Which OW event would you prefer

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 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?