Triathalon swim deaths 2008 rising. What is going on?

Tinley in the June 08 triathlete best describes open water swims in triathlon as a "frothing mass of athletic Darwinism." Truth of the matter is that triathletes in general overestimate their swim abilities. At the start of the 2005 IM Arizona some dude pulled my leg (not love tap or caress) and then proceeded to elbow my goggles off my head. Despite no goggles for 2.3999 miles in the cryptosporodium-infested tempe town lake, I was the second age-grouper out of the water (and did not go blind); so I know this wanker did not beat me out of the water. "If you've finished the swim in good shape but have left a bloody nose and finger-nail racing stripes in your wake, have you met your expectations? Or set yourself up for a rematch with your conscience?" I know the crappy swimmers are ruining triathlons. I was at the 2002 IM Utah when there was a drowning and from then on it seems that race directors have to cancel swims with any hint of inclement weather basing their decisions on the lowest common denominator. I just hope I don't run into that guy that felt compelled to go through me rather than around me--as I might be responsible for the next death in triathlon.:blah:

Tinley in the June 08 triathlete best describes open water swims in triathlon as a "frothing mass of athletic Darwinism." Truth of the matter is that triathletes in general overestimate their swim abilities. At the start of the 2005 IM Arizona some dude pulled my leg (not love tap or caress) and then proceeded to elbow my goggles off my head. Despite no goggles for 2.3999 miles in the cryptosporodium-infested tempe town lake, I was the second age-grouper out of the water (and did not go blind); so I know this wanker did not beat me out of the water. "If you've finished the swim in good shape but have left a bloody nose and finger-nail racing stripes in your wake, have you met your expectations? Or set yourself up for a rematch with your conscience?" I know the crappy swimmers are ruining triathlons. I was at the 2002 IM Utah when there was a drowning and from then on it seems that race directors have to cancel swims with any hint of inclement weather basing their decisions on the lowest common denominator. I just hope I don't run into that guy that felt compelled to go through me rather than around me--as I might be responsible for the next death in triathlon.:blah: Also, some folks seem to get a little nutty in triathlons. Once on the swim, I cut in behind a girl and the guy I had passed was furious and pulled on my leg, pulling me under the water. Guess I had interfered with his plan to draft off of somebody the entire race. Needless to say, I kicked like mad to get out of there.

One person's death is very sad. It effects so many people. But 7 deaths compared to all the participants is very small. It is very sad that some one would die during a tri. How horrible the other swimmers must feel. I think there is a higher ratio of deaths in marathons and half marathons.

On our team we have had numerous triathletes swim with us with only one who I would suggest has improved as a swimmer. Typically, they come in at off times, put on all the toys, knock out a 500 and then bike home. The perplexing part is that we also have an open water subgroup and I can't recall ever having a triathlete swim with us since 2005. Perhaps since the swimming only accounts for 15% of the time of the entire race it's a little "underrepresented" in the training. Nevertheless, it's a shame about the fatalities. Too many triathletes have almost no OW swim experience. They practice in a pool, usually well within their comfort zone, never really getting very tired. Then in a race, they expend more energy, sometimes get a little off-course, the water can be choppy and turbid, sometimes with a strong current, and they panic. I see it all the time, even with experienced triathletes.

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. Wow, then that makes 8 US fatalities so far this year- 3 within last 8-9 days. (hmm, mid to end of July, I'm thinking heat related) No doubt that due to my posts I may come across as paranoid. The truth of the matter is it is family that have been alerting me to all these deaths. After the the first 2 deaths, I could say things like "I'm sure it's far more dangerous for me to drive within 10 miles of my home." "Yes, but out of tens of thousands of triathletes competing this year, the numbers are small." With the numbers rising, I am starting to feel like the guy who says "I will ride a street motorcycle without my helmet whether you approve or not." I get that "your selfish, what about those who care about you? Why would you put yourself at risk like that?" feeling now. They, as non-swimmers, can see there is a problem arising and I can't provide them an answer as to what USAT is doing about it. Do you see what I mean? I would much rather hear "Wow, a triathalon! That's great!" I am a divorced 38 year old. I wonder how many married swimmers or swimmers who are still under their parent's wings are getting more flack than I am.

What is going on and why are autopsys coming back "cause of death unknown." ... I don't buy "cause of death unknown" with modern day capabilities. Loch Ness Monsters... i think triathalon race directors should consider requiring entrants to submit proof of participation (and reasonable finish times) in swim events equal to or longer than the swim leg of a trithalon. its almost a joke how many triathletes can't swim to save their lives. quite literally. good idea; perhaps this is where USMS needs to step up to the plate to find these weak-swimmer tri's and tri-wannabees and get them in an OW race before they go throw themselves to the Loch Ness Monster.

It is a tragedy that these things happen, but it would be pure speculation on my part if I were to say why it is happening. Chris and Peg - I too have noticed that so many triathletes don't do much swimming and many that do practice just in the pool. I think this is where masters swim coaches can take the bull by the horns. I've coached a masters group over the last eight years that has a number of triathletes. We meet twice a week and one summer, I would have the class go out to the river one practice a week to practice open water swimming. I would have them practice swimming from point-to-point, time, etc. I think it would be a good idea for coaches to at least take "field trips" out to open water to help folks out.

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.

Loch Ness Monsters... quite literally. good idea; perhaps this is where USMS needs to step up to the plate to find these weak-swimmer tri's and tri-wannabees and get them in an OW race before they go throw themselves to the Loch Ness Monster. good idea! i think open water event organizers (usms and others) would be doing the tri-world a service if they offered more casual (non-race) events so newby swimmers and wannabe tri's can get their feet wet in the sport. another possability might be to have everyone start 10 seconds apart (fastest swim time to slowest) those ankle chips could keep everyones time in order, and there would be less chance of getting swum over.

It's funny how for those who do swimteam, it is the easiest of the 3 in a triathlon and it really isn't that much, compared to how much is to be completed in the bike and run. I didn't know there was extra deaths, that's good to know about. Haven't heard about any in Hawai`i, though we had our first shark attack of the year a few days ago. Ate a chunk of a person's arm. Not sure what happened, but she was in stable condition the day of from what I read.