I've been wanting to do Gatorman for a few years now. I've swum in the Cove a few times, mostly to the Shores and back. I've also done a 2 mile pier to pier swim the last 4 years, anywhere from :51 to 1:05, and a 2.4 miler in :59 (wetsuit, fresh water).
For some reason Gatorman really freaks me out.... Maybe because it doesn't really follow the shoreline and feels like open ocean?
I think I do plently of training (9-12K /week including OWS) and could make the cutoff.
I had an incident in a 2.4 mile swim in 2008 where I had severe vertigo an had to be pulled out of the water. Docs and I are convinced it was from pre race supplements that I don't do anymore, and I took to wearing earplugs. I've since been in MUCH rougher seas, and never had another issue, but I still think about that, and get freaked out about being alone.
I know I can use a paddler, but don't know if it's necessary, or where to find one. Are there guards along the whole route or only at the start/finish?
Other swims don't make me this nervous, I have no idea why the Gatorman makes me feel this way. Something about being out there in the middle of the Cove all alone gives me the jeebies.
ETA - forgot, I've also done alcatraz twice, which would seem to be more intimidating
Can anyone allay my fears?
Parents
Former Member
Ken, I can't really say it's a rational fear. I live in So Cal and swim in the pacific every weekend, usually 2 miles from Hermosa to Manhattan. I've swum in big surf, heavy chop, strong currents. I've done the Dwight Crum pier to pier with 800+ swimmers on a beach start 4-5 times. I've done IM Arizona twice with 2,000 swimmers in an in water start. I've done tons of beach start tris where you gotta race the group to get to the buoy first. I used to play water polo, so the scrum doesn't bother me
I must have drowned in a prior life or something. I've got plenty of experience, and a guy I swim with does the Gman every year, and we swim the same speed.
Like I said, it's really just a feeling like I'd be in open ocean solo (I rationally know it's not really that). I think hearing that the guards are all along the course helps a bit
I saw that Scripps to the cove swim, thought it might be a good way to get over this particular fear.
Ken, I can't really say it's a rational fear. I live in So Cal and swim in the pacific every weekend, usually 2 miles from Hermosa to Manhattan. I've swum in big surf, heavy chop, strong currents. I've done the Dwight Crum pier to pier with 800+ swimmers on a beach start 4-5 times. I've done IM Arizona twice with 2,000 swimmers in an in water start. I've done tons of beach start tris where you gotta race the group to get to the buoy first. I used to play water polo, so the scrum doesn't bother me
I must have drowned in a prior life or something. I've got plenty of experience, and a guy I swim with does the Gman every year, and we swim the same speed.
Like I said, it's really just a feeling like I'd be in open ocean solo (I rationally know it's not really that). I think hearing that the guards are all along the course helps a bit
I saw that Scripps to the cove swim, thought it might be a good way to get over this particular fear.
