I'm doing the Chesapeake Bay swim on Sunday. I have no idea what to expect. I'm planning to not use a wetsuit but I noticed most swimmers had wetsuits last year...not sure why. If anyone has done this swim I'd appreaciate any tips/advice. This will be my longest OW swim to date.
Here's a thread from 2009. Major posters are still around, and active. Could also check their blogs. Hope this gets you started in finding the answers.
forums.usms.org/showthread.php
Here's a detailed blog post:
forums.usms.org/blog.php
Search using "Chesapeake Bay" and you'll come up with other first-hand reports in the blogs.
Thanks for the responses. I read the postings from 2009. They are very helpful and provided me with some insight on the whole wetsuit vs. non-wetsuit issue. I tend to over-heat in wetsuits and since the water is currently in the mid-70s I think I would cook myself in a wetsuit. It is too bad they don't seperate the divisions...that seems a little unfair.
Most swimmers wear a wetsuit because there are no separate divisions and the wet suit increases your speed. The water is usually warm so there is no need to use a wet suit for insulation. There is usually a cross current (left to right) that is created by the outgoing tide (ebb). This current increases near the end of the swim.
You'll have fun. It is a well run swim. Good luck.
Thanks for the responses. I read the postings from 2009. They are very helpful and provided me with some insight on the whole wetsuit vs. non-wetsuit issue. I tend to over-heat in wetsuits and since the water is currently in the mid-70s I think I would cook myself in a wetsuit. It is too bad they don't seperate the divisions...that seems a little unfair.
I agree. I am a supporter of using wetsuits to open up our sport to more people, but mid 70's? Yikes. There should definitely be a separate division. From USAT rules:
4.4. Wetsuits.
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
So even for the super skinny 78° is considered hot.
You are definitely going to be too hot wearing all three of those!
Yeah, real funny, old man. I'll be waiting on the beach with JayHawk for your arrival, beer in hand.
I hope you enjoy your boat ride in to the beach, and be sure to make mine a nice cold Blue Moon. :chug:
That's it, it's official, we are gridging now. And, no, you can't include your support staff of 9 brothers, 5 cousins, 3 dogs, and 2 pigs in your official race results. Jazzdrip has been training hard with me and will accompany me the last 8 yards and give you kidney shots if the race is close.
I do need to pack a cooler but no cold blue Natty Lite ICE this time. I got sucker-punched by ICE beer a few weeks ago and am off the stuff.
I'm doing this for the first time. I'm kind of freaking out about it. I've done several OWS's but the most I've done is 2 mi. Any words of advice/encouragement? Also, is it supposed to rain that day? Weather.com is showing a 60% chance...
I do need to pack a cooler but no cold blue Natty Lite ICE this time. I got sucker-punched by ICE beer a few weeks ago and am off the stuff.I hope you recover quickly from the sucker punch.
