Advice pls - contact lenses vs optical goggles

Former Member
Former Member
So which should I wear for my OW swim? Thought I'd do contacts as that way I'll find my way to the start more easily before I put on my goggles. Then I was talking to someone yesterday who pointed out that you will get swum over at the start, so I'm now worried about my goggles getting knocked off and thus losing my contacts, and hence having no hope of seeing where I'm going. Answers on a postcard please....on second thoughts - let me try a poll... Ok poll seems to have gone.....just answers on a postcard then......
Parents
  • I always use optical goggles and never use contacts, so I can't give a lot of advice about the choice. I can say that though I understand the worry about finding the start, it might not be as big of a deal as you think. I figure out where I need to go first, and wait until the last moment to take off my glasses. Then if I need help seeing to navigate, I just put the goggles to my eyes. Looks stupid, yes, but gets the job done. Plus, by that point everyone is generally walking in the same direction. As far as getting run over at the start--it can happen and you can get your goggles knocked off. However, while you can't absolutely prevent it, you can do things to minimize the chance. First, understand that no one is out to run you over on purpose. It is just something that happens. Second, people often get run over at the start because they have put themselves at the middle of the front of the pack but cannot swim fast enough to stay there. The sides and back are usually much safer. I personally don't like the chaos at the start, so I usually go to one of the sides--you swim further, yes, but you can often can get to clear water, and thus into rhythm, faster.
Reply
  • I always use optical goggles and never use contacts, so I can't give a lot of advice about the choice. I can say that though I understand the worry about finding the start, it might not be as big of a deal as you think. I figure out where I need to go first, and wait until the last moment to take off my glasses. Then if I need help seeing to navigate, I just put the goggles to my eyes. Looks stupid, yes, but gets the job done. Plus, by that point everyone is generally walking in the same direction. As far as getting run over at the start--it can happen and you can get your goggles knocked off. However, while you can't absolutely prevent it, you can do things to minimize the chance. First, understand that no one is out to run you over on purpose. It is just something that happens. Second, people often get run over at the start because they have put themselves at the middle of the front of the pack but cannot swim fast enough to stay there. The sides and back are usually much safer. I personally don't like the chaos at the start, so I usually go to one of the sides--you swim further, yes, but you can often can get to clear water, and thus into rhythm, faster.
Children
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