Anyone have any inside scoop on whether the lake will be too warm for wetsuits?
They will do EVERYTHING within their power to make it wetsuit legal. Bring it.
Last MO fishing report indicated 83F. I raced OWS Aug. 27 and it was way too warm for the wetsuit. Given the history, they will find temp 75.9 somewhere even in a different state and call it legal. It was done in the past.
Lots of cool (45-50) degree nights lately and the same for the next week will bring the water temps down really quick. I would bet on a wetsuit swim.
The water temperature a little farther north here at the Lake of the Ozarks is now 80-81 degrees. That’s down from about 84 in just the past week. Cool nighttime temperatures are the key to falling water temps, and they’re expected to continue for the next week. Clouds and rain also contribute, but don’t count on either of those for the next week.
The 83-degree temperature reported at Table Rock Lake was measured on August 30th, which was before the sharp cooldown in our weather that started on September 3rd. (http://extra.mdc.mo.gov/fish/fishrt/) There’s no doubt that the current water temperature is at least several degrees lower than that. And with continuing cool nighttime temperatures in the coming week, it’s sure to fall even more.
One more thing. These reported temperatures are taken at the surface of the water. USAT rules say that the water temperatures should be taken 18" below the surface at three locations on the swim course. I went swimming in the Lake of the Ozarks on Tuesday night, and the water temperature a couple feet down must be at least 5 degrees cooler than at the surface. The lower water will further help remove the heat from the surface water as they mix.
Long story short: Bring your wetsuit.
I was in Table Rock yesterday and the water is cooling off rapidly. It’s now about 75 degrees. Will hold between 70-75 the rest of the week.
Just got to Branson…I would plan on a wetsuit swim…evening temps are getting cooler and are suppose to stay cool throughout the week. Bike and Run course look great…roads are in perfect condition and we are looking forward to another great race!
Almost forgot how epic this bike course is…nothing else quite like it!
I will advise people that this lake seems to have lots of pockets of warm water and was overall a bit warm last year even though it was wetsuit legal. If you are a good swimmer i would just go with a swim skin to be honest. Last year i did a saturday warmup swim in just a speedo and thought the water was quite nice, after 500-750m it was even a bit warm, the swim was wetsuit legal on sunday and i was a bit warm at the end.
So bummed. My first DNS.
Is there a lot of wildlife in the area? I hit a squirrel last week and went down on my bike. Would hate to hit something again on race day!
Is there a lot of wildlife in the area? I hit a squirrel last week and went down on my bike. Would hate to hit something again on race day!
Tom, I wouldn’t worry about the squirrels but you’ve really got to watch out for the snipe in that area. I plan to take some 70.3 first timers snipe hunting the night before the race just to make sure we cut down on the population in the immediate area of the race. If your not too busy with last minute race preparation you’re more than welcome to join. I’ll make sure to have an extra gunnysack and flashlight for you.
My first DNS as well, IT band syndrome took me out of action for the entire summer, was hoping to nab a vegas spot.
Might be able to join you as Ryan does all the work for the race. I really just come in to sing on race morning! 
See you in Branson. Z
Just as long as that weird guy in the hippie shirt doesn’t sing the anthem. He was in Disney, talk about a train wreck.
Can anyone confirm that the athlete guide is correct when it lists “gatorade” for the run drink…as opposed to Perform??
Thanks!
I can’t find informaiton on shuttles from Landing to Swim start. Also, is there a parking map? I thought I saw one from years prior.
Thanks!
Gatorade is on the course at the K=Swiss IM 70.3 Branson race. Z
Agreed - should be banned from singing at races!
I understand there is no “sponsored pre-race swim” but will folks be out at Table Rock ‘testing the waters’ on Saturday?
There is a protected swim area at the park, it’s been cold here and the surface temp this afternoon was just under 76 degrees.