In St. Augustine Beach area for February and March and thinking about some triathlons. I see most triathlons around the area are done in lakes or rivers. Does anyone know what the typical inland water temps are in that area for Feb-March? Thinking it’s probably wetsuit legal. Looking at the Space Coast Tri in cocoa, fl, any other Tri or Du that should be looked into?
That’s the only race I’m aware of in the northeast coast of FL during Feb/March. Space Coast Tri swim is in the Indian River and it will not be warm. Won’t be freezing cold either. No doubt be wetsuit legal.
Also, St. Aug and Cocoa Beach aren’t exactly close to each other. 2.5 hour drive.
This race is in Clermont which is basically same distance from St. Aug as Cocoa Beach: https://sommersportsevents.com/article/adventhealth-41st-annual-great-clermont-triathlon
Thanks. I was looking at some races in Clermont also. Appreciate the heads up on the distance, it didn’t look that far on the map!
St. Augustine is north Florida and Cocoa is central Florida. It’s a straight shot down 95 and isn’t a bad drive. Getting to Clermont from St. Augustine is more aggravating. I’m looking at the Space Coast race myself. I’ve raced down there before and I love the area. The Indian River will be cool and very much wetsuit legal but it won’t be frigid by any means. The Clermont races are well done and quality races. I’m not a huge fan of that area, though, and I haven’t raced there in a while.
RP
Getting anywhere in Florida that’s not on or very near to 95, 10, 75, or 4 is annoying as hell. Clermont has the added annoyance of having to navigate through Orlando.
Cocoa is an easy drive from the St. Aug area.
I love Florida. I live in southeastern Georgia, about 100 miles northwest of Jacksonville. I do most of my races in Florida. I wanted to race in Sarasota today but I couldn’t make it work. I used to drive a semi truck into Florida - three trips a week from South Georgia to a variety of places on both sides south of Lake Okechobee. I loved being down there. I’m a reptile guy and thoroughly enjoyed the iguanas, gators, and snakes. There are some crazy birds down there, too. I could draw a line through Orlando in both directions and I could live anywhere below that line. My family has no interest in joining me though.
I love racing down there from October to January. It’s a great way to finish the season.
RP
The Cocoa race in March is nice. Ive done the duathlon a few times. Its been a wetsuit swim for the triathletes every time.
Great race atmosphere etc…
Unfortunately, the Sommer Sports events have gone really down hill. They also are no longer doing the full distance at Great Floridian in OCT or the 70.3 in March.
To the OP, One race that is pretty fun, and gets a lot of positive feedback is the Cherry Lake Du. I believe the date this year is FEB 10.
If you end up in the Clermont area to race or train, send me a PM and we can link up.
I’m a reptile guy and thoroughly enjoyed the iguanas, gators, and snakes.
Are there measures taken to minimize interactions between gators/snakes and humans during these races?
I realize this is off topic, but this was my first thought when I read this thread.
No alligators or snakes are going to be near a large group of people gathering for a race. The native wildlife flees from people. If there was a stubborn alligator hanging around the swim start when volunteers got there, they’d get it shoo’d away. And when the swimmers hit the water, everything would flee.
To my knowledge, none of the deaths/injuries during triathlons have come from wildlife.
I’ve been racing in Florida and Georgia for 23 years. I’ve only had one animal interaction during that time - a baby water snake decided to move through the athletes at the swim start of a sprint race in Cordele, Ga., many years ago. I caught it and removed it right before we all hit the water. Just makes you swim a little faster. lol
RP
I didnt have any issues with snakes or gators in the duathlon. 
I’m a reptile guy and thoroughly enjoyed the iguanas, gators, and snakes.
Are there measures taken to minimize interactions between gators/snakes and humans during these races?
I realize this is off topic, but this was my first thought when I read this thread.
https://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Florida_triathlete_fights_off_alligator_attack_1351.html
No alligators or snakes are going to be near a large group of people gathering for a race. The native wildlife flees from people. If there was a stubborn alligator hanging around the swim start when volunteers got there, they’d get it shoo’d away. And when the swimmers hit the water, everything would flee.
To my knowledge, none of the deaths/injuries during triathlons have come from wildlife.
I’ve been racing in Florida and Georgia for 23 years. I’ve only had one animal interaction during that time - a baby water snake decided to move through the athletes at the swim start of a sprint race in Cordele, Ga., many years ago. I caught it and removed it right before we all hit the water. Just makes you swim a little faster. lol
RP
Thanks.
I didnt have any issues with snakes or gators in the duathlon.
This would be the option for me in that locale.
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...tor_attack_1351.html
I will exclusively be racing north of the Mason Dixon line for the forseeable future.
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...tor_attack_1351.html
I will exclusively be racing north of the Mason Dixon line for the forseeable future.
.
Can’t leave without hitting this open water Swim up
Truly awesome
Free
Safe
Decades of history
The Cherry Lake Du looks interesting. I’m going to bring all my stuff to do a Du or Tri. I drive an hour and a half to some races so the distance from St. Augustine beach doesn’t seem that bad.
Can’t leave without hitting this open water Swim up
Truly awesome
Free
Safe
Decades of history
Oh thanks, that looks great, definitely worth a look.
Can’t leave without hitting this open water Swim up
Truly awesome
Free
Safe
Decades of history
Oh thanks, that looks great, definitely worth a look.
It’s outside Orlando though. Driving four hours round trip to swim in a lake when you’ll be minutes from the ocean seems kind of silly.