raves and rants, your favorite, least favorite or most interesting ow swim from 07
Former Member
Lets gather together around clutching our favorite warm drinks and discuss our recent swims! As the ow season in the USA draws towards its close some of us are already thinking about what we want to try next year, give us some suggestions! I'll lead off,
Best swim by far was 8.2 mile Pennock Island in Alaska, the water was cooler than Tahoe but the people warmer, the whole town seemed glad to see us, there was a continuous swell of camaraderie and support out welling for locals, officials and fellow competitors from start to finish and the fantastic banquet afterwards. The water and air are fantastically clear and the wildlife an added adventure. Well worth the price and it’s a fundraiser, you may even meet the people who benefit from it.
the worst swim I've ever done is the 11.5 mile (we measured it at 10 miles)trans Tahoe this year, the area seems to be all about money and many of the folks seemed downright hostile towards the swimmers, the race itself had too many chaotic churning powerboats piloted by amateurs (the fact that i was run over by 1 and my kayaker narrowly avoided a second doesn’t help my outlook). This swim was about and for the Olympic club if you're not a member..I'd skip it. In addition to the pricy entrance fee you should know you’ll need to find & pilot your own boat (which makes the power boat renters chortle) and it will cost upwards of $600 plus fuel.
Okay so what sticks in your mind, what do you reccomend for try in 2008? Short, long, warm or cool.
Parents
Former Member
In terms of pure speed, incredible endurance, tactical racing, money (i.e., medal money + sponsorship money) and global media attention (i.e., outside the U.S.), there is nothing like the FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships. The last great races were held in March in Melbourne, Australia where the female and male 5K, 10K and 25K races all came down to the final sprint - after the athletes had been swimming in large packs at tremendous pace in relatively cold water (64-68 degrees F.) and getting stung by large Australia blue blubber jellyfish. The next great race will be held in Seville, Spain in late April - early May at the 2008 FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships where the 10K race will effectively serve as the semifinal for the Olympic 10K Swimming Marathon to be held in the Olympic rowing basin on August 20th (women) and August 21st (men) 2008. For photos of what these elite athletes undergo, check out www.10Kswim.com.
In terms of pure speed, incredible endurance, tactical racing, money (i.e., medal money + sponsorship money) and global media attention (i.e., outside the U.S.), there is nothing like the FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships. The last great races were held in March in Melbourne, Australia where the female and male 5K, 10K and 25K races all came down to the final sprint - after the athletes had been swimming in large packs at tremendous pace in relatively cold water (64-68 degrees F.) and getting stung by large Australia blue blubber jellyfish. The next great race will be held in Seville, Spain in late April - early May at the 2008 FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships where the 10K race will effectively serve as the semifinal for the Olympic 10K Swimming Marathon to be held in the Olympic rowing basin on August 20th (women) and August 21st (men) 2008. For photos of what these elite athletes undergo, check out www.10Kswim.com.
