I am planning on competing in Big Kahuna next month, it will be my first “half”. I am a poor swimmer and just recently have gotten comfortable completing the swim for an international distance. I have swam in Lakes/Reserviors but never the ocean. i was wondering to those of those who have swam off the beach in Santa cruz, Will the swim be much more difficult then a lake swim?? does it take much more energy to deal with the surf? any advice to prepare? (i’m sure to some extent the weather does effect the swim, but assuming its a nice calm day).
Where do you live? Some friends and I swim around the wharf every Friday afternoon, starting around 5:30 pm. Could you make one of those? I’d be happy to shadow you.
The challenges are the relatively cold temperature and the fact that it is an ocean swim. Some people are freaked out by the seals or the algae.
There is normally no much surf to deal with. Make sure you look over your shoulder as you exit the water to ensure that you will not get slammed by an unusually big wave.
My strongest recommendation would be to make sure that you get in the water and swim at least 30 minutes of the course once prior to race day, so that you get a chance to overcome any fear that you might discover in that specific course environment.
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An ocean swim is always far superior to a lake swim. You have saltwater, waves, swells, marine life…what more could you want? Just go do it! Come down the day before and do a practice swim. It’s just water and don’t worry about that kayaker that got his boat bit bit a shark a few weeks ago just up the coast a few miles. It is all part of the fun. You want 100% safety…take up golf! Seriously it is a great course, very scenic, beautiful run and you end with 1/2 mile beach run on legs that feel like jello. Its awesome!
Trirunner- I was led to believe that swimming around the Santa Cruz Pier was not allowed except during races or swim clinics like the ones put on by Terri Schneider. Are there certain times or groups that are allowed to do the swim?
5:30? Isn’t that feeding time for the great whites?
I am not quite sure actually. We just do it and I watch other groups doing it all the time. I am not aware of any instance where any authority objected to it. (Well, there was this time where a crazy guy started lecturing me about the dangers of ocean swims, as I was getting out the water, but that does not really count)
Edit: I should add that our group is not an official swim, with lifeguard supervision like you get with Terri Schneider or the Cruzmaster swim in June. We are on our own.
Yes, that’s the whole point as it is our speed session.
Want to join us? Make sure you let me know in advance. We’ll starve them for a few weeks to ensure a more spectacular swim.
To do this I would first require another bottle of free French wine.
Really? A shark bit a kayaker’s boat? Guess I’ll get to try the technique I saw one of the Sharkweek episodes… hand on the nose and it paralyzes the beast…
Thanks for the invite! I dont live close so unfortunatly i wont be able to take you up on your offer. But maybe I will come a day early to try the swim…sounds like a good thing for my peace of mind
Yes, I highly recommend it. If I am around I can give you pointers, and if I am not, I am sure there will be a lot of people in the water the day before. Just ask if you can join their group.
You know that can easily be arranged. But you get the bottle upon completing the swim (Not that I don’t trust you…)
By the way, I finally took the time to work on my/our bike project. You’ll see pictures soon!
Do you have any link to that story? I have missed it.
Edit: Found it. Nothing I would worry about indeed. That’s way out of the bay.
Don’t sweat it…it was on the San Mateo coast a few weeks ago. There are always sharks out there. So what…there are drunks on the road too. I feel much safer with sharks. I am no expert but my guess is being in a large swim group is likely very safe since it scares away much of the marine life (although the seals and sea lions do seem quite amuzed). Try this link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/24/BAG8OR5OUE1.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
Do you have any link to that story? I have missed it.
Right, and the guy was fishing from his kayak. Almost caught a big fish.