24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Sun, 01 May 2011 08:46:32 GMT

I actually WANT to enter the hot as hell Fort Myer 10k and soak up some sun, but if I've researched the right swim, then it looks like it's moved to Fort Lauderdale and the 10k is "invitation only" or "elite". My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail, along with my invite to Will and Kate's nuptuals. The Masters 10K Championship is still going to be in Fort Myer www.clubassistant.com/.../meet_information.cfm However the USA Swimming National 10K has been moved to Fort Lauderdale. Notice The 2011 USA Swimming Open Water National Championships have been relocated from Fort Myers, Fla., to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The 10k race will be held June 10 and the 5k race will remain on June 12. The USA Swimming Board of Directors approved this change in venue. The change in venue is designed to provide the safest possible environment for the event, and is in keeping with recommendations made by the Open Water Commission, which included the recommendation that races exceeding 5K should not be held in water above 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Because the water temperature in Fort Myers could exceed that temperature, the decision was made to move the event now, rather than potentially having to cancel the race on or near the day www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx I wanted to do this race however last year I learned (I probably already knew) in Noblesville, IN 10K that I don't race well in very warm water. I hope the 2012 USMS National 10K OW is in a location with something more like high 60's low 70's water temp.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

evmo — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 06:04:12 GMT

I wondered what the hell happened at the Gandy Bridge since all of the swimmers who dropped all dropped at the same spot. Seemed very odd to me. The Gandy Bridge is a tough part of the swim regardless of water temperature. You've already swum 16 miles, but still have more than a marathon-distance swim remaining. If you look through the archives at swimmers who have retired, the Gandy is a very popular place to do it -- and I doubt water temperature was the issue. Still, it's great to know about the power plant.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

sarah_q — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 03:53:52 GMT

I wondered what the hell happened at the Gandy Bridge since all of the swimmers who dropped all dropped at the same spot. Seemed very odd to me. I am glad you did the research and discovered this. Very interesting. I plan to do this swim next year. I tried to put a 3-person relay team together this year but failed. Congrats to all of the swimmers this year!

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:17:45 GMT

Interesting research, Bob. I think I see the power plant on the satellite map about 1400m south of the bridge on the west shore. From what I understand the ideal course passes just left of the hump on the bridge. So, a little less than halfway across the bridge (going East). That would put you ~2500m east of the power plant outlet. Sounds like you may have been quite a bit closer than that? Unfortunately, my course was less than ideal. I know I crossed under the Gandy bridge not far from it's western end, and that we had cut the corner to the south pretty close. Based on a rough estimate from the satellite pictures, I was anywhere from 1,200 meters to 1,500 meters from the outlet at my closest. (Of course my recollection may be incorrect as to my position, but not as to hot it felt). I also don't know how the tidal current might have affected the flow of the hot water from the plant. Funny thing about this is that I found out this information by accident. I knew how hot it felt. As they say, I was there. So i didn't go looking for some kind of answer. Instead, the only reason I found the information was that in the process of creating a satellite route map for my blog today, I noticed the developed area in the middle of a wetlands. I zoomed in, and it showed that it was clearly a power plant. That's when I went hunting for the information on it. I suppose it could be just a coincidence, but not likely.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:14:26 GMT

Just an update on something I discovered. Just south of the Gandy Bridge which I have been identifying as the hottest water, and where I believe the 2 swimmers abandoned the race, is (and you are going to love this) a power plant. It has been in operation for 50 years, and as far as I could tell, it is still operating. progress-energy.com/.../article.asp The power plant has a hot water discharge canal which channels hot water directly into the bay at that location. Because of the hot water pumped into the bay, that location is a well known winter fishing spot. floridasportfishing.com/.../power-plants.html noshoes.blogspot.com/.../fishing-warm-water-discharge.html Also because of the hot water discharge, it is designated a seasonal Manatee Preserve where no water activities can be conducted. The restrictions apply from mid-Novemember until the end of March. www.savethemanatee.org/news_feature_cockroach_bay.htm This is the area that I have explained to people that was so briny that the inside of my nostrils were burning. Ron, this seems like something you should have known about, and that should have been shared with the swimmers before the race.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

evmo — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:49:52 GMT

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:09:10 GMT

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:42:53 GMT

last year, the water temps were low to mid 70's. if i recall correctly; there was even some chatter (a few weeks before the swim) that we might not even see 70 degrees for the swim. ron puts on a great event, but even he can't control these things. i know i would have to knock down my effort a few notches if the water was in the 80's, but... as these things are difficult to predict a few months out; it wouldn't keep me from entering. on the other hand: the 10k at ft meyers is extremely likely to have water temps in the mid 80's. i won't be.... will you? I actually WANT to enter the hot as hell Fort Myer 10k and soak up some sun, but if I've researched the right swim, then it looks like it's moved to Fort Lauderdale and the 10k is "invitation only" or "elite". My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail, along with my invite to Will and Kate's nuptuals.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:24:03 GMT

last year, the water temps were low to mid 70's. if i recall correctly; there was even some chatter (a few weeks before the swim) that we might not even see 70 degrees for the swim. ron puts on a great event, but even he can't control these things. i know i would have to knock down my effort a few notches if the water was in the 80's, but... as these things are difficult to predict a few months out; it wouldn't keep me from entering. on the other hand: the 10k at ft meyers is extremely likely to have water temps in the mid 80's. i won't be.... will you? Ah! Mid 70's. Where were you when I needed you. And to think in the past I have complained about temperatures over 74. I have never said, nor have I suggested, that Ron was responsible for the warm water. However, I am a bit surprised that even after the race he was unaware of the conditions that the competitors faced that day.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:17:59 GMT

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

roncollins — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:38:35 GMT

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:36:30 GMT

followed by 'IMHO' or not, this would play better in a private message I purposely left it out of my earlier comments, but once it was brought forth by Ron as a relevant fact, it needed to be clarified for those who may be following the thread.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:31:09 GMT

As for the swimmer that retired because of hyperthermia, I am again surprised that you don't know that the night before she was sick and didn't eat anything almost the entire day. She also started getting cold within the first 30 minutes to an hour and endured it for as long as she could. Before you use a swimmer's reason for abandoning as a gauge for the temperature of the water, I'd think it would be a good idea to speak to that swimmer first. IMHO followed by 'IMHO' or not, this would play better in a private message

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:55:58 GMT

P.S.: The temperature of the water this year would not stop me from doing this race again in the future.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:23:00 GMT

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. Ron, I have never suggested that this race was conducted in temperature conditions that exceeded the limits. In fact before the race I laid out what I thought was the worse case scenario, and concluded that it would be well within the maximum water temperature AND the maximum combined water and air temperatures. The race day temperatures were better than my worse case scenario, so that is not my point. However, I stand by my comments and observations. And while we are on the topic, in your pre-race announcements I think you consistently took the position that the water temperatures would be 79 to 80 despite my pointing out the readings being reported at St Petersburg (82). The only place nearby that I saw 79 was at Clearwater in the open Gulf. Nevertheless, I planned for hotter temperatures because my analysis was that it would be at least 82 in the water and the air temperature might be as high as 92. The measures I took were successful, and as you saw with my finish sprint, I felt great at the end. However, I can't speak for all of the other competitors. I can only speak to what I experienced. As for the swimmer that retired because of hyperthermia, I am again surprised that you don't know that the night before she was sick and didn't eat anything almost the entire day. She also started getting cold within the first 30 minutes to an hour and endured it for as long as she could. Before you use a swimmer's reason for abandoning as a gauge for the temperature of the water, I'd think it would be a good idea to speak to that swimmer first. IMHO

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:39:38 GMT

My experience pretty much concurs with the data Ron posted. I did the 84-degree 10K in Noblesville last year and it wasn't anywhere near that. 81 sounds about right, and there were cooler upwellings over some of the shipping channels. The only spot where it seemed significantly warmer was in the last few hundred yards before the finish, in 3-5 feet of water. A few comments. First, you finished 2 1/2 hours ahead of me. :-) That put you further up-course when I was experiencing the hottest water of the day. This was about the same time as when you referred to experiencing the hottest water. Second, while the time I passed the NOAA buoy may have been before it's highest temperature, the later temperatures taken at the buoy probably fairly represents (if not understates) the water temperatures of the upper parts of the bay. Third, for better or worse (obviously worse) I was further west than you when approaching the Gandy Bridge. This was shallower water and where the water temperature was the highest. Your GPS readings put you in the deeper channel at the bridge. Finally, I can't help but notice that 2 swimmers DNF due to sickness near the Gandy Bridge. I can attest to the fact that the heat of the water and the air combined in that location made me extremely lightheaded. It was so bad that at every one of my 15 minute feedings approaching the Gandy Bridge I was poring ice water over my head and neck to cool down. As a side note, every swimmer I talked to (the later arriving swimmers) described the water as hot, and one experienced swimmer told me they wouldn't swim the event again because of the water temperature.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:33:37 GMT

It was hot. it started at 81, and went up from there. The NOAA buoy for St. Petersburg was 84.5. In one (long) section it felt like 86 to 88 and I heard one person mention 87. So it was very hot water, and the high for the day was 89!

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

evmo — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:54:45 GMT

I can only attest to my own experience; and it's great to hear others' experiences. It sounds like you experienced warmer water than I did, due to time of day and route. This is great information for future TBMS swimmers and their pilots, if the Gulf Coast should happen to be blessed with another early summer :-) It would be unfortunate if anyone decided against trying the swim because they expected overly warm water. I think this year was unusual.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:17:24 GMT

congrats to all... sounds like the water was warm. SOLO SWIMMERS Evan Morrison, 31M, Chicago, IL – 8 hours, 59 minutes Tom Sherry, 43M, Asheville, NC – 9 hours, 40 minutes Kevin Anderson, 51M, Jamul, CA – 9 hours, 56 minutes Frank Kriegler, 45M, Asheville, NC – 10 hours, 5 minutes Barbara Held, 57F, San Diego, CA – 10 hours, 21 minutes Scott Richards, 51M, San Marcos, CA – 10 hours, 35 minutes Douglas McConnell, 53M, Barrington, IL – 10 hours, 44 minutes Cynthia Walsh, 48F, San Diego, CA – 10 hours, 50 minutes Anthony McCarley, 51M, Berwyn, PA – 11 hours, 26 minutes Bob Needham, 58M, Lake Oswego, OR – 11 hours, 26 minutes, 15 seconds Bridgette Hobart, 48F, Lake Hopatcong, NJ – 11 hours, 51 minutes Jennifer McCormick, 28F, Cheshire, CT – 12 hours, 16 minutes Michelle Nelson, 39F, Lake Worth, FL – 12 hours, 19 minutes Alan Morrison, 49M, New York, NY – 14 hours, 23 minutes Flavia Zappa, 44F, Minneapolis, MN – 15 hours, 10 minutes Eric Arndt, 33M, Bloomington, IL – DNF due to sickness near the Gandy Bridge Willy Blumentals, 38M, North Bergen, NJ – DNF due to sickness near the Gandy Bridge Kimberly Plewa, 28F, Rahway, NJ – DNF due to hypothermia near the Gandy Bridge Don Macdonald, 49M, Barrington, IL – DNF due to shoulder pain near the Gandy Bridge RELAYS Dream Team – 8 hours, 21 minutes Casey Gemunder, 22F, Bethesda, MD Jessica Delgehausen, 21F, Rogers, MN Drew Onken, 19M, Marietta, GA Holiday in Cambodia – 9 hours, 4 minutes Tim Kennedy, 54M, St. Petersburg, FL Chris Burke, 49M, St. Petersburg, FL Angry Fish – 9 hours, 43 minutes Tom McEvoy, 57M, West Chester, PA Chris Kirwin, 45M, Overland Park, KS Jordan Lewis, 53M, Minneapolis, MN Mike Regan, 50M, Cumberland, ME Barb Good Toohey, 50F, Hanover, MA Dan Snyder, 43M, Los Gatos, CA The No Names – 9 hours, 54 minutes Pat Marzulli, 62M, Indian Rocks Beach, FL Mark Smitherman, 53M, Clearwater, FL Joe Lain, 57M, Clearwater, FL Kentucky Girls Swim Barefoot – 10 hours, 40 minutes Nancy McElwain, 44F, Louisville, KY Linda Fijol, F, Hadley, MA Christina Norris, 55F, Louisville, KY Ashli Collins, 38F, Crestwood, KY Sally DiLaura, 53F, Louisville, KY Susan Ehringer, 42F, Louisville, KY 3 Y's Guys Swim for Richard – 10 hours, 35 minutes Paul Kiell, 80M, Far Hills, NJ William Raynes, 22M, Basking Ridge, NJ Michael Raynes, 24M, Basking Ridge, NJ Douglas Munch, 64M, Cambridge, MA Bart 'n' Arnie – 10 hours, 58 minutes Bart Cobb, 56M, Tampa, FL Arnie Bellini, 52M, Tampa, FL Fear No Distance – 10 hours, 59 minutes Lori Carena, 57F, Brooklyn, NY Julie Sheldon, 39F, Summit, NJ Team Impromptu – 11 hours, 51 minutes Mo Siegel, 59M, Piermont, NY Suzie Dods, 50F, San Francisco, CA Ric Nadel, 43M, Westport, CT Terri Pyle, 46F, Orlando, FL

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

evmo — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:52:23 GMT

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

roncollins — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:03:27 GMT

Officially, it was about 81F off of Albert Whited Airport, the location of this data. Surely, it was warmer over the flats, especially around noontime. It was unusally hot this year, but nowhere close to the maximum and it is hopefully going to be near the average of 75F for next year's event on April 21, 2012. www.DistanceMatters.com/data.gif Official Results: The 2011 Tampa Bay Marathon Swim The Fourteenth Annual 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim was held on Saturday, April 23, 2011. Evan Morrison, 31, from Chicago was the overall champion, completing the course in 8 hours, 59 minutes. The women’s champion was Barbara Held, 57, from San Diego, CA who swam the length of the Bay in 10 hours, 21 minutes. The fastest time of the day was by a team of swimmers from Davidson College, calling themselves “The Dream Team,” finishing in 8 hours, 21 minutes. Swimmers battled a 12 knot easterly headwind as they headed toward Pinellas Point, with an official starting time of 7:17am. Relay swimmer for The Dream Team, Drew Onken, 19, from Marietta, GA, quickly distanced himself from the field, followed by eventual solo champion Evan Morrison, and relay team Holiday in Cambodia. As they made the turn north, the pack was spread out along the western shore of Tampa Bay, due to the current caused by the incoming tide and the easterly wind. As the leaders approached the Gandy Bridge, the winds had settled to 5 knots, but the swimmers still had to cope with the moderate chop and warm temperatures. Typically, marathon swimmers prefer water temperatures in the 60s, so the unseasonably warm 81F on the race course was uncomfortable for most of the competitors. The Dream Team, a relay of 3 varsity collegiate swimmers, eventally came ashore at Ben T. Davis Beach, registering a time just 38 minutes faster than the solo champion Evan Morrison. After the event, Morrison admited that he kept an eye on the 2 person relay team from St. Petersburg, FL, Holiday in Cambodia, who trailed him closely from behind and finished only 5 minutes later. The calming waters in the north regions of the Bay eventually saw 15 of the 19 soloists, and all 9 relay teams reach their final destination to complete the marathon swim. The women's champion, Barbara Held, led a strong contingent of competitors from Southern California. She reported that conditions were choppy and hot, but her approach was very methodical and consistent as she powered her way to the end. Currently the oldest woman to successfully complete the swim from Catalina Island to the California mainland, her next competition will be the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim on June 18th. Visit our Facebook page to connect with other participants & see pictures from our event. Go There Now >>> Perhaps the most remarkable story of the day is that of Flavia Zappa, 44, from Minneapolis, MN. On her 7th attempt to complete the event, she swam the length of Tampa Bay with an expert crew that included defending champion Craig Lenning, 31, who returned this year from Denver, CO soley to help Flavia complete the swim. As is custom with this type of event, Flavia set a new record for "swimming the longest", finishing the swim in 15 hours, 10 minutes. Previously, that record was held by Laura Collette, who spent 14 hours, 23 minutes swimming the race in 2003.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

ViveBene — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 11:16:40 GMT

(The others are still swimming?) Well played, evmo! Congratulations to all who made the commitment, got wet, swam far! :applaud:

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 10:12:12 GMT

EVMO @ 8:59!!!!!!! sorry, i don't have ant of the other results yet.

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

roncollins — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 11:10:21 GMT

Here is the list of entries (so far) for the 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim, to be held on Saturday, April 23, 2011: Solo Swimmers Evan Morrison, 31M, Chicago, IL Sergio Radovcic, 32M, Delray Beach, FL Scott Richards, 51M, San Marcos, CA Barbara Held, 57F, San Diego, CA Mo Siegel, 59M, Piermont, NY Bob Needham, 58M, Lake Oswego, OR Jennifer McCormick, 28F, Cheshire, CT Alan Morrison, 49M, New York, NY Don MacDonald, 49M, Barrington, IL Shamu MacIntyre, 59M, Merritt Island, FL Anthony McCarley, 51M, Berwyn, PA Relays 3 Y's Guys Swim for Richard Paul Kiell, 80M, Far Hills, NJ Martino Caretto, 60M, Basking Ridge, NJ Douglas Munch, 64M, Cambridge, MA Entry deadline is March 1st, 2011. Official information and entry forms are available at www.DistanceMatters.com

RE: 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on April 23, 2011

Former Member — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:31:52 GMT

That may be true Ron, but you don't provide the flotsam and jetsom that MIMS does. I object to being called Flotsam and Jetsom! I prefer "texture"