OW race last weekend in June?

Last year was the first year in the 12y or so that I've been doing local open water races that Pacific Masters sanctioned a race in Lake Mendocino. The results from last year's race are here. Attendance was pretty low, probably because the race did have to be rescheduled from its original date, and because it's a long drive from the Bay Area, especially from the southerly parts. I did not do it so I cannot give you a first-hand report, but maybe you know someone on that results list? In contrast, last year, the Lake Medocino swim was cancelled because of air quality issues due to nearby forest fires. I received no notification of the cancellation, and no refund of any of the registration fee including amounts charged for a sweatshirt and t-shirt. How odd; I received several emailed notices that the race would be postponed. But those emails were not really news. Much of north-central California was on fire, and Mendocino County was a disaster area at the time due to the fires and the smoke. I spoke to some people I know in Ukiah a day or two before the race and they said you could barely see outside because the smoke was so thick. They could not possibly have held the race. I am surprised that they could not or would not refund an entry fee for someone who couldn't make the new date, and mail the shirt.

What a drag for you. The race organizers were probably being unreasonably optimistic in the days before by telling you it would be on; if you'd been here, you'd have doubted their assurances. But not to let preregistrants know personally--especially preregistrants who had made a special point to confirm--is pretty weak. I hope you brought it up with them, and I hope you managed to enjoy your weekend even so. And I hope you won't let that experience stop you from trying one of our fine California swims another time. I have done the Elk Lake series a few times and really enjoyed it.

If you think it's a long drive to Lake Mendocino from the Bay area, try coming from Oregon. Because I'd heard about the fires, I contacted one of the organizers two days prior to the race to ask if it was still on. At that point, the conditions were OK and they didn't intend to cancel. I also checked my e-mail on two occasions during the long drive the day prior to the race. No cancellation e-mail. It wasn't until I got to the lake campground (almost empty) that I learned the swim was cancelled from a park employee. While it was a little smoky, the wind had shifted by that point and the air-quality was not bad enough to prevent me from camping there that night. I understand that some of the expenses involved with such a race are up-front and would accept if part or none of my entry fee were refunded. But, I would expect to receive a refund for the cost of the shirts (or the shirts if they had already been produced). Instead, I received no refund, no notification of the cancellation, and no notification of the eventual rescheduled event. It appears that Pacific Masters members were notified of the cancellation and rescheduling, but registrants from other organizations were not notified. So, I'll stick with the Oregon events this year.

There is an Oregon OW swim at Foster Dam that weekend. It's going to be a great summer for open water in Oregon. :bliss: Here is this summer's schedule. June 6 Hagg Lake 800, 2000, 4000 June 28 Foster Lake 1 mile July 18-19 Applegate Lake 1500, 5K July 31-Aug 2 Elk Lake 3000, 500, 1500, 5K, etc Aug 16 Dorena Lake 1500, etc Aug 22 Eel Lake 3000, 500, 1500 I'd strongly recommend any of the Oregon swims if you can fit them into your schedule. They are well-organized and are usually held in beautiful locations. Additional details will be available on the Oregon Masters website. In contrast, last year, the Lake Medocino swim was cancelled because of air quality issues due to nearby forest fires. I received no notification of the cancellation, and no refund of any of the registration fee including amounts charged for a sweatshirt and t-shirt.

The last few years there has been an open water race in Colorado Springs the last week in June. I will contact the Race Director and see if she is going to have it this year.

There is an Oregon OW swim at Foster Dam that weekend. It's going to be a great summer for open water in Oregon. :bliss: Here is this summer's schedule. June 6 Hagg Lake 800, 2000, 4000 June 28 Foster Lake 1 mile July 18-19 Applegate Lake 1500, 5K July 31-Aug 2 Elk Lake 3000, 500, 1500, 5K, etc Aug 16 Dorena Lake 1500, etc Aug 22 Eel Lake 3000, 500, 1500 I'd strongly recommend any of the Oregon swims if you can fit them into your schedule. They are well-organized and are usually held in beautiful locations. Additional details will be available on the Oregon Masters website. +1 Below is a picture of Elk Lake. An amazing venue. The OMS races are run by a dedicated group of people led by Bob Bruce. As mentioned above, here is the schedule Open Water Swims June 6, 2009 - -- - 800, 2000, 4000 -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - - Hagg Lake June 28, 2009- -- - 1 mile-- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - - Foster Lake July 18-19, 2009 1500, 5 K - -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - - Applegate Lake July 31-Aug. 2, 2009 - -3000, 500, 1500, 5 K -- -- - - -- - - -- - - - Elk Lake (Cascade Lake Swim) Aug. 16 - -- - - -- - 1500, 1000 Equipment, 500 Kick -- - - -- - - - Dorena Lake Aug. 22 - -- - - -- - 3000, 500, 1500 Assn. Champs - -- - - -- - - - Eel Lake

Thanks- and I'll stop whining now. I did end up having a delightful weekend despite the cancelled swim. I got to drive through two forest fires, see a large herd of elk, explore a spectacular stretch of the Northern California coast, and visit the redwoods. So, not a bad way to spend a weekend. Getting back to the original post, I think the Foster Lake swim would be an excellent option. It's a large, deep, beautiful lake in a scenic location (though not quite as spectacular as Elk Lake). Hope to see you there!