your three favorite open water swims... and why?
by all means, feel free to include personal experiences, e.g. your english channel swim, but try to note three race events that we might register for in 2012.
my three to be elaborated on later are;
Donner Lake Swim, Truckee, CA
Highland Lakes Challenge, Austin, TX
Pennock Island Challenge, Ketchikan, AK
Honorable mentions;
Low Country Splash, Charleston, SC
San Francisco Swims
New York City Swims - NYCSwim & CIBBOWS
1) La Jolla Rough Water Swim -- I love the all ages atmosphere and watching the Garibadli fish as I race
2) Polson Bay Water Daze (Montana) -- a collander of fresh cherries for the winner, a great BBQ @ the finish and the chance to swim in the most beautiful lake, Flathead Lake, and hang out in my favorite summer part of the world
A tough call for #3 ... Not sure I can pick another above the rest
2) Polson Bay Water Daze (Montana) -- a collander of fresh cherries for the winner, a great BBQ @ the finish and the chance to swim in the most beautiful lake, Flathead Lake, and hang out in my favorite summer part of the world
This is the 1-miler, on same Sat. as the Long Bridge Swim in Sandpoint?
Flathead is indeed a lovely lake to swim in, from my limited experience at a camping ground on the W side. (It was near a cherry stand!)
My favorites require no driving, and no registration. :)
But that is a different thread.
Hard to improve on Chaos's list. Evmo? Many swims on W Coast, and in Pacific Northwest. Pennock Island Challenge sounds like a hoot, with a blossoming Sitka Sound swim as chaser.
I'm curious if there are any racers that factor in drafting (positively or negatively) when thinking of their 3 favorite, or if 'lots of body-contact' is a plus. Maybe drafting is a subject for another thread, but how/when did drafting become acceptable? drafting was forbidden as late as 1987, even in triathlons, even in bicycling, even at pro/world class competitions.
evidence: youtube.com/watch?v=sFkAhs4vAsk
as much as one may seek to equate 'open water swims' with 'races', races are first and foremost just that, races. ditto if 'races' is replaced with 'events'. ever the more so when organizers permit/promote drafting, rough-and-tumble, wetsuits, etc, ... not that there is anything wrong with adulterations, i like my eggnog spiked too. but i'm not speaking metaphorically. when it comes to swimming, i'll take mine straight up: my 3 favorite involved solitude and wilderness.
The best swims are those that emerge from the human imagination... those that occur when a person decides, "I want to swim from X to Y (and perhaps back to X again) because it would be crazy/fun/cool thing to do."
Among organized races, my favorite (non-marathon distance) is the Cascade Lakes Festival in Elk Lake, Oregon. It's actually 5 races - a whole weekend of open-water fun! My favorite marathon swim is MIMS - truly an unforgettable experience.
Swims highest on my bucket list? Short/mid distance: La Jolla & Waikiki Roughwater Swims, Tiburon Mile, Point to LaPointe, Horsetooth 10K. Marathon swims: Pennock Island, Boston Light, Capri-Napoli, Rottnest Channel, Faros Maratón.
And there are a few percolating in my imagination...
Well as varied as the OW is, its impossible to narrow it down to 3 favorites without imposing some restrictions or categorization.... so....
Top 3 Events >5k unescorted:
Little Red Lighthouse
Golden Gate to Bay Bridge
Chesapeake Bay
Top 3 Events up to 5k:
Big Shoulders
Coney Island Aquarium 5k
Governor's Island
Top 3 Multi-stage Events
8 Bridges Hudson River Swim
Highland Lakes Challenge
Lake Quassapaug Open Water Swimming Festival
Top 3, 10 mile or less escorted:
Boston Lighthouse
Maui Channel
Kingdom
There are many other "local" swims that have been perennial favorites of mine as part of a full OW season. I think the ones I've listed are worth traveling for
The best swims are those that emerge from the human imagination... those that occur when a person decides, "I want to swim from X to Y (and perhaps back to X again) because it would be crazy/fun/cool thing to do."
+1
Chicago - Big Shoulders cuz it's close
Nobilsville 5K cuz it's warmer water than Lake Mich. in chicago.
Fox lake open water swim cuz I like the taste of gas/oil ??
It's not even fair when Chaos chimes in.
Years ago there was The Dammed Catawba River Challenge here in the Charlotte metro area. This was a Summer long series that featured races in the three large local lakes fed by the Catawba River (Norman, Mtn. Island, and Wylie). It was well run and the prizes were good.
A great newer race is the annual race at Lake Lure, which is the home of the USMS One Mile Open Water Championship in 2012. It is beautiful up at Lake Lure. I highly encourage attendance.
