I was just curious about everyone's "first time". When/where did you take that first plunge into open water??
(I did a search to see if a thread like this had been done and came up empty.)
Ft. Lauderdale Ocean Mile in late December 1987.
Our college team (both men and women) trained at the ISHOF pool in Ft. Lauderdale over Christmas Break. Our coach made all of us swim this event in lieu of a workout in the pool. I was not too keen on the idea but did it anyway both years I was there (Freshman and Junior years).
1987 was not so bad, the tide was out, there was no wind, and the water was quite smooth. Start was a bit chaotic (we started on the beach and ran into the water) and the finish hectic but it went OK. 1989 was BAD...tide was coming in, it was cold (record cold snap in most of FL that year), and you couldn't see past your hand. Got kicked, clawed, sand got into all my openings, and I drank about two gallons of seawater...not a fun experience.
So I swore off open water swimming until last year. Swam the AZ Open Water Series (five events) and did well. Won the series (M 40-44, 2000M, Wetsuit division) and had a good time. Will probably do four events next year (going to Convention during one of the swims) and will do the same distance option.
I prefer swimming in pools but open water is a nice change of pace.
Ft. Lauderdale Ocean Mile in late December 1987.
Our college team (both men and women) trained at the ISHOF pool in Ft. Lauderdale over Christmas Break. Our coach made all of us swim this event in lieu of a workout in the pool. I was not too keen on the idea but did it anyway both years I was there (Freshman and Junior years).
1987 was not so bad, the tide was out, there was no wind, and the water was quite smooth. Start was a bit chaotic (we started on the beach and ran into the water) and the finish hectic but it went OK. 1989 was BAD...tide was coming in, it was cold (record cold snap in most of FL that year), and you couldn't see past your hand. Got kicked, clawed, sand got into all my openings, and I drank about two gallons of seawater...not a fun experience.
So I swore off open water swimming until last year. Swam the AZ Open Water Series (five events) and did well. Won the series (M 40-44, 2000M, Wetsuit division) and had a good time. Will probably do four events next year (going to Convention during one of the swims) and will do the same distance option.
I prefer swimming in pools but open water is a nice change of pace.
