Change Your Latitude - 57* North Open Water Challenge

Here's a 21k event in Sweden at 58*N that I'm planning to do this summer. www.youtube.com/watch it is a lake.

For the record, I was speaking of the 2010 version of the Elk Lake swims, when I had the pleasure of swimming next to/behind/ahead of/around you in the 5K. :) I believe Bob reported a water temp of 67-68 that day. You left out the part that it was below freezing at sunrise on the morning of the 5K. I slept in a tent and my shoes were covered in frost. But you are right the water was no colder than 66.

USMS requires a kayaker for each swimmer over ? 5km? or 3 miles as well as relevant permits from USCG which you'll need if you are crossing navigable channels. I'm pretty sure the threshold is at least 10K, not 5K. I did a USMS 10K in 2010 without a paddler. For sure, they will need a USCG permit.

USMS requires a kayaker for each swimmer over ? 5km? or 3 miles USMS does NOT require escort craft (kayak or other) in any USMS sanctioned race. Paddlers and escort boats may be permitted by the event director, but USMS does not mandate this.

chaos, Most interesting event in Sweden. Can't help but notice all wearing--wetsuits! What's up with that! Maybe you will educate them as you have me on this odd concept, "cold-acclimated". They also are all towing inflatable geese, with but one kayak and one power boat for the whole lot. Maybe the lawyers in Sweden aren't as effective as those we have in the good old US of A. Which brings up a question. Sitka has a limited number of kayaks--and that is partly the reason for limiting our participation numbers. I hate the idea of towing a blow-up toy in a race, but if it significantly improves the margin of safety, should we consider this as a requirement in lieu of or in addition to a personal kayak escort? Our course does cross one of several navigable channels which is often used by vessels traveling to/from Sitka harbor. And that is very different from a more controlled lake swim. Thoughts anyone? USMS requires a kayaker for each swimmer over ? 5km? or 3 miles as well as relevant permits from USCG which you'll need if you are crossing navigable channels.

After all this discussion I still don't have a firm grasp of the likely water temp in Sitka on August 12, 2012...? Race description says "mid-50s" but website also mentions "Nothing like a dip in 52˚ water." I realize it's not entirely predictable, but even some basic stats would be interesting and valuable. Something along the lines of "Average of 55, range of 52-58." What was the water temp in 2010 and 2011? Claudia just informed me that when she researched her Kruzof to Sitka swim, expected water temp would be between 48 and 55 degrees F. She also said that last years event which was held several miles away out Halibut Point Rd., the temp was 52-53. I believe that was true for 2010 event also. Now, having said that, I did most of my preparation swims for both events along Japonski Is. following the course we have laid out for 2012. I did not have a thermometer with me, but the water on every occasion of my practice swims both years was noticably less cold than the course out Halibut point. I'm sure I can rustle up some goverment data on water temps in and around Japonski--we have more than our share of goverment agencies in Alaska so somebody must be measuring water temp for the public record. Will get back to you on that, and thanks for asking. Meanwhile, here is more data to chew on prior to registering with CYL. en.wikipedia.org/.../Sitka,_Alaska

After all this discussion I still don't have a firm grasp of the likely water temp in Sitka on August 12, 2012...? Race description says "mid-50s" but website also mentions "Nothing like a dip in 52˚ water." I realize it's not entirely predictable, but even some basic stats would be interesting and valuable. Something along the lines of "Average of 55, range of 52-58." What was the water temp in 2010 and 2011? Whatever the lower end of that range is, that's the temperature swimmers would need to prepare for. If it's 52F, frankly there are only a handful of swimmers in the US who are capable of doing 10K in 52F water. How many of those folks would sign up for the CYL57* in a potential skin category? I'm guessing not more than 3. The point being - even if you offer a skin category (which I think you should), I'd guess almost everyone will enter the wetsuit category anyway. One idea might be to offer a dedicated kayak to every "skin" 10K participant, but limit the enrollment in that category to, say 3-5. PS, chaos, that Sweden swim looks delicious. I notice USMS member Ryan Provencher is on the 2012 enrollment list: web.me.com/.../Anmälan.html

Well you beat me to it. I also found the NOAA website and the reading station is across the channel within 1/4 mile of event start/finish. Past readings on August 12 at 8:00 a.m. (anticipated start time) 2008 52.5 2009 56.8 2010 54.0 2011 53.0 Sometimes temp goes up as much as 4 degrees by late afternoon (2011) and sometimes it goes down later in the day (2009) Sorry I don't know how to shorten the link using a bookmark, but this is a nifty way to find temp data: tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/data_menu.shtml We are working on course revisions and running them by govt. agencies as we speak. Stay tuned on CYL website for course map and segment description. My goal on this course was to make it like a single track mountain bike ride past/over varied terrain, varied sea exposure, and views both above AND below waterline. We are also working on a biological education component because there is so much going on along this route and we want to engage families/support crews every bit as much as swimmers. You really shouldn't have trouble finding a kayak escort who wants to come with you once they see whats in it for them. We're trying hard to figure out how to expand our fleet of available kayaks as that may prove to be a limiting factor.

chaos, Most interesting event in Sweden. Can't help but notice all wearing--wetsuits! What's up with that! Maybe you will educate them as you have me on this odd concept, "cold-acclimated". They also are all towing inflatable geese, with but one kayak and one power boat for the whole lot. Well I know of at least 3 swimmers who are planning to liberate this event from neoprene. I believe the swim was done last year with land based pit stops... where swimmers would need to exit the water to feed. I think as these swims develop and gain in popularity there is an opportunity (and responsibility) to guide them toward traditional marathon swimming rules regarding conduct, support, and attire.

www.pioneervideography.com/.../20110924Redoubt-1157.jpg Off topic I know. Rain is a good thing. Nine miles end to end, Redoubt Lake with a double rainbow, which reminds of the double rainbow that I swam with in the North Sea. Redoubt is the lake in Kris's photo a few posts back that has Camel Mountain (?) in the background. Click once on Kris's photo for a good size image, then click that image to see it at full size. ok, community service announcement over. back to race logisitcs ... (ya know, it's pretty simply. hike in, take off your clothes, put on a cap and goggles, swim, dry off, put your clothes back on, have a bite to eat, hike out)