Start tracking the water temperatures here -- www.surf-forecast.com/.../seatemp -- and get excited for America's premier rough water swim, http://www.ljrws.com/. This is an all ages blast of an event.
Who's going?
Who's doing the Gatorman?
Who's doing the Daily Double?
I'll be there and wimping out with the mile only; this will be my 6th year doing the mile. I attempted the daily double in both 2008 and 2010 and will try that again in 2012.
Tips for maximum enjoyment:
Spend $100 to become a century sponsor for the event (supports the kids event) and get front row seats and a super-sweet parking pass.
Arrive on Saturday so you can check in and get a practice swim in.
Hoping for warmer conditions this year than last.
Maui is nice...not a big fan of the swim unless you like to go for a 12 foot dive after swimming 2 miles all out (you get a minute off your time if you go through the arch which I did not even see until I was well past and probably could not have done anyway):)
Cool, it sort of like swimming's equivalent of the steeplechase!
The temperature peaked around 72 degrees today in the cove -- www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php -- so we'll hopefully have ideal water conditions.
I'm always amazed at the daily temperature range - I guess it has to do with the tides... but 12 degrees within a 24-hr period?! I hope the temperature during the swim is closer to the high end of the range.
I'm always amazed at the daily temperature range - I guess it has to do with the tides... but 12 degrees within a 24-hr period?! I hope the temperature during the swim is closer to the high end of the range.
For some reason that station has a huge temperature range, much higher than others in the area. My best guess is that is due to the underwater canyon present there.
If you look at the bathymetric map (attached here) you can see that there are 2 arms in the canyon (the upper being closer to the pier and the lower roughly in the middle) also you can see that there is a huge "underwater funnel" as you go into deeper ocean.
My theory is that with the rising tide the cold water (at the bottom) is pushed through the funnel into the arms and eventually closer to the surface lowering the temperature.
Ok, according to swellwatch, looking promising that it will flow up in this case before dispersing. :D
And looks like we'll have calm conditions for Sunday
I am doing the Gatorman this weekend. Does anybody know whats the best grease to use?
Thanks.
For something of that distance I would use simple vaseline on the places where skin rubs together: under the arms, around the neck & between the thighs. However, no mater what you use, this is definitely what you should use to get it off:
Gator Grease
