As an "older" female swimmer, I wondered how they come up with the time restraints in the National Championship Open Water swims.
For the 10 K race, the entry form it said "the race will end two hours after the first individual finishes. All swimmers that have not completed the course at that time will be asked to retire."
For the 1 mile race, the entry form stated "swimmers still on the course after the 60 min. time limit will be stopped and listed as DNF in the results."
By my calculations, in the 1 mile swim you would have nearly two and one half times longer than the first swimmer to complete the race, while in the 10 K race you would have less than twice as long.
I would like to see more time allowed, especially for the longer distances. I understand the push to make the day as short as possible but I feel older swimmers are disadvantaged by these restrictions. Older women, are even more disadvantaged. Perhaps more older swimmers would participate if they were not threatened with a DNF if they don't make the cut off times.
Does anyone else have a concern about the time limits in our Open Water National Championship races?
Parents
Former Member
I think the key word here is National Championship. I have swam in 5 OW races in the past 2 years. 3 last summer and 2 so far this summer. Only one of them was a "Championship" race.
I think the reason for the time limits is to keep a higher standard for the race results. as well as to keep out breaststrokers.
there are many reasons for putting a time limit on an event, just to name a few in no order of importance:
1. tides and currents change. a favorable current can easily become imposable.
2. permits. often shipping will be disrupted to facilitate an open water event.
3. volunteer fatigue. many of the people that provide safety and aid to the swimmers are volunteers and their time should not be taken for granted.
4. no time limits would encourage floaters to participate. yes, i have participated in ow swims (not races) where the stroke of choice was the conversational breaststroke ...caps and goggles replaced by sunglasses and visors.
5. swimmers that are slower can cause hazards. two events i entered this year were cancelled after the start because a large portion of the field was unable to make any progress against the currents. once boats start entering the course to start pulling people, things get dangerous.
I think the key word here is National Championship. I have swam in 5 OW races in the past 2 years. 3 last summer and 2 so far this summer. Only one of them was a "Championship" race.
I think the reason for the time limits is to keep a higher standard for the race results. as well as to keep out breaststrokers.
there are many reasons for putting a time limit on an event, just to name a few in no order of importance:
1. tides and currents change. a favorable current can easily become imposable.
2. permits. often shipping will be disrupted to facilitate an open water event.
3. volunteer fatigue. many of the people that provide safety and aid to the swimmers are volunteers and their time should not be taken for granted.
4. no time limits would encourage floaters to participate. yes, i have participated in ow swims (not races) where the stroke of choice was the conversational breaststroke ...caps and goggles replaced by sunglasses and visors.
5. swimmers that are slower can cause hazards. two events i entered this year were cancelled after the start because a large portion of the field was unable to make any progress against the currents. once boats start entering the course to start pulling people, things get dangerous.
