Whatever came of that part of the SwimStart program? Just kind of die off?
I passed one on the backside of the swim course on Sunday in Madison. Dunno how many were out there though…
We put them out in the swim courses at each race in the US. Z
How many? Do they get much use? 70.3s too? I always thought it was a good idea, but have never heard a peep about them since the initial uproar of how it softens the sport.
It looked like just the one at the 1/2 way point. It might be for mental benefit as much as anything…especially in a WS legal swim. I think it’s part of that “Swim Safe” program that they are doing. The real goal is so more people sign up for IM events even if they are weak swimmers. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. We don;t need folks panicing and drowning. If that makes them more relaxed and comfortable having it out there. Then it’s done it’s job.
We put out 3-4 on each course, depending on the water conditions and the shape of the swim. I’ve seen them used by athletes during the race - they stop and adjust their goggles or just stop for a short rest. Athletes can also do this at the buoys, but the rafts have a rope that is easy to grab and hang on. Z
We put out 3-4 on each course, depending on the water conditions and the shape of the swim. I’ve seen them used by athletes during the race - they stop and adjust their goggles or just stop for a short rest. Athletes can also do this at the buoys, but the rafts have a rope that is easy to grab and hang on. Z
Great safety device for the race.
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They say more people fall over cliffs that are fenced off, than those that are left unprotected.
I am not sure it is wise to provide additional support to those who can barely swim, but who want to complete an Ironman.
When I was a lifeguard, we made kids pass a swim test before we let them go off the diving board. We did not let them go off just because they had floaties.
Then again, it only cost $1.00 to get into the pool and we were not handing out medals.
That is a bit of a shame. I am sure some parents would pay quite handsomely for a “Best Little Diver” award- even if the kid cannot technically swim yet.
Stupid government pools - don’t know ho to do anything right.
They say more people fall over cliffs that are fenced off, than those that are left unprotected.
I am not sure it is wise to provide additional support to those who can barely swim, but who want to complete an Ironman.
When I was a lifeguard, we made kids pass a swim test before we let them go off the diving board. We did not let them go off just because they had floaties.
Then again, it only cost $1.00 to get into the pool and we were not handing out medals.
That is a bit of a shame. I am sure some parents would pay quite handsomely for a “Best Little Diver” award- even if the kid cannot technically swim yet.
Stupid government pools - don’t know ho to do anything right.
You are assuming folks that want to use these cannot swim.
What if I get a cramp during the swim?
What if I get a panic attack during the swim?
What if I get hit during the swim and injured?
I know how to swim. But things can happen that may be out of my control. To assume these are only needed for non swimmers means you have no idea what plans a RD has to put
in place for things that may no go as planned on race day.
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They say more people fall over cliffs that are fenced off, than those that are left unprotected.
I am not sure it is wise to provide additional support to those who can barely swim, but who want to complete an Ironman.
When I was a lifeguard, we made kids pass a swim test before we let them go off the diving board. We did not let them go off just because they had floaties.
Then again, it only cost $1.00 to get into the pool and we were not handing out medals.
That is a bit of a shame. I am sure some parents would pay quite handsomely for a “Best Little Diver” award- even if the kid cannot technically swim yet.
Stupid government pools - don’t know ho to do anything right.
Couldn’t agree with you more.
Great points. Someone I know very well who has swam numerous 70 minute IM swims (I know this isn’t crazy fast, but the point is he can swim just fine) had a pretty hard panic attack at an IM and had to hang on to a kayak for like 5 minutes to relax before he could continue.
Lots of things can go awry in the water. I don’t see why having a protection device or two softens the sport or encourages weaklings to try it.
It’s a double edge sword. Even good swimmers could need these should something go wrong. However the way they’re being marketed by IM makes me think they’re trying to draw weak swimmers to the distance, like you say.
It’s a double edge sword. Even good swimmers could need these should something go wrong. However the way they’re being marketed by IM makes me think they’re trying to draw weak swimmers to the distance, like you say.
How has IM marketed them to draw in weak swimmers? I have read nothing that would support this. Just something to provide another level of safety on the swim course if needed.
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Maybe best the best would be to have safety contingencies that no one knows about. Bad swimmers would be too scared to enter, but if something avoidable did happen there would be a response ready.
Of course, that would be what you would do if safety were your first concern. But who cares about that.
It is way more profitable to put in floatie in the lake, and charge people an extra $75 to beef up your legal defense fund.
A couple of swim lesson/life guard tid bits:
- People naturally float.
- Panic is thus responsible for almost all drownings. (Loss of consciousness is pretty uncommon).
- Cramps do not change your relative gravity and do not cause you to sink
- Panic in water = not knowing how to swim
You cannot both know how to swim and panic and drown.
Swimming means knowing that you float.
Panic means you do not know how to swim.
Maybe best the best would be to have safety contingencies that no one knows about. Bad swimmers would be too scared to enter, but if something avoidable did happen there would be a response ready.
Of course, that would be what you would do if safety were your first concern. But who cares about that.
It is way more profitable to put in floatie in the lake, and charge people an extra $75 to beef up your legal defense fund.
A couple of swim lesson/life guard tid bits:
- People naturally float.
- Panic is thus responsible for almost all drownings. (Loss of consciousness is pretty uncommon).
- Cramps do not change your relative gravity and do not cause you to sink
- Panic in water = not knowing how to swim
You cannot both know how to swim and panic and drown.
Swimming means knowing that you float.
Panic means you do not know how to swim.
If I get hit or kicked during the swim and get a concussion or some other type of major injury, knowing how to swim goes out the door.
I just do not understand why when WTC does something to help make the swim safer, but has zero impact on racers who never need to use, why be so negative about it?
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I’m not a fan of them. I think it encourages people who can’t swim well enough to sign up and think “well if I get tired I’ll just hang on to the raft.”
If I get tired while cycling I don’t get to draft off the bike in front of me.
I am being a bit of an ass but, for the reasons listed, I am pretty certain the rafts will increase the number of deaths.
Ok- maybe it is better for those who know how to swim most of the time but might have a legitimate issue. But it will definitely increase the number of those who really do not know how to swim.
A 2.2 mile swim should not be taken lightly.
How many people who face the waves at mavericks or pipeline would attempt it?
If a kick in the face, a cramp, a couple of people on your back can cause you to forget that you float…
That is a problem.
Learning to swim is the best cure for drowning.
In the context of an ironman that SHOULD mean knowing that you float after being kicked in the face, or when you have a cramp.
And at mavericks “knowing how to swim” means knowing that floating is a long term truth, not always a temporary one.
It’s a double edge sword. Even good swimmers could need these should something go wrong. However the way they’re being marketed by IM makes me think they’re trying to draw weak swimmers to the distance, like you say.
How has IM marketed them to draw in weak swimmers? I have read nothing that would support this. Just something to provide another level of safety on the swim course if needed.
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Maybe it’s all just perception. I remember reading the email and thinking it was more geared towards weak swimmers rather than strong swimmers in distress. The wording “safe swim” and using “resting rafts” doesn’t help. I would think you could employ enough rescue staff to handle stronger swimmer distress. I’ve only done 1 IM (IMFL last year) but seems like there’s a lot more weaker swimmers than stronger that sign up for them. If you were to get a cramp during a swim it might be nice to stop and rest but you should/could be able to continue. I’ve never cramped so bad swimming I couldn’t stay above water, maybe it’s just me. Even if you did cramp that bad you have to pray you’re close to the raft. Same for panic attacks and injuries. What if it happens away from the “resting raft”? Next were going to have to do swims in no more that 5 ft of water just in case. Ya know, so people can reach bottom.
I am being a bit of an ass but, for the reasons listed, I am pretty certain the rafts will increase the number of deaths.
Ok- maybe it is better for those who know how to swim most of the time but might have a legitimate issue. But it will definitely increase the number of those who really do not know how to swim.
A 2.2 mile swim should not be taken lightly.
How many people who face the waves at mavericks or pipeline would attempt it?
If a kick in the face, a cramp, a couple of people on your back can cause you to forget that you float…
That is a problem.
Learning to swim is the best cure for drowning.
In the context of an ironman that SHOULD mean knowing that you float after being kicked in the face, or when you have a cramp.
And at mavericks “knowing how to swim” means knowing that floating is a long term truth, not always a temporary one.
I try to minimize how many times I am an ass with stuff as I get older. Just not worth it.
Just gets so old for so many always beating up on WTC. Just quit doing their races and do something else.
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It’s a double edge sword. Even good swimmers could need these should something go wrong. However the way they’re being marketed by IM makes me think they’re trying to draw weak swimmers to the distance, like you say.
How has IM marketed them to draw in weak swimmers? I have read nothing that would support this. Just something to provide another level of safety on the swim course if needed.
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Maybe it’s all just perception. I remember reading the email and thinking it was more geared towards weak swimmers rather than strong swimmers in distress. The wording “safe swim” and using “resting rafts” doesn’t help. I would think you could employ enough rescue staff to handle stronger swimmer distress. I’ve only done 1 IM (IMFL last year) but seems like there’s a lot more weaker swimmers than stronger that sign up for them. If you were to get a cramp during a swim it might be nice to stop and rest but you should/could be able to continue. I’ve never cramped so bad swimming I couldn’t stay above water, maybe it’s just me. Even if you did cramp that bad you have to pray you’re close to the raft. Same for panic attacks and injuries. What if it happens away from the “resting raft”? Next were going to have to do swims in no more that 5 ft of water just in case. Ya know, so people can reach bottom.
Well, let me put my RD hat on. Let’s just say I have a person die in the swim. If I got sued, and it got proven I did not do everything possible to make the swim safe, well, I am out of business. Things like this are for
pure liability insurance and to fend off lawsuits. Plus, if it saves a life, who cares what others think about should they have been able to swim with a cramp, or concussion, or dislocated arm, etc.
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