Which OW event would you prefer

I thought I could become an OW hero, but discovered I am a wuss. I am curious what proportion actually enjoy the harsh elements. Being from the midwest, the ocean elements are probably another level of difficulties I couldn't deal with.

I have a lifetime goal of swimming the Macinaw straits. If I want to train for it, I have to get some cold, rough water swims in. I'd love to see more races with conditions like this years Big Shoulders on calendar becaseu that would help me train for a possible try next August.

I'm picking rough (sitting here in my nice cozy office without actually having to risk anything by getting in the water) :)

Having now done both, I can't say that I have a preference. Big cold water certainly gave me an excuse for the poor time that I would have had due to lack of training. I hope to have a nice mixture of both in my future.

You didn't list the distances, but all things being equal I'd prefer big water and swells over calm.. as long as the rough conditions are not caused by boats spewing gasoline. I did a triathlon once in those conditions and it was my worst OW experience ever.

Too many swims in Chi town's cold water for me.

I have a lifetime goal of swimming the Macinaw straits. If I want to train for it, I have to get some cold, rough water swims in. I'd love to see more races with conditions like this years Big Shoulders on calendar becaseu that would help me train for a possible try next August. I don't know if swimming Macinaw is my lifetime goal but I've always had it in the back of my mind. After getting a bad cramp in a inland lake 5k, it looks like this dream is on hold. Couple of questions: Does the swim not count if you wear a wetsuit or something? I don't think I have any problem wearing one myself if it is freezing. Is there any kind of organized support for this swim or is it something you would arrange on your own? What is it about 4 miles? With tough waves/currents pretty much always?

I don't know if swimming Macinaw is my lifetime goal but I've always had it in the back of my mind. After getting a bad cramp in a inland lake 5k, it looks like this dream is on hold. Couple of questions: Does the swim not count if you wear a wetsuit or something? I don't think I have any problem wearing one myself if it is freezing. Is there any kind of organized support for this swim or is it something you would arrange on your own? What is it about 4 miles? With tough waves/currents pretty much always? I don't think there is an official "count" for Mackinac swims. Jim Dreyer seems to be teh most famous Great Lakes swimmer. He uses wetsuits, but this is what Wikipedia says about him: "His swimming accomplishments have all been achieved with a wetsuit, and some swims have been done unaccompanied. These facts cause some dispute for establishing world marathon swimming records, as FINA, Channel swimming, and other marathon swimming rules do not allow unnaccompanied or wetsuit swims to compete with standard swim records." Jim's site: www.swimjimswim.org/ There are no regular organized swims of the Mackinac Straits. There was one for the 50th anniversary of the bridge, but only 50 swimmers were invited. I would want to use channel rules. Water temp averages mid 60's but can be anywhere from about 55 F (brrrr) to 72 F. A guide who helps with these swims is Kellie Nightlinger www.upwideadventureguide.com/aboutus.html It you took the shortest route, it would be slightly over 3 miles. There is current, however, and if it gets you off track, you will have to go farther to reach shore and it will seem much farther because of the current. The currents are not generally tidal, so are not easily predicted. Waves are fairly choppy. I'm guessing that training for a 10K distance at 60 F would suffice. It's not a channel swim, but it isn't a warm summer afternoon doing elementary backstroke either. If you might be interested in sharing expenses, message me. I was thinking of hiring a motorboat and a kayaker. With two swimmers, unless swim speeds are wildly disparate, I'm thinking one motorboat and two kayakers.

I don't think there is an official "count" for Mackinac swims. Jim Dreyer seems to be teh most famous Great Lakes swimmer. He uses wetsuits, but this is what Wikipedia says about him: "His swimming accomplishments have all been achieved with a wetsuit, and some swims have been done unaccompanied. These facts cause some dispute for establishing world marathon swimming records, as FINA, Channel swimming, and other marathon swimming rules do not allow unnaccompanied or wetsuit swims to compete with standard swim records." Jim's site: www.swimjimswim.org/ There are no regular organized swims of the Mackinac Straits. There was one for the 50th anniversary of the bridge, but only 50 swimmers were invited. I would want to use channel rules. Water temp averages mid 60's but can be anywhere from about 55 F (brrrr) to 72 F. A guide who helps with these swims is Kellie Nightlinger www.upwideadventureguide.com/aboutus.html It you took the shortest route, it would be slightly over 3 miles. There is current, however, and if it gets you off track, you will have to go farther to reach shore and it will seem much farther because of the current. The currents are not generally tidal, so are not easily predicted. Waves are fairly choppy. I'm guessing that training for a 10K distance at 60 F would suffice. It's not a channel swim, but it isn't a warm summer afternoon doing elementary backstroke either. If you might be interested in sharing expenses, message me. I was thinking of hiring a motorboat and a kayaker. With two swimmers, unless swim speeds are wildly disparate, I'm thinking one motorboat and two kayakers. I was going to say I need a couple more years but reading up again on that guy makes this seem like just a small feat. Yet, I know better. I just don't know... Seems there could also be some interest as a fundraiser. I'm sure if the support and scale of numbers was offered there would be a lot of takers. If I did it myself or just with you and wore a wetsuit I am going to count it.

I had to correct the imbalance in the poll. :D