The 14th Annual 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim will be on April 23rd, 2011. Entry Forms are available at www.DistanceMatters.com and entries are currently being accepted. The deadline to enter is March 1st, but contestants are encouraged to enter early since there is a limited number of entries that may be accepted.
We have several slots available for individual and group Open Water Boot Camps November - March. Our water temperatures range from 58F - 65F during our winter, so you can get your cold water training and qualification swim here in the Tampa area of Florida. You can come swim with us 2 hours to 10 hours per day, 1-7+ consecutive days, with weekend and weekday slots available.
Please contact me via email at collins@tampabay.rr.com or call me at 727.531.7999 for questions on the Boot Camp or the Marathon Swim.
Thank you,
Ron Collins
Clearwater, FL
www.DistanceMatters.com
I was keenly aware of the conditions, and the temperature readings indicated 81F at Albert Whited which is at the far western edge of the Bay and in very shallow water. Over the flats, off of Weeden Island, I am sure it was at least a couple of degrees higher, but the swimmer also gets heated by the ample sunshine so I'm sure it felt like it was over 88F. Still, we were under the maximum allowable for both water and air temp. Not optimal by any means, but certainly within the legal range. In fact, while we had 3 swimmers retire due to sea sickness, the 4th one actually had to stop due to hypothermia and was shaking like a leaf when she boarded her support boat.
The race is held at this time of year to avoid the hot water, but this year we went straight from winter to summer temps so it was unusually warm. We did have one other year over 80F, another was about 68F, but most years we are about 75F.
By the way, due to recent restrictions (which I've pushed for, seemingly forever) the Ft. Myers race has been relocated to Ft. Lauderdale. Good move, but even with that change they're not going to be competing in optimal conditions.
I was keenly aware of the conditions, and the temperature readings indicated 81F at Albert Whited which is at the far western edge of the Bay and in very shallow water. Over the flats, off of Weeden Island, I am sure it was at least a couple of degrees higher, but the swimmer also gets heated by the ample sunshine so I'm sure it felt like it was over 88F. Still, we were under the maximum allowable for both water and air temp. Not optimal by any means, but certainly within the legal range. In fact, while we had 3 swimmers retire due to sea sickness, the 4th one actually had to stop due to hypothermia and was shaking like a leaf when she boarded her support boat.
The race is held at this time of year to avoid the hot water, but this year we went straight from winter to summer temps so it was unusually warm. We did have one other year over 80F, another was about 68F, but most years we are about 75F.
By the way, due to recent restrictions (which I've pushed for, seemingly forever) the Ft. Myers race has been relocated to Ft. Lauderdale. Good move, but even with that change they're not going to be competing in optimal conditions.
