Why don't they have more open water meets?

Not sure about your area, but over here in Sweden, the biggest reason we do not have more Open water races, is volunteers. It's not easy getting enough people together to plan the race and work the race. Maybe it's harder to find sponsers for swimming events, since almost anyone can put on a pair of shoes and run/walk a road race. There has been a OW race in stockholm for the past 31 years and this year it has been cancelled, because the local team could not find anyone to take charge. It was a small race in terms of number of competitors, but it was a fun 3200m race around the Capital of Sweden.

I did find one in Cincinatti called the Great Ohio River Swim. It's only about 1/2 mile. The website is: One World Triathlon, Cincincatti. That's on June 28, in 2 weeks. It might conflict with one of the Columbus swims. There also might be some in Louisville or Indianapolis. Are they too far? JIM

I did find one in Cincinatti called the Great Ohio River Swim. It's only about 1/2 mile. The website is: One World Triathlon, Cincincatti. That's on June 28, in 2 weeks. It might conflict with one of the Columbus swims. There also might be some in Louisville or Indianapolis. Are they too far? JIM Thanks for the info! Sounds like a nice swim:) I can't do that swim though because I have a swim meet in cleveland (which actually is another open water event!) the same day. No, I don't think Louisville or Indianapolis would be too far. Are there any good swims there?

I found one from the Y but it looks the open water swim already took place for 2008 and I couldn't see when. But here's the link: Louisville You just missed the Huntington Mile and 5k Swim in Huntington, IN (near FOrt Wayne). Here's the websbsite: Huntington Mile. There's also a swim near Indianapolis in Noblesville IN. It's a 25K (long) or 5k x 5k. But if they have this one, they might have more open water swims. And as you know, there's the Lake Erie swim in July. I'll probably be in the area then so I'm going to try to do that one. So you see, Amy, there are swims around. Sometimes it's just a matter of seeking them out. Good luck! JIM

Thanks for all the info! Those swims all seem really awesome. Too bad I missed them:sad:I will definatly look into that Hunginton mile swim. That is so awesome that you can swim both the mile and the 5K in that swim:wiggle: If only it were a week later...When is the swim in Noblesville IN by the way? :dunno:

What part of Ohio do you live in? There are several places you could do searches to try to find some OW racing. JIM

I live near Dayton. I heard of two events taking place this year in Columbus, but that is all I know of.

The swim in Noblesville is on July 19 and is listed under the Great Lakes Zone at USMS. The link is: GREAT LAKES JIM

Another thought if you are Jones-ing for an open water swim: Offer to do the swim leg for triathlon relays. Of the three legs, tri-relay participants usually have the hardest time finding a swimmer. -LBJ

There is defiantely a lot more OWS than I realized! I will definatly look into the 5 X 5K relay swim in Indiana and all the other ideas too. Just out of curiosity, are there any swims around Ohio and the surrounding areas about a 10K in length. I think a 10K would be the perfect challenge! Just long enough to feel like I accomplished something, but not so long I woldn't be able to finsh. Thanks for all your swim ideas so far. They have been really helpful:agree: