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.
Former Member
A few years ago, I swam with my friend Dave Thomson on Haloween in Lake WA, here in Seattle (it was a saturday, as I recall). I remember being chilled to the bone when we got out.
After a great summer of OW training swims this summer of 2007, a few weeks ago (its Nov 2 today) I jokingly mentioned that we should try to do a swim in November this year, to beat our prior record. Dave never let me off the hook. I kept saying "sure, if the weather is nice".
We did our usual 1.2 or so miles each way at lunchtime on Tuesday this week in beautiful sunny weather as a test swim. No problem, but it was only October 30. I did decide to get a neoprene cap though.
The weather the rest of the week has been colder. Thick frost on my car this morning. Lots of marine fog in Seattle today. But it all burned off and the weather was great, so we made a break for it.
The water temp has definitely dropped a few degrees this week. It was probably 58 degrees or less. I was fine on the way out. On the way back, after our usual rest break at a beach, my left hand started increasingly losing fine motor control, but I kept going. My left arm stroke was less efficient, but not too bad. Dave's wetsuit unzipped (brrrrrrrrr) partway, and we had to get him rezipped. My core body was very comfortable after the first few minutes, but my hands and feet were not functioning properly at the end, although not in any discomfort. My feet are still not quite up to normal body temp at 4pm.
But we DID IT. Not a bad way to take a lunchbreak.
The water temp has definitely dropped a few degrees this week. It was probably 58 degrees or less. I was fine on the way out. On the way back, after our usual rest break at a beach, my left hand started increasingly losing fine motor control, but I kept going. My left arm stroke was less efficient, but not too bad.
I think this is bad. Cold blood is going back from left arm and hand to the heart. Irregular heart rhythms, and suddenly you have to be pulled from the water. Glad you survived.
Regards, VB
I appreciate your concern for my safety. I'm not suggesting that anyone swim when they are unaware of or uncomfortable with the associated risks. I admit we were pushing the envelope, but we did so gradually and with care.
It seems like a good time to get more familiar with hypothermia though...
I was definitely heading in the direction of stage 1 hypothermia, if not there already. Looking at Wikipedia regarding symptoms of hypothermia: while one of my hands was going numb, my core body temperature felt normal, I experienced no shivering, my breathing was normal, I had no goosebumps. I was still able to ball my hand into a fist, so the muscles were still working.
Hypothermia.org indicates that "Continued cooling if not arrested, can lead to ventricular fibrillation of the heart...thermally stabilizing a patient is necessary to prevent cardiac complications."
I contend that my core temperature was normal, so these cardiac risks were not present, but would have been introduced if I had started to lose core body temperature, which would have happened if I continued much longer.
Good stuff to know.
Sorry; didn't mean to be overbearing/intrusive.
I have known two experienced swimmers who were overcome by hypothermia in deep water. For myself, a number or tingling left hand is a big caution sign. Glad you were OK.
Regards,
VB
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.
My favorite open water swims are first & foremost any venue that does not have skanky water. That said I have been a veritable open water tourist over the years, am 56 & have swam in dozens of swims over a wide geographic area & experienced the good, the bad & the ugly.
Here are my personal favorites in decending order:
1. Bonaire Eco-swim:fish2:
2. Bermuda Round the Sound Swimathon:fish2:
3. St. Croix 5 mile:fish2:
4. La Jolla Cove Tour of Buoys:fish2:
5. Ed Gaw Memorial Amelia Island FL 5K:fish2:
6. Pensacola Bay FL Swim:fish2:
7. Big Shoulders:fish2:
8. Chesapeake Bay Bridge :fish2:
9. X men 5 mile Wrightsville Beach NC:fish2:
10. Trans Tahoe Relay:fish2:
Each one of the swims has its own unique identity & all are generally well run affairs.
A couple of events that have captured my eye & may be on the list for this coming season are the 12 mile Alaskan swim, Little Red Light House swim in NYC, St. John's V.I. 5K.
Finally, there was an event that popped up on Active.com this past summer that was for a swim & beach run in Santa Cruz where one runs the beach between points & then swims around the points, total distance 5 miles. Don't know the name or any contact info, maybe they will have it again this coming year & it will be listed again.
Last Sunday afternoon I swam around the San Simeon Pier by Hearst Castle. The water was very cold,..but exhilerating,..the view as incredible. I have a dream of swimming around all of the piers on the California coast.
Last Sunday afternoon I swam around the San Simeon Pier by Hearst Castle. The water was very cold,..but exhilerating,..the view as incredible. I have a dream of swimming around all of the piers on the California coast.
That sounds like a challenge worthy of the effort! And a write-up in the mag as you progress!
Do you have pictures of the San Simeon Pier?
Regards, VB
