Triathalon swim deaths 2008 rising. What is going on?

Besides the death in Idaho, another triathlete died this weekend during the swim portion of the New Jersey State Triathlon. They have not yet recovered his body. It was a 1/4 mile swim and in a lake. My mother, who is afraid of my crossing the street.....true, was all up in arms about it and I tried to somewhat explain the reasons for the rise in the death tolls. I agree there are more people doing tris which would mean a rise in incidents just in numbers alone. I also agree that the swim does not really get the attention of tri folks--at least I get a lot of crap because most of my training is for the swim portion--why, because I like it most. Someone above said a very true statement--500 yds and they are out of there. I see it all the time. I do not want to generalize about the experience of some, because some of these guys appeared to be well trained. BUT, I saw some videos of the swim portion of the NYC tri...some men were on their backs doing the *** stroke kick with their legs while on their backs. It was very hot and some guys had their wet suits open in the back to let water in while swimming. I saw many men *** stroking and gasping for air. I was disturbed by it. I have many friends who are seasoned masters swimmers and who compete in many races in the Hudson...from what I hear about the current from them, the Hudson is no place to "get your feet wet" for open water swimming. I hate getting hit during a tri, wear contacts, have lost my goggles during the swim due to a kick or a punch. So I stick to the outside where no one touches me. Is it longer--sometimes, I guess, but it beats getting hit in the face. I think in a tri the mentality is to go out hard and strong in the front rather than finding your spot and pace. For me, it took only once to do that and I learned. I think it is a good idea if they ask swimmers for their experience for certain swims. The manhattan island swim foundation does it for open water swims in the Hudson, they then is it not required to do the NYC tri.....I do the danskin triathlon every year which is geared for newbies. One year the winds were so bad that the swim was truly horrific. I saw so, so many women clinging to the bouys waiting for help. Fortunately, that race is well covered and they know they have newbies so it is stocked with aid and also swim angels to swim with you and help you should you need it. I do not know how they would do it otherwise. It is truly sad to hear these stories and I hope in the haste to get more entires in, that safety is not taking a back seat. My thoughts and prayers to the families of those athletes.

Besides the death in Idaho, another triathlete died this weekend during the swim portion of the New Jersey State Triathlon. They have not yet recovered his body. It was a 1/4 mile swim and in a lake. My mother, who is afraid of my crossing the street.....true, was all up in arms about it and I tried to somewhat explain the reasons for the rise in the death tolls. I agree there are more people doing tris which would mean a rise in incidents just in numbers alone. I also agree that the swim does not really get the attention of tri folks--at least I get a lot of crap because most of my training is for the swim portion--why, because I like it most. Someone above said a very true statement--500 yds and they are out of there. I see it all the time. I do not want to generalize about the experience of some, because some of these guys appeared to be well trained. BUT, I saw some videos of the swim portion of the NYC tri...some men were on their backs doing the *** stroke kick with their legs while on their backs. It was very hot and some guys had their wet suits open in the back to let water in while swimming. I saw many men *** stroking and gasping for air. I was disturbed by it. I have many friends who are seasoned masters swimmers and who compete in many races in the Hudson...from what I hear about the current from them, the Hudson is no place to "get your feet wet" for open water swimming. I hate getting hit during a tri, wear contacts, have lost my goggles during the swim due to a kick or a punch. So I stick to the outside where no one touches me. Is it longer--sometimes, I guess, but it beats getting hit in the face. I think in a tri the mentality is to go out hard and strong in the front rather than finding your spot and pace. For me, it took only once to do that and I learned. I think it is a good idea if they ask swimmers for their experience for certain swims. The manhattan island swim foundation does it for open water swims in the Hudson, they then is it not required to do the NYC tri.....I do the danskin triathlon every year which is geared for newbies. One year the winds were so bad that the swim was truly horrific. I saw so, so many women clinging to the bouys waiting for help. Fortunately, that race is well covered and they know they have newbies so it is stocked with aid and also swim angels to swim with you and help you should you need it. I do not know how they would do it otherwise. It is truly sad to hear these stories and I hope in the haste to get more entires in, that safety is not taking a back seat. My thoughts and prayers to the families of those athletes.