Great Chesapeake Bay Swim on Sunday.

Not only separate divisions but equal awards as well. For years I was thinking of doing this race however until they make separate and equal divisions, I will not. I can completely understand the sentiment - non-wetsuit swimmers are at a definite disadvantage in this race. Maybe they'll catch up to the rest of the open water community and split the divisions one day. Maybe not. But I still do it every year I can, without a wetsuit, simply because it's one of the most fun open water races I've swum. However, if the jellyfish start coming out earlier because of the warm water, I may have to reconsider...

Is that the rule being used at the Bay swim too? I freely admit that I am a cold-water wuss and will don a wetsuit when the conditions are cold (by my reckoning). But at my last OW swim when the water temp was announced in the mid-to-low 70s, I took that thing off in a hurry. Wearing it at (say) 83 degrees sounds positively dangerous, especially in a swim as long as the Bay swim. Good luck to everyone. Chris, There is no rule uniformity in open water events. Many events don't follow any sanctioning body and there are many race production and sanctioning organizations from; private non-profit to for profit corporations etc. FINA, USA Swimming, English Channel Associations, USMS, USAT, ITU, Ironman Corporation just to name a few and many local programs that go there own way. The most important thing to do is read the rules, categories, ask race directors questions for clarifications etc. And have a good race to all entrants.

Athletes can still wear a wetsuit up to 83.8F but won't be eligible for awards, after that no wetsuits allowed. Is that the rule being used at the Bay swim too? I freely admit that I am a cold-water wuss and will don a wetsuit when the conditions are cold (by my reckoning). But at my last OW swim when the water temp was announced in the mid-to-low 70s, I took that thing off in a hurry. Wearing it at (say) 83 degrees sounds positively dangerous, especially in a swim as long as the Bay swim. Good luck to everyone.

Not only separate divisions but equal awards as well. For years I was thinking of doing this race however until they make separate and equal divisions, I will not. If and when I go east to race open water it will likely be NYC Swim event. I know that wetsuit use in triathlon have exposed many people to open water swimming, far more then without, however I wish the sponsors of the Chesapeake swim would recognize the growing movement of English Channel rules swims. But then why would they care, they sell out every year. ... Athletes can still wear a wetsuit up to 83.8F but won't be eligible for awards, after that no wetsuits allowed. Is that the rule being used at the Bay swim too? I freely admit that I am a cold-water wuss and will don a wetsuit when the conditions are cold (by my reckoning). But at my last OW swim when the water temp was announced in the mid-to-low 70s, I took that thing off in a hurry. Wearing it at (say) 83 degrees sounds positively dangerous, especially in a swim as long as the Bay swim. Good luck to everyone. ken, you've hit the nail on the head with your bolded statement. until there's no need for an entry lottery (not likely to happen in the foreseeable future), or heaven forbid, someone croaks because of hyperthermia, there's absolutely no incentive for them to have separate and equal awards. i believe this is the first year they even mentioned that warm water + wetsuits = maybe not the best idea. they're quite content to discourage wetsuits in order to pack people into the event. chris, there's no water temp rule for this swim. the only division of awards is top 3 overall by gender, top 3 overall no wetsuit by gender, and then top 3 age group by gender. so unless you plan on being either top 3 or top 3 with no wetsuit, there's zero competitive reason to forego the wetsuits. and i think the no wetsuit awards are relatively recent (as in within the last 7 years, as i don't remember that category the first few years jeff did the swim).

For years I was thinking of doing this race however until they make separate and equal divisions, I will not. ken, this is a very well run event, and lots of fun too. i recommend it highly even though the results are nonsense due to the lack of separate divisions..... who needs a silly ribbon anyway. there are hundreds of people walking around in 90 degree heat in full rubber before the swim to make fun of too..... an added bonus. but if that is not your cup of tea; by all means, come to NY! (we had a nice 5k at Coney Island in november last year.... 54 degrees!)

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.Not only separate divisions but equal awards as well. For years I was thinking of doing this race however until they make separate and equal divisions, I will not. If and when I go east to race open water it will likely be NYC Swim event. I know that wetsuit use in triathlon have exposed many people to open water swimming, far more then without, however I wish the sponsors of the Chesapeake swim would recognize the growing movement of English Channel rules swims. But then why would they care, they sell out every year. FYI – The Ironman corporation has already adapted to the new International Triathlon Union (ITU) rules of competitors can wear a wetsuit up to and including 76.1F which is a little lower then 78. USAT is expected to follow but not until 2012, apparently they want to keep there wetsuit company sponsors happy as long as they can. Athletes can still wear a wetsuit up to 83.8F but won't be eligible for awards, after that no wetsuits allowed.

Hey everyone! Does anyone have an update on the conditions - weather and water - for Sunday? This is my first one, and I'm nervous! I hate hate HATE wetsuits but I've been told I should probably wear one for this race, that it makes it easier. (I'm not trying to win or anything, just make it across :) Would you agree? thanks! CW

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. Here's part of the support staff... tv.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../11308

Water temperature: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php Weather: www.weather.com/.../Annapolis MD USMD0010

Mermaid - don't feel pressure to wear one if you hate it. I've done once with and once without, and swimming without was so much nicer. Especially if the temps keep up - water temperature is currently around 79! Good luck!