What's your next swim?

13

Comments

  • jkormanikjkormanik Boise, IdahoMember
    @emkhowley ... I may have to try to get to Sandpoint to cheer you on!
  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    edited August 2014
    Not sure if this counts. I searched for a thread along the lines of "What's on your to-do list?" or something like that, but found only this thread.

    I'm here in Kyrgyzstan for a couple years, and I intend on at least trying to arrange two swims here: one in Issyk Kul (the second largest alpine lake in the world and Kyrgyzstan's largest lake) and Son Kul, the country's second largest, and at 3025m above sea level, a challenge for the lungs.

    Here's a video I found by some Brits here in country to give a taste of some of the logistics I'll have to accomplish for Son Kul.

    (Obviously I'm doing the embed thing wrong, so here's a link.)

    http://www.metacafe.com/watch/6899815/son_kul_august_2011/

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • tortugatortuga Senior Member
    Next Sat. Pier 2 Pier - Wrightsville Bch, NC, Next Sun. Swim for the Potomac 10k - Nat'l Harbor, MD....I think I can, I think I can....
  • @IronMike, I lived in Tashkent for 2 years and Ashgabat for 9 months. I travelled all over CIS for more than 10 years including going to Issyk Kul with my wife though I didn't swim as winter was already closing in with ice on the roads. It a wonderful part of the world with good and warm people, make the most of your time there. Enjoy.
  • @tortuga, see you at the Swim for the Potomac. October 4th, I have the To the Bridge and Back 10 miler in Virginia. After that, I'll have to see how hooked I am to find out what to train for next.
  • flystormsflystorms Memphis, TNSenior Member
    So excited to take a friend to her first OW swim in a lake in Arkansas next weekend. It's only a mile, but for her, it's epic. She never thought of herself as a "real swimmer" and after I kept asking her what event she would like to do, she kept saying to me, "Slow lane! I don't do events!" But she broke down and trained like hell for this.

    But I had to crack up yesterday. We swam out to a local island and she went the furthest she's ever been, and as it turns out, was close to 2500m. She's already talking about doing a 2400m OW swim next month when I do a 5k to finish out the season. So she hasn't done her first race yet and she's ready to do her next one already.

    I'm grinning.
  • What's my next swim ? maybe someone could suggest something for me.
    I'm based in the UK south east. Obviously there's the EC which is an ambition of mine but not yet ready physically or financially and I need I need to experience some long swims. I have never belonged to a club, not been coached and don't know any swimmers so I'm a bit of a billy no mates in that department. I was going to enter the Eton 10k but saved myself £40 and just timed myself at my local open water at 3hrs 10 mins. At the end I felt I could have gone on for much longer and I recovered very quickly. The 3 mile home was not difficult.
    Any ideas where I can go from here ?
    Thanks.
  • ZoeSadlerZoeSadler Charter Member
    edited September 2014
    Hi @goneswimmin

    I'm also based in the UK south east. The obvious swim that springs to mind is Windermere. It's 10.5 miles, a lovely swim with lots to look at but it's not an easy one. Or if 10.5 miles is not enough for you, do the double!

    Also I would suggest Ullswater, Bala and many of the other BLDSA swims. None of these suggested swims will break the bank in an EC sort of way.

    I was also thinking of entering the Eton 10K in a couple of weeks. I know lots of open water swimmers in the south east - send me a message if you want some ideas. (I do my own open water training at Reading Lake and Dover harbour).

    Edit: Should probably add. My next swim is a 3 person EC relay next week and (hopefully) Loch Lomond in 2015.
  • Good luck next week Zoe!
  • swim around charleston 21 Sep
  • mpfmarkmpfmark Teesside England Charter Member
    Buttermere to finish the season just a few laps
    2015 start with 2s4l
    Wykeham 5k
    Coniston 2 way 10m
    Maybe something bigger in Scotland ?
  • looking at doing Robben Island next year...
  • 2015 - Kingdom 10 Mile swim. Just signed up. Now I gotta figure all of this out. :)
    Cole_G

    Excellence is born of preparation, dedication, focus and tenacity; compromise on any of these and you become average.

  • SpacemanspiffSpacemanspiff Dallas, TexasSenior Member
    I might be attempting this swim in Cozumel, Mexico on January 1. But many stars must align for it to happen. The higher priority on the week will be 4 dives between 250' and 400' and there is an open debate over the effects of aerobic exercise before this sort of diving. Most studies indicate moderate exercise widens the safety margin, some indicate "excessive" exercise (whatever that means) narrows it, but all agree (1) it has "an effect" on the body's ability to process inert gas bubbles and (2) decompression science at these depths is still in the trial and error phase and the error penalty is high. So I'm going wait until after I'm done with diving for the week, which pretty much leaves me one day.

    Also, the locals are a bit touchy about OWS (or any activity outside of the roped off swimming areas, choked with inflatable playgrounds and herds of cruise passengers bobbing around in mandatory orange life jackets), so I'll have to also successfully evade detection at the insertion point. There's usually 1 or 2 Mexican soldiers sporting AKs patrolling along Punta Sur (drug interdiction?). I've never actually been forbidden to swim from Punta Sur, but I've never asked, either. I just wait until no one is looking.

    The last variable is fitness. Haven't gone over 4 miles since the Suck. Shouldn't be a problem, but I'm going to do a pool 10K sometime between now and then to see how I feel. And then there's the possibility that some combination of alcohol and/or gambling on New Year's Eve might interfere. :D

    But if the weather, my gear, fitness, self-control and ninja skills all perform as planned, I'm going to swim from Punta Sur to our rental property, approximately 12K. I've done many OW swims along this shoreline over the last 30+ years, and there's a pretty decent current assist most of the time (not sure of the actual speed, but somewhere between pleasantly noticeable and "I'm swimming like a boss!"). Water is pool clear and there's plenty of interesting things to look at. I'll be accompanied only by my trusty ISHOF.

    3JVD6DFK71E8.jpg
    One of these years, I'd like to cross the channel to Playa del Carmen. Sadly, it would not be a first crossing..
    IronMikelakespray

    "Lights go out and I can't be saved
    Tides that I tried to swim against
    Have brought be down upon my knees
    Oh I beg, I beg and plead..."

  • ttriventtriven Senior Member
    Just got a whopper of a credit card charge that says NYC swim events, so I guess it's actually happening. I will be on the slower end of the pack on MIMS race day 2015. Therefore I would love to talk to someone who has done it before so I can be as prepared as possible. I kind of understand the new guidelines. But I don't understand them well enough to know whether I am actually now more at risk (of not finishing) by going on race day, as opposed to a solo date. I'm nervous. Maybe more than I need to be.
    j9swimAnthonyMcCarleySpacemanspiff
  • j9swimj9swim CharlestonSenior Member
    Congratulations @ttriven! there are better people here to answer your questions on the actual race (i've swam relay and observed) but i'm a local nyc city girl if you have any other questions please feel free to reach out.
    Spacemanspiff
  • KatieBunKatieBun CornwallSenior Member
    My next one will be Zurich. After that I'll be looking at Catalina.
    SydneD
  • lakespraylakespray Senior Member
    @Spacemanspiff I've done two dive trips to Cozumel, stayed at the Villablanca Garden Hotel both times. I've just walked out to the dock that Papa Hog and Scuba Mau uses and just jumped in and started swimming. Boat traffic is busy there but at certain regular times of the day it slackens off. I swam a circuit around some anchored boats that looked like they wouldn't be moving anytime soon. I would also swim during the service intervals between dives. I used Papa Hogs and they could have cared less other then be back to the boat by X time, it is Mexico after all. They did think I was a bit Coocoo. I swam slow basic endurance pace. The swim you purpose should be fast with the current, especially if you get out into the channel a little. I'm also guessing with a little leg work you could also hire a small escort boat or yak as once again it is Mexico tourist destination and everyone is trying to make a little scratch. Wish I was going with. I've always wanted some race promoter to do a 10K down there in the winter months. Not that I'd need an excuse to go but would love mix diving and a event. Not sure on the decompression thing either but had no issues at the moderate paces I swam with 10-dives in 5 days.
  • SpacemanspiffSpacemanspiff Dallas, TexasSenior Member
    @lakespray all good points. Swam that current many times over the years (including one 2-hour involuntary swim in full dive gear!). I try to find the sweet spot just far enough out to surf the current but not far enough to get into the "dive boat highway." Even so, I've been on the receiving end of some fairly animated tongue-lashings from Mexican boat captains. While my Spanish isn't completely reliable, I'm fairly certain they weren't asking directions. Based on past experience, the push along my planned route is typically varies somewhere between 1-2 mph. Should be a pleasant cruise...
    AnthonyMcCarley

    "Lights go out and I can't be saved
    Tides that I tried to swim against
    Have brought be down upon my knees
    Oh I beg, I beg and plead..."

  • SpacemanspiffSpacemanspiff Dallas, TexasSenior Member
    Update: Mission accomplished! But I went "upstream." I drove to Punta Sur at 6:30, but I discovered they now have the road blocked with a large iron gate and a guard shack. The guard would not let me in. Said it was now a national park and it didn't open until 10:00. Said I couldn't swim outside of the swim area anyway. I offered a substantial bribe, but he didn't budge. It was at least 2 miles from the gate to the point, and there were 6 foot waves crashing all the way from the public beach to the point where my swim would begin, so I opted to not swim to the start. I went home rather discouraged. I decided to do an out and back, but I didn't expect I would go half-way, since I'd be swimming into a stiff current on the out. I started out hugging the shore to avoid the current, but I knew I'd have to come off the shore after the first 2K in order to take the most direct route.

    Current wasn't terrible, so I made it half way (6.2K). I stopped and floated for a bit, and considered going all the way to Punta Sur against the current. I had never considered this to even be possible, so I (as usual) was under-provisioned. I only brought enough food/water for a 2.5 hour swim, but I was already at 2 hours and only half-way (against the current, I was only able to manage around a 2:10 pace). I had about half a water bottle and maybe 150 calories of feeds. My kid-friendly, spray-on sunscreen had undoubtedly washed off by now, and the sun was shining brightly directly overhead. Plus, I had no "exit strategy." My family was not expecting a pick-up and I didn't have a phone to call. I figured I could sort that out later and I rolled over and attempted to swim to Punta Sur against the current. As I rounded the penultimate peninsula an hour or so later, the nature of the swim changed dramatically. It went from relatively flat and calm, to a stiff wind and 3-4 foot swells. I had not factored in this possibility when I hastily decided to attempt this. It was rough. Mentally and physically. I tried to do the math of continuing vs. turning around while struggling to find any sort of rhythm. Eventually I spotted the light house. Once I had the goal within sight, everything became easier. I focused on quieting my brain and body and tried to assume a meditative state. Eventually I was on the beach. The last 2K took almost an hour.

    A life guard with a set of binoculars met me immediately and demanded to know where I had come from. He did not believe me and called in his supervisor. El Jeffe asked why I didn't have the wristband adorning the 200 or so red-life-jacket-wearing cruise-ship passengers thrashing about in the surf. I tried to explain that I had not encountered anyone selling wristbands at sea. Eventually I found myself surrounded by a small crowd of officials, one of whom appeared to be a policeman. They said I had to pay $14 to be on that beach. I pulled a soggy $20 out of my ISHOF and insisted I would surrender only the balance remaining after a plate of carne asada nachos and an ice cold Pacifico. Eventually, they relented. I ate my nachos and was escorted to the cab stand, clad only in my long hair, sunburn and polka-dotted Speedo. I shared a van with a family from Houston and a honey mooning couple from Brooklyn. They gave me my own bench and didn't ask any questions...

    Also, I ended up doing this in the middle of my trip, not the end. So it was before the deepest of my deep dives. Despite theories to the contrary, intense aerobic activity within 24-hours of a hypoxic decompression dive, caused no ill affects at all (except that my shoulders were a bit fatigued carrying the extra 200 lbs of gear). Dive went perfectly. Here is a pic of my computer at our max depth of 400 feet.[img][/img]IZXR7I356KR7.jpg
    wendyv34AnthonyMcCarleyswimdailytortugaphodgeszohomolly1205

    "Lights go out and I can't be saved
    Tides that I tried to swim against
    Have brought be down upon my knees
    Oh I beg, I beg and plead..."

  • msathletemsathlete Victoria, British Colubia, CanadaMember
    I was wondering if anyone knows of any +50km solo swims taking place in 2015?
  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    Now that I'm back in the pool, I'm thinking of BLDSA's one-way Windermere in August. :-SS

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    IronMike wrote: »
    Now that I'm back in the pool, I'm thinking of BLDSA's one-way Windermere in August. :-SS

    Nevermind, apparently there are two prerequisites for Windermere: Do a 5.5 mile swim between March and the date of the swim (Aug 29th) and do a BLDSA swim. I seriously doubt my boss will let me take two trips out of country this year, so I'll have to look for another swim somewhere else. :((

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • Cole_GCole_G PhiladelphiaMember
    My next swim is SCAR! It is gonna be quite tough, especially since the longest swim I have ever done is 10 miles, and I have almost no access to open water before the race in May. I am really looking forward to the challenge though :)
    j9swim
  • SteveWalkerSteveWalker San FranciscoMember

    Ned said:
    Jersey > France in September

    Impressive. That sounds like a really fun swim! ..Steve

  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member

    Maraton Raslina, a 5K in....wait for it.....Raslina, Croatia!

    tortuga

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • HollyTHollyT Member

    I'm in for the Swim for Alligator Lighthouse in September, training a lot as I recover from my back surgery.
    Also super duper excited that I seem to have roped my sister into a 1.2 mile ocean swim in Rhode Island. Not a marathon event but a first for her.

  • SydneDSydneD Senior Member

    Did Alligator Lighthouse last year. Get ready for those pesky jellies!

  • ryanmdaltonryanmdalton San Francisco, CAMember

    Hoping to do a width crossing of Lake Tahoe (10-14m, depending on route) in June and a swim from Santa Cruz Island to the mainland (19m) in early October. These are my first marathon swims and I'm very excited to make them happen. I'd love any advice from those of you who have done these swims before.

    BloodBank
  • bruckbruck San FranciscoMember
    edited May 2015

    Sounds like a great summer! Santa Cruz Island is ambitious for a first marathon swim. Have you seen the names on that list? Yudovin, Murphy, Denison, McConica, Tina Neill, etc. Good company.

    What topics are you seeking advice about?

  • HollyTHollyT Member

    SydneD said:
    Did Alligator Lighthouse last year. Get ready for those pesky jellies!

    Yes, I was there last year as well. Nasty little buggers.

  • MvGMvG MauritiusCharter Member

    Dear all,
    I'd like to announce my next swim, also my main goal for 2015: an attempt at a three-way crossing (66 kms) of the IJsselmeer in the Netherlands, following the traditional 22-kms trajectory of the annual Stavoren-to-Medemblik marathon event. 

    Over the past 48 years many Dutch and international swimmers have participated in the annual single crossing race. Five people, including myself, have managed two-way crossings (44 kms) of the Ijsselmeer. But a triple crossing has never before been achieved nor, to the best of my knowledge, attempted.

    Weather permitting, the attempt will take place in the last week of August.  We will start from Stavoren harbour to Medemblik, back to Stavoren and back to finish in Medemblik. I expect the swim to last around 20 hours Deo volente. The usual Channel swimming rules will be adhered to, with an independent observer on board. Marcel van der Togt will as always be coaching me. Further news will be posted on the Open Water Swimming Club's website and Facebook page.

    Best,
    Milko

    IronMikemsathlete
  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member

    Good luck Milko!

    MvG

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • My next swim ... crewing for Amanda H at Memphremegog. Stil a little burned out from MIMS and just trying to lose the baby fat... ( at 55 you'd think it'd be gone by now!)
    Very excited to be able to crew.

    msathleteNoelFigartJustSwimdc_in_sf
  • wattersonwatterson Pittsburgh, PA USANew Member
    edited April 2021

    I will be swimming a 3-mile in Downingtown PA in May, but it is more of an excuse to visit family. I am training for the Three Rivers Marathon Swim, in Pittsburgh on Sept. 11 2021. That is a 30k river swim, organized by Darren Miller. I am slightly over 20k a week, mainly in the pool. Month of May will be 25k+, June 30k+, July 35k+. Slowly building trying to prevent injury.

    MLambySolomiklcctJustSwimdankeschoennnthelittlemerwookie
  • MvGMvG MauritiusCharter Member

    Bristol Channel (Mid-Channel Route, appr. 27 kms) - 13 July (no windows in the BC, only fixed dates, which is an interesting combination with British weather...).

    After EC and NC the BC is the last swim I need to complete the UK 3 Channel Challenge, until very recently known as the 'Original Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming'. I will also attempt to beat Kamil Resa Alsaran's fastest overall time of 40h23m for all three crossings together.

    Feels a bit peculiar to write this as I am sitting on a couch, coughing and feverish with Covid-19. But announcing this stuff is a good mood-lifter :-).

    (By the way a big thank you to the Marathon Swimmers Federation and not least Evan for keeping the MSF's LongSwims database up to date and reliable, an amazing labor of love for the benefit of so many swimmers. The recent updates on the Brstol Channel and the UK3CC have added much-needed clarity - thanks!)

    evmoMLambyKatieBunj9swimJSwimCazzwimStephenkejoycethelittlemerwookie
  • miklcctmiklcct London, United KingdomMem​ber

    For me,

    Vidösternsimmet - postponed from 2020
    BLDSA Windermere afterwards
    Finally a Channel relay at the end of the season.

    And I'll decide if I'll give up swimming by then. Before that I'll not plan for anything in 2023 or beyond as I want to clear the list such that I can make a decision to leave the sport or not.

    MvG
  • CazzwimCazzwim UK.New Member

    @MvG best of luck with the Bristol Channel and indeed the triple crown. I too have a crossing in my sights, though nothing booked yet! I'm currently lying in bed with Covid too! However I'm fortunate as my bedroom looks out across said channel to England! It's a view that taunts and tantalises me on a daily basis!

    MvGj9swim
  • miklcctmiklcct London, United KingdomMem​ber

    @Cazzwim said:
    @MvG best of luck with the Bristol Channel and indeed the triple crown. I too have a crossing in my sights, though nothing booked yet! I'm currently lying in bed with Covid too! However I'm fortunate as my bedroom looks out across said channel to England! It's a view that taunts and tantalises me on a daily basis!

    If I really live at the place you describe I'll swim that channel every year.

    The willingness for me to swim a certain channel is mostly related how far I live from there.

  • marbergmarberg NorwayNew Member

    2k Open Water race in august.
    my first ow race, really stoked :)

    Kate_Alexanderj9swimcurlyCazzwimthelittlemerwookiewendyv34akswimOpenh2o
  • j9swimj9swim CharlestonSenior Member

    O'Crud a sweet little 10k season opener in Charlotte NC and the season builds from there if all goes well, going with old friends and as always hoping to make new ones! Swim Happy Y'all

    thelittlemerwookieOpenh2o
  • MvGMvG MauritiusCharter Member

    I am aiming to complete two Triple Crowns in one Summer this year with two swims:

    • Around Manhattan/20 Bridges for the Triple Crown;
    • Bristol Channel - Middle Route (Glenthorne to Porthcawl), 2nd week of July, for the Original Triple Crown. Seond attempt.
    KatieBunLakeBaggerj9swimBogdanZ
  • BillyChambersBillyChambers OhioNew Member
    edited April 2023

    I'm extremely excited to be doing some longer distance swims this summer! Seeing this forums inspired me to get back to training full time during covid and now I'll hopefully reap the benefits:

    I will be doing the 10k Swim to the Moon in MI, 25k Swim the Kingdom Boarder Buster in VT, and (still need to sign up but registration is not open yet) the Great Ohio River Swim + the Double Dip in OH.

    Big summer with a lot of swimming, but I am excited!

    j9swimevmoLakeBaggerthelittlemerwookieBogdanZOpenh2o
  • BogdanZBogdanZ Bucharest, RomaniaSenior Member

    Hi! I am looking at doing a 10k in Paris, in June after a stop at Disneyland :blush:
    In July I will participate at Ultra Ebre, in Spain and late August I will attempt a new route in the Mediterranean, Italy, for over 35k. For the later I found a skipper, travel booked, I am looking for a second knowledgeable local and hope to get it approved with coast guard. Will see how it ends :lol:

    j9swimevmothelittlemerwookieMvGOpenh2o
  • KatieBunKatieBun CornwallSenior Member

    I've retired from long distances so I'm just doing my favourite river swim, the Jubilee 10k, in June, followed by Torbay, (Meadfoot - Brixham - Meadfoot) 8 miler in July and Ullswater, (7.5 miles) in August.

    evmothelittlemerwookieMvGBogdanZ
  • brunobruno Barcelona (Spain)Senior Member

    @BogdanZ said:
    In July I will participate at Ultra Ebre, in Spain

    I've swum it twice, and twice more been kayaking for friends. The first 17 km are the most fun I've ever swum: 3 km/h current, 1 m draft (last year they had to cover 20 meters running on a sand bank!), crystal clear water, algae to be zigzagged... I wrote a review in my blog, https://dieciseisgrados.com/2018/07/13/travesia-ultraebre-2018-swim-and-flow/ (in Spanish, sorry) including an interactive map with featured points. Feel free to contact me if you need information.

    If you are around a few more days, the 22nd July the is the Baixada del Renaixement https://baixadadelrenaixemt.wixsite.com/baixadarenaixement , a swim covering the first half of Ultraebre; same fun for a just 2 hours swim. I try to swim it every year.

    And the week before Ultraebre, on the 1st July, there is this simple yet great 15 km swim https://www.instagram.com/15kmostwanted/ , just 1.5 hours drive heading north. I'll swim it for the 3rd year in a row. Good test before Ultraebre!

    BogdanZMvG
  • brunobruno Barcelona (Spain)Senior Member

    My brother convinced me to do a triathlon in May, therefore a lot of riding and running this year (it's a half iron man distance), not much swimming. I don't think I'll do it again!, as it has kept me away from the water for too long...

    BogdanZMvG
  • BogdanZBogdanZ Bucharest, RomaniaSenior Member

    @bruno thank you! I look forward reading your review. Unfortunately i don't have that much time, to be there before or after, but there are some great Spanish swims I have on my list, so will be back :blush:

    MvG
  • ryansryans northern VirginiaMember

    Hi everyone,
    I'll be swimming the GCBS next month. 12 mile Fingerlakes swim in July and then the 25k Swim the Kingdom Border Buster two weeks later. I welcome any/all thoughts feedback from those who have swam the BB or swims of 25k or longer. thanks!

    MvG
  • marysingermarysinger Vashon, WANew Member

    Hi @ryans - I swam the Border Buster last year. It was a great event. Happy to answer any questions. What is the GCBS?

    Swimmersuz
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