint was a lot closer to the wall, compared to other years I've swam. Some people always hug the wall for the surge assist, but had to swim a little extra distance to get to the wall; not so this year. The water also seems shallower than I remember. While I could always stand up for most of the last leg, it seems to be chest-high (or shallower) instead of chin-high. I would think this would increase the wave action.
If I had known I was going to place 4th in my age group, I would have kneecapped knelson to move into the top 3. :dedhorse:
This was likely the combined effects of the direction of the wind/waves off the lake, as well as the breakwater.
Anyone out there that swims the Ohio St. beach regularly? Is this a common phenomenon?
There were two factors that made the "current" more obvious. The turnpoint was a lot closer to the wall, compared to other years I've swam. Some people always hug the wall for the surge assist, but had to swim a little extra distance to get to the wall; not so this year. The water also seems shallower than I remember. While I could always stand up for most of the last leg, it seems to be chest-high (or shallower) instead of chin-high. I would think this would increase the wave action.
