first time in the ocean

RE: first time in the ocean

orca1946 — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:56:40 GMT

I'll think of you when the ice is on everything this winter!

RE: first time in the ocean

Patrick W. Brundage — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:51:34 GMT

Highly recommend Tower 26 beach workouts with Gerry Rodrigues. openwaterpedia.com/index.php Thanks for this ... I'm going to try to hit this some time when I'm back in the LA area ... need to strategically plan a Wednesday business trip :)

RE: first time in the ocean

Former Member — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:36:40 GMT

hey thanks alot!! and im in long beach not laguna...love this ocean!!

RE: first time in the ocean

Former Member — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:57:47 GMT

Highly recommend Tower 26 beach workouts with Gerry Rodrigues. openwaterpedia.com/index.php They are free (donations accepted) and fantastic. For much of the summer, there were huge turnouts (150-200+) of swimmers & triathletes of all abilities. With some big tri events out of the way, the group has become much smaller - about 60-70 last week - which I liked better. :D He should be doing a few more sessions before ending the season. For your first ocean swim, might want to show up on a calm day. You don't want to fight big waves your first time. As for wetsuits... good luck getting the right fit. I wear mine, of course, but don't love it. I get cold very easily so I wear it even when the water is high 60's for comfort, but maybe you have higher cold tolerance. And LB? Is that Long Beach, Laguna Beach? Welcome to SoCal.

RE: first time in the ocean

Former Member — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:09:07 GMT

still SO envious. it's going to be lovely to play around in the ocean

RE: first time in the ocean

Former Member — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:52:58 GMT

thanks for the tips!!...also i do plan on going for lengthy swims (1 to 2 hours) so that's why I was wondering about a wet suit for the colder months.

RE: first time in the ocean

Former Member — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:10:30 GMT

I am SO jealous of you I could explode. Try a quick little dip without a wetsuit. Feels awesome. Just play around in the surf. You'll love it!!!!!!! It may feel cold at first but you'll get used to it. Enjoy! Wetsuits are useful when it's cold but they make you look like a seal.

RE: first time in the ocean

Patrick W. Brundage — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 03:28:19 GMT

Try to meet this guy -- http://robaquatics.com/ I like a sleeveless wetsuit -- look around for deals on either the Xterra Volt or Vortex (www.xterrawetsuits.com/.../). Like Amanda said, though, depending upon your cold tolerance and the distance you're going to swim, try swimming without a wetsuit. Loads of OW races are listed at www.spma.net Try to find a local tri group or Masters group that does some OW training. I imagine folks at the Long Beach Grunions (http://www.lbgrunions.org/) can point you in the right direction.