OW races without non-wetsuit divisions

I don't agree with the time penalty approach although it does have simplicity on it's side. I think it is too inaccurate, but other factors may make the inaccuracies irrelevant where ever drafting is allowed. In a race where drafting is allowed and there is a mass start, a naked swimmer could draft behind a swimmer in a wetsuit and potentially gain all of the advantage that the wetsuit swimmer has. For me the best is separate starts with wetsuit swimmers out first by 15 minutes and ranked in a completely different division. I am sure there are problems with that approach and equally sure there are many other approaches which are just as valid.

I don't know of many OW races with more than one division. There isn't any ideological reason not to have separate divisions as far as I can tell, so swimmers can have a choice, and be recognized. There isn't any strong reason to require separate recognition either, as far as I am concerned. I just happen to enjoy swimming without a wetsuit, and am happy to be out there and seeing whether I am still improving. I try to swim faster than the person nearby, whether they are wearing a wetsuit or not. If you know your competition, it's one on one only if can keep them close by. Open water results are all relative, no guarantees on anything anyway. Just decide whether to wear a wetsuit, then have fun, do your best! I haven't personally asked race organizers (Bless them!), but I suspect part of not generally having separate divisions is the hassle of organizing and enforcing the difference. Do you let both divisions swim together and expect volunteers to separate them at the finish? If you are using timing chips, do you set up the race software with an extra category that automatically keeps track (in that case race entries can still be put in erroneously). Do you do separate waves? Do you have distinct distances? Ray Gandy (RI's only English Channel swimmer) is running a local race in September where he is offering 1,2, and 3 mile distances with wetsuits allowed, and a 10K for the hardcore (no wetsuits) all with a time limit. That event covers all the bases. And the best part there is a barbecue (bring your own side dishes) after the competition.... Cheers. Swim fast seek Peace

It has been shown that a wetsuit offers the slower swimmer a greater advantage than it does for the fast swimmer. Some have suggested it is because a wetsuit can improve your body position in the water by raising (and floating) your legs. Because a fast swimmers start with a better body position, they do not benefit as much. No actual testing of that hypo as far as I know. I do notice this when I use a pull buoy during workouts (which I understand has a similar effect to that of using a wetsuit)--although if I'm tired, the pull buoy times start deteriorating as well. What I also notice, though, is that for repeats without a pull buoy that come right after those with, I seem to have better form--and faster times... muscle memory is fresher then I suppose. Makes me aware that I want to work on this body position thing more--so if I improve on that, maybe I'll do just as well as with getting a wetsuit.

Ray Gandy (RI's only English Channel swimmer) is running a local race in September where he is offering 1,2, and 3 mile distances with wetsuits allowed, and a 10K for the hardcore (no wetsuits) all with a time limit. That event covers all the bases. And the best part there is a barbecue (bring your own side dishes) after the competition.... Cheers. Swim fast seek Peace link please!

Ray Gandy's OW swim event is scheduled for September 26 Registration deadline has passed, but you can email Ray and see if he will accept last minute entries. There is no link. I think Ray means this to be locals plus a few champion swimmers. It's worth a try though, chaos... From Ray's flyer: If you are interested in swimming in either event, please send a check or money order to Ray Gandy, PO Box 777, Coventry, RI 02816 BY AUGUST 31st. We need to have a thorough count to ensure we have enough volunteers to support a safe event! If you are interested in volunteering, please email me at ray.gandy@fs.utc.com with your name and what you would like to volunteer for (kayak, refreshments, etc.). Please note if you have your own kayak as well.