Resting on Kayaks

Practice clearing your goggles by rolling over on your back. Or, just stop, tread water, take care of the issue. Nutrition, well, you're not going to be taking nutrition on during the IM swim (or, IMHO you shouldn't be). You shouldn't need in-swim nutrition until you start going over the 5K mark. As for cramping, well that gets into medical issues. You'll need to assess whether it's a type of cramp you can resolve on your own or whether you'll need assistance. If you need assistance, then the DQ rules apply. OK, the following is a bit of a rant.. This isn't directed at the OP in particular, and may not apply to you.... and not intended to come off harsh sounding... These rules do not apply to WTC ironman swims, HOWEVER.... and I say this as someone that actually needed the assistance of kayaks to prevent me from possible drowning after getting hit with severe, un-anticipated vertigo at Ironman AZ that knocked me out of the race and into bed for several days -- the kayaks are not there to be your resting buoys, nor to provide something to hang onto when taking nutrition. They are there for the people that need immediate medical assistance, and if they are being used as resting pods, they are not able to help those that may need it. So please, make sure you are comfortable with the distance and that you do not have a Plan A, B or C that includes "I can hang onto the kayaks if I get tired" as part of your plan. I read of many many triathletes that go into races thinking "the swim is only 10% of the race, I can skate by on minimal training" If something unexpected happens, or you get kicked, or panic or hyperventilate due to the crowds or water temps, and you need a bit of break, that's different. But please don't think hanging onto a kayak is any part of a proper IM swim "plan". It doesn't sound like it since you are talking about cramps, etc. but you did say "rest on the kayak" as well. That's just my .02, opinions may vary, etc.

Practice clearing your goggles by rolling over on your back. Or, just stop, tread water, take care of the issue. Nutrition, well, you're not going to be taking nutrition on during the IM swim (or, IMHO you shouldn't be). You shouldn't need in-swim nutrition until you start going over the 5K mark. As for cramping, well that gets into medical issues. You'll need to assess whether it's a type of cramp you can resolve on your own or whether you'll need assistance. If you need assistance, then the DQ rules apply. OK, the following is a bit of a rant.. This isn't directed at the OP in particular, and may not apply to you.... and not intended to come off harsh sounding... These rules do not apply to WTC ironman swims, HOWEVER.... and I say this as someone that actually needed the assistance of kayaks to prevent me from possible drowning after getting hit with severe, un-anticipated vertigo at Ironman AZ that knocked me out of the race and into bed for several days -- the kayaks are not there to be your resting buoys, nor to provide something to hang onto when taking nutrition. They are there for the people that need immediate medical assistance, and if they are being used as resting pods, they are not able to help those that may need it. So please, make sure you are comfortable with the distance and that you do not have a Plan A, B or C that includes "I can hang onto the kayaks if I get tired" as part of your plan. I read of many many triathletes that go into races thinking "the swim is only 10% of the race, I can skate by on minimal training" If something unexpected happens, or you get kicked, or panic or hyperventilate due to the crowds or water temps, and you need a bit of break, that's different. But please don't think hanging onto a kayak is any part of a proper IM swim "plan". It doesn't sound like it since you are talking about cramps, etc. but you did say "rest on the kayak" as well. That's just my .02, opinions may vary, etc.