Swimming in chop

it is all a little scary - if you don't like freshwater chop you'll hate saltwater chop. it is very easy to be frustrated with a swim and swim conditions. i've quit at least two open water swims, have been plucked in two, and changed my swim distance at morning check-in on at least two ocassions. it might be best to do shorter swims at the same venue or shorter swims at more challenging venues. successes willl increase your confidence... and understand no two open water swims are identical. best of luck

pattie - I failed to note you have had some very long swims. it is possible big chop is simply too much. I was plucked from the chesapeake bay bridge swim, and was joined on the boat by approximately a half-dozen other swimmers... between them, they had completed the swim on other occasions more than a dozen times. my point is you might want to check on the number of DNFs in your particular races - perhaps a number of persons chose to pull out too.

This may be an off-the-wall suggestion, but... I am very comfortable with waves and chop, and I think it has to do with growing up playing in the ocean. If you can, take a vacation somewhere with waves. Learn how to play in the ocean. Body surf. Just get comfortable with a little rough water (but not too rough!). Understand that you can't control everything -- you will get water in your mouth, you won't necessarily be able to sight when you want to -- and practice being patient and waiting.

This may be an off-the-wall suggestion, but... I am very comfortable with waves and chop, and I think it has to do with growing up playing in the ocean. If you can, take a vacation somewhere with waves. Learn how to play in the ocean. Body surf. Just get comfortable with a little rough water (but not too rough!). Understand that you can't control everything -- you will get water in your mouth, you won't necessarily be able to sight when you want to -- and practice being patient and waiting. I'll echo this suggestion. Last year's Big Shoulders was pretty rough, and I was already worried how I'd respond to the coldest water I'd been in (62-63F) and my less than optimum conditioning at that time. All the years I spent playing in the Gulf and the Pacific made me comfortable with the rough waters of Lake Michigan that day so that wasn't a worry. Learning to roll with the waves and realizing that you don't have full control helps.

Hi Pattie, The Seymour Lake swim had some chop, no question! I thought of you through the whole race; saw you got out at 1 lap. By the second lap, there were whitecaps. I had a kayaker stay close to me--that helped because then I had to navigate less which means that I was less tired. The downwind leg--I could feel my body surfing down each swell. Pretty cool but it demonstrated that we had to fight real waves. Next year--Willoughby! Want to do it again? Paul

Pattie, No kidding, the wind was at 5-8 knots with 1 foot waves. To me, that is not trivial chop. During the Potomac River Swim, we had 2-3 foot seas. That was brutal for half the race. Don;t get discouraged! You are a great role model for me and others. I insist that you keep it up!!! Paul

open water 'lap' swims are a challenge in themselves :) but a 'lap' course are unavoidable at many venues. I am very appreciative of any and all willing to host and organize open water swim! Keep the 'lap' courses coming if necessary for the venue.

Try shorter distances or take a look at the water that morning to see if it's "TOO" rough.

I like the area of water around you concept !:applaud:

I like the area of water around you concept !:applaud: If you're in a nice venue, you can also focus on your quick glimpses of beautiful scenery!