Just had to share: Last nite went to a local lake that I swim in occassionally. Smaller lake, 730 yards from one end to the other (GPS is great). As I was getting ready to go, a local Tri-guy was finishing his swim. I noticed that he was wearing a wet suit. Water temperature was about 81 degrees! I say," isn't it a little warm for a wet suit?" (I would be smothering), he says "Well, there are a couple of cold patches out there!" (probably gets down all the way to 80 degrees for 30 seconds) LOL.
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Former Member
Ok let's take a step back. I love open water swimming and people who are involved in the sport, but frankly the worst violation of open water rules and custom was in an USMS 5K open water race. I was drafting behind someone and when someone was coming up on my left I picked up my pace using the wake of the swimmer in front of me to sling shot me past her and stay with the passing swimmer. I admit I did touch her feet a few times over the previous 100 yds. but it was purely incidental contact. I made NO other physical contact with her. As I passed her she intentionally ran her nails down my back and then grabbed my suit. This is a clear violation of USMS Open Water Rule 303.8.1 & 303.8.10 which is a manditory disqualification. Because this swim was under USMS rules (versus the anything goes in many open water swims) I did not retaliate. Frankly it was also because she was a woman. In any other situation she would have gotten a strong kick to her shoulder.So I gave her a loud & strong verbal warning and then dusted her.
What was remarkable is that she sat down 5 feet away and started complaining to friend that someone got too pushy so she intentionally scratched him and tried to pull down his suit. I don't think that happened to 2 people in the same race. Clearly she did not know the rules, her statement would have been an automatic disqualification if brought to the meet director's attention. But I said nothing, she was just was an inexperienced open water swimmer that should stay in the pool.
My point is that not all open water swimmers play by the rules, and the occasional one (as some triatheletes) is a jerk who should stay out of the sport.
Ok let's take a step back. I love open water swimming and people who are involved in the sport, but frankly the worst violation of open water rules and custom was in an USMS 5K open water race. I was drafting behind someone and when someone was coming up on my left I picked up my pace using the wake of the swimmer in front of me to sling shot me past her and stay with the passing swimmer. I admit I did touch her feet a few times over the previous 100 yds. but it was purely incidental contact. I made NO other physical contact with her. As I passed her she intentionally ran her nails down my back and then grabbed my suit. This is a clear violation of USMS Open Water Rule 303.8.1 & 303.8.10 which is a manditory disqualification. Because this swim was under USMS rules (versus the anything goes in many open water swims) I did not retaliate. Frankly it was also because she was a woman. In any other situation she would have gotten a strong kick to her shoulder.So I gave her a loud & strong verbal warning and then dusted her.
What was remarkable is that she sat down 5 feet away and started complaining to friend that someone got too pushy so she intentionally scratched him and tried to pull down his suit. I don't think that happened to 2 people in the same race. Clearly she did not know the rules, her statement would have been an automatic disqualification if brought to the meet director's attention. But I said nothing, she was just was an inexperienced open water swimmer that should stay in the pool.
My point is that not all open water swimmers play by the rules, and the occasional one (as some triatheletes) is a jerk who should stay out of the sport.
