I am a first year swimmer (Of the older kind) and I have committed myself to a 1 mile open water swim on July 20th.
My pool workouts have gone up to 3500 yards so the distance itself is not the big deal. The problem is that I get nervous when I am in open water for no particular reason. (Actually, I am fine if I wear a snorkel, but I need to get weaned off of that.)
I am looking for a kind and gentle soul to swim (or paddle) with me to the quarter-mile buoy and back. I am swimming about a 36 minute mile. (That shouldn't exclude many people!) I need to get used to the sensation of being out there, and I need to learn the basics of staying on course, and other errata.
Any help or suggestions will be eternally apprciated,
thanks,
Former Member
Thanks again for the input...I think I will stick with spit. On friday, I will aim for the half-mile buoy...
I always let the lifeguard @ the Cove know where I`m going ( usually the B Buoy ), and I wear a white long sleeved rash guard and a bright yellow cap,...I stick out like a sore thumb. I usually swim alone and letting the lifeguard know where I`m going gives me an extra measure of confidence. Also,..with the white top,..I don`t look like a seal %^). Friday I`m swimming in the Coronado Rough Water Swim and Saturday afternoon after work I hope to be at the Cove,...around 4:30-5:00. Perhaps we will swim into each other some time.
Glad you found your way this morning, even if it was crowded.
The only way I'm able to keep on track is to just try to keep my eye on the buildings at the opposite shore. Still, with the swells and tides, I still veer off course--just counts for extra mileage!
If this morning was anything like Thursday, the tide is low, which makes for difficult entrances and exits. I was tripping all over the rocks Thursday, while Husband went in fine, just 2 yards over.
And kelp? The bane of my existence.
The "A" buoy is the one straight out from the beach by the kelp beds. The first "white" buoy is 1/4 mile, the second is 1/2 mile. I don't usually look at the buoys as I'm trying to navigate, but if I recall correctly, the distance is written on them...Ron?
No distances written on the buoys,..if you go to the ( I, for the life of me cannot figure out how to cut and paste ) the La Jolla Cove Swim Club web site and then navigate your way to the "Tour of the Buoys" event Aug. 3, you will see a great map of the buoys.
This morning the 50th annual Coronado Rough Water Swim was cancelled,...the frog enveloped everything,..you could not see more than a hundred yards,....so my wife and I went directly to the Old Town Cafe in Old Town and devoured a great Mexican meal and a few Dos Equis. :^)
Tomorrow around 4ish I`m going to swim and I`m looking for a partner to swim from the Cove to La Jolla Shores,..it`s about a mile,..a casual swim,,...40 minutes.
Ron %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%><>
No such luck sighting the shore this morning...I could barely see the cove...I got unsettled for a bit but managed not to drown. I definately want to do the tour of the buoys.
BTW, the second buoy definately had a nice clear "1/2" on it...gave me a feeling of accomplishment...I've been looking speculatively at that thing from a distance for almost 30 years.
Well...to the half-mile buoy and back this morning! Yes Anita, it was a mess this AM, even at 6:30 I had to hunt for a spot.
I seriously need to work on my navigation and on goggle maitenance. I was headed to the Aleutians at one point. There was a fog and I couldn't see the shores. I kept having to stop and lift my goggles...maybe I will try the toothpaste...non-mint. I finshed dead on 40 minutes but felt I could have done 34 if I could just swim...well I guess that is the open water experience. When I do the relay, I hope I can follow someone who both knows what they are doing and isn't too fast for me...probably a small set of people.
I also need to practice kelp avoidance...what a pain in the...
P.S. Does A Buoy = 1/4 mile
B Buoy = 1/2 mile?
I need to learn the jargon.
I also need to learn the dismount. I have done 3 swims now, I have stumbled around and fallen repeatedly, as if I had just swum the north atlantic...very embarrasing...and I stubbed a toe being washed onto a rock.
