Pacific Open Water Challenge - Am I expecting too much?
Former Member
I did the POW in 2008 when it was by the Belmont Pier in Long Beach. It was a funky, fun community event. Had various events - 1 mile swim, 5K swim, aquathlon, stand alone 5K, even a doggy dash swim/run, which was tons of fun to watch
Couldn't do it last year at the new venue due to illness, but heard they still had the aquathlon, cool shirts, etc.
Returned this year. It's now associated with the 5K and 10K national championships, which is quite cool as it ups the event's profile. The venue is nice (and water doesn't smell as bad as the Belmont pier area). But I have to say I was disappointed, and not sure if I am being petty?
Spent $35 for entry (buddy spent $40 on the beach). No swim cap. No T Shirt. No announcing at the end. No awards that I could make out. I exited the water about 1:05, about mid pack of the 4Kers, and they were breaking down barriers. Someone asked to look at my number and disappeared. No race clock. No post race water. It was kinda like, get out of the water, thanks for coming, towel off and leave. Like I spent $35 just to swim their laid-out course. Is it just an extra way to make money since the course is already set up for the pros? I could have swum in Manhattan Beach for free that morning.
OK, it's not like I need any of this stuff. I have a sack full of race caps at home, but I'll wear them for OW swims. I do like wearing race t shirts even though I have more cotton race shirts than I can shake a stick at. But a cool race shirt will make the cut, and I heard they were good last year. (even Naples Island has this stuff, and it's cheaper). I'm not a top swimmer so not taking home medals. But it is a race, and it should have a race or community environment, like it did in 2008.
There also seemed to be a scheduling issue. Website said 4K started at 1:45. Got there and was told it started at 1:30. Luckily, we were a bit early. Afterwards, as I was drying off, some guy asked me what I swam, and when I said the 4K, he said "I thought that started at 3???" Apparently a number of guys were waiting to swim the 4K while it was going on (this was not confirmed though). Granted, that is on them as far as I could tell, but the schedule was getting shifted some.
The only good thing about this event is that you are certain it's accurately measured so it can be a benchmark for future swims. But as an event/race? That aspect was completely non-existent. I cannot say for sure I'd go back and do this race
I appreciate that maybe it's really all about the serious 5K/10K swimmers now, which is cool, but we pay to enter as well. Maybe there simply weren't enough entrants to warrant a cap/shirt/medals. There certainly were in 2008, so maybe they need to expand the focus. Or not. I know Steven Munatones pops in here now and again so maybe he can comment.
Parents
Former Member
I sincerely apologize for your experiences in the 4K Open Water Pursuit. I take full responsibility for the unacceptable conditions and circumstances of the event.
I will try to address your valid concerns one-by-one:
> not sure if I am being petty?
You are not being petty. Just honest and your feedback is greatly appreciated.
> No swim cap
We could find no sponsors other than the generous people of Amino Vital which provided a lot of products that were available in the swimmer's tent, StingMate which provided a lot of their outstanding jellyfish sting spray, TRISWIM that provided the gift baskets for the awards, California dried plums and Swim Smooth and H2OAudio that provided give-away products.
> No T Shirt
Instead of t-shirts, we provided pre-race clinics in 3 different locations. The coaches at these clinics were outstanding, have decades of experience at the highest levels and, in my opinion, worth a lot more than other clinics. However, it turns out that very few people attended these clinics and the interest was obviously more in t-shirts than clinics. This was a valuable lesson to learn.
> No announcing at the end.
Yes, this was a total mistake. I was personally embarrassed when Colin Hill of www.greatswim.org crossed the finish line in the 4K. Colin is truly one of the world's greatest open water race directors whose races in England draw tens of thousands. When Colin crossed, there was no fanfare or recognition which must have been a shock to him. The announcer had left and I was swimming myself with one of our guest athletes from the Special Olympics. I truly, sincerely apologize.
> No awards that I could make out.
Awards were given out, but to non-existant fanfare.
> ...they were breaking down barriers
Again, another total mistake. I really wish I could turn the clock back.
> Someone asked to look at my number and disappeared
I believe this person was probably confirming your time with the video.
> No race clock.
Yes, we did not have a race clock for the USA Swimming National Championships either. This was not planned for.
> No post race water.
There should have been water in the swimmer's tent. I grabbed a bottle myself after I finished. I believe that I finished either only a few minutes before you or a few minutes after you. I was busy with our Special Olympics athlete who did the Open Water Pursuit with me, so again I apologize.
> It was kinda like, get out of the water, thanks for coming, towel off and leave. Like I spent $35 just to swim their laid-out course. Is it just an extra way to make money since the course is already set up for the pros?
This was most definitely not a money-making endeavor.
> I could have swum in Manhattan Beach for free that morning.
Please send me an email at headcoach@10Kswim.com and I will personally reimburse you and send you some swim caps.
> But it is a race, and it should have a race or community environment, like it did in 2008.
Again, this was my fault and I did not involve the local community as I should have. I have been working on this event for months and if there is anything that I can do to "make good", please tell me.
> Website said 4K started at 1:45. Got there and was told it started at 1:30. Luckily, we were a bit early. Afterwards, as I was drying off, some guy asked me what I swam, and when I said the 4K, he said "I thought that started at 3???"
Yes, the schedule was shifted when we learned that so few people had signed up for the race. We ended up combining the 2K and 4K which meant the 4K start was earlier. I was running around trying to organize everything for the pre-adjusted start and did not realize that people had left the venue (or had not arrived).
> I cannot say for sure I'd go back and do this race
I would not blame you for not coming back, but it appears that the Open Water Pursuit is a concept that is not popular or well understood. The purpose of adding the Open Water Pursuit is because this is a new race on the World Swimming Championship schedule. That is, if the swimming community added a new distance to the pool competition, then USA Swimming and USMS would probably want to add that new distance to their own events. This is what I did. We had many foreign guests (from 14 countries) who flew in to watch how we handled the new event. It is obvious that the Open Water Pursuit probably will not return, at least not in Southern California.
> I know Steven Munatones pops in here now and again so maybe he can comment.
I can only apologize from the bottom of my heart and try to make good by refunding your money or giving you one of my own caps that I have received from other states and countries. I have been fielding complaints since yesterday and am doing my best to respond as honestly and quickly as I can.
I sincerely apologize for your experiences in the 4K Open Water Pursuit. I take full responsibility for the unacceptable conditions and circumstances of the event.
I will try to address your valid concerns one-by-one:
> not sure if I am being petty?
You are not being petty. Just honest and your feedback is greatly appreciated.
> No swim cap
We could find no sponsors other than the generous people of Amino Vital which provided a lot of products that were available in the swimmer's tent, StingMate which provided a lot of their outstanding jellyfish sting spray, TRISWIM that provided the gift baskets for the awards, California dried plums and Swim Smooth and H2OAudio that provided give-away products.
> No T Shirt
Instead of t-shirts, we provided pre-race clinics in 3 different locations. The coaches at these clinics were outstanding, have decades of experience at the highest levels and, in my opinion, worth a lot more than other clinics. However, it turns out that very few people attended these clinics and the interest was obviously more in t-shirts than clinics. This was a valuable lesson to learn.
> No announcing at the end.
Yes, this was a total mistake. I was personally embarrassed when Colin Hill of www.greatswim.org crossed the finish line in the 4K. Colin is truly one of the world's greatest open water race directors whose races in England draw tens of thousands. When Colin crossed, there was no fanfare or recognition which must have been a shock to him. The announcer had left and I was swimming myself with one of our guest athletes from the Special Olympics. I truly, sincerely apologize.
> No awards that I could make out.
Awards were given out, but to non-existant fanfare.
> ...they were breaking down barriers
Again, another total mistake. I really wish I could turn the clock back.
> Someone asked to look at my number and disappeared
I believe this person was probably confirming your time with the video.
> No race clock.
Yes, we did not have a race clock for the USA Swimming National Championships either. This was not planned for.
> No post race water.
There should have been water in the swimmer's tent. I grabbed a bottle myself after I finished. I believe that I finished either only a few minutes before you or a few minutes after you. I was busy with our Special Olympics athlete who did the Open Water Pursuit with me, so again I apologize.
> It was kinda like, get out of the water, thanks for coming, towel off and leave. Like I spent $35 just to swim their laid-out course. Is it just an extra way to make money since the course is already set up for the pros?
This was most definitely not a money-making endeavor.
> I could have swum in Manhattan Beach for free that morning.
Please send me an email at headcoach@10Kswim.com and I will personally reimburse you and send you some swim caps.
> But it is a race, and it should have a race or community environment, like it did in 2008.
Again, this was my fault and I did not involve the local community as I should have. I have been working on this event for months and if there is anything that I can do to "make good", please tell me.
> Website said 4K started at 1:45. Got there and was told it started at 1:30. Luckily, we were a bit early. Afterwards, as I was drying off, some guy asked me what I swam, and when I said the 4K, he said "I thought that started at 3???"
Yes, the schedule was shifted when we learned that so few people had signed up for the race. We ended up combining the 2K and 4K which meant the 4K start was earlier. I was running around trying to organize everything for the pre-adjusted start and did not realize that people had left the venue (or had not arrived).
> I cannot say for sure I'd go back and do this race
I would not blame you for not coming back, but it appears that the Open Water Pursuit is a concept that is not popular or well understood. The purpose of adding the Open Water Pursuit is because this is a new race on the World Swimming Championship schedule. That is, if the swimming community added a new distance to the pool competition, then USA Swimming and USMS would probably want to add that new distance to their own events. This is what I did. We had many foreign guests (from 14 countries) who flew in to watch how we handled the new event. It is obvious that the Open Water Pursuit probably will not return, at least not in Southern California.
> I know Steven Munatones pops in here now and again so maybe he can comment.
I can only apologize from the bottom of my heart and try to make good by refunding your money or giving you one of my own caps that I have received from other states and countries. I have been fielding complaints since yesterday and am doing my best to respond as honestly and quickly as I can.
