6 replies to this topic

[RunRunRun23]

I did my first tinman the other week, and had put a lot of effort in to my swim leg, but had done it in the pool.

So I found swimming in Westlakes really overwhelming - the lack of visibility is quite suffocating and it sucked to have people kicking me etc. I started at the back, thinking I'd be really slow, but I was swimming up the back of people and couldn't work out how to get round them, so ended up just hanging back and to do so, I do breaststroke for a lot of it... plenty of room for improvement, that I think can only come with race experience.

Last night I went out to Westlakes (not very local to me) and swam across to the other side and back. At first I felt suffocated again (I think it's the lack of visibility) but about half way out, I stopped and floated for a minute and took in the fact that I was in the middle of West Lakes... and it was awesome. Then the rest of the swim there and back felt great.

I'm going back on Thursday to do it again And this time I'll time myself...

So tell me, does anyone else do this as a training swim? How long does it take you?


Also any tips on how to better swim in a crowd will be appreciated

[AJay]

there are a few clubs (lakers and the vales) who do a lake swim on mon nights 6pm, see their websites for more info.

[miners]

too far away for me to comment on your swim

But as for swimming in packs, you'll find you rely on more surf-swimming techniques than those learnt while pool-swimming. You need to be able to breathe on both sides, be able to lift your head occasionally (and keep stroke), and I reckon it's valuable being able to hold your stroke for long periods if necessary (i.e. rather than breathe every 2nd or 3rd stroke, extend it to 8 or 10 during instances where it gets crowded - helps to prevent getting smacked in the head or losing your goggles).

sighting a buoy or marker in open water requires a bit of thought also. Best to try and work out where the buoys are early on and sight a land-mark behind them. Once you're swimming in the pack, it can get difficult to spot something just above the water-line (particularly if there's swell), whereas a distinctive tree, house or telecommunication tower won't move and can be infinitely easier to spot.

Easiest way to get around the crowds is often through them if you're strong enough. Going around usually ends up taking too much time, and you'll find you've travelled further only to end up in a similar position to where you may have been previously. Without taking this to extremes, often the aggressive, or assertive swimmer will get more clear water.

[cakeboy]

I'll say ditto to what Miners said but also add that if you are stronger than a lot of the others, then maybe start near the front and off to the side a bit then put the gas on early. It will save you from having to swim through the group.

I'm a middle of the road in terms of swimming speed and so I just get behind some big unit who looks like he can swim a bit and sit on their feet ....take a free drag but expect a few kicks to the chops...


BTW I swim in Westlakes a lot due to my outlaws living on the lake. Its a great place to swim once you are used to it but avoid it for 3-4 days after a big rain; all of the storm water in the area drains into it and it can get full or trash and be pretty stirred up.

Cheers Dave

[chilliman]

cakeboy, on Nov 27 2008, 02:10 PM, said:

Its a great place to swim once you are used to it but avoid it for 3-4 days after a big rain;

When was the last time you had a big rain in Adelaide Cakey ?

[cakeboy]

chilliman, on Nov 28 2008, 01:49 PM, said:

When was the last time you had a big rain in Adelaide Cakey ?

yes...safe to say west lakes is pretty clean at the moment.....although we did get 1mm last night....I went outside and watched it with my 19 month old son....he was wondering what was falling from the sky!

[sunny1]

chilliman, on Nov 28 2008, 01:19 PM, said:

When was the last time you had a big rain in Adelaide Cakey ?

I think I could answer that one for you Chilli ... do you want me to start the story again!!