I am a relatively slower swimmer (40 minutes in a wetsuit for my half ironman’s) and will hopefully finish around 1 hour 30min to 1 hour 40 min at Kona. Being that I am NOT one of the best triathletes in the world and this swim start has me scared more than anything else, I want to start at the back of this very fast pack. I have heard the to hang back and a couple of minutes and to stay a bit wide of the buoys. Is this good advice for Kona? Also, what are the best “landmarks” to use for sighting? Thanks!
Stacy, 2007 Lottery Winner
konaboundstacy.blogspot.com
There is no need to hang too far back at Kona. Everybody else there besides you is a fast swimmer, they will be LONG gone very quickly.
I was very late getting there last year, and was still slowly making my way out towards the start line when the cannon went off, so I was probably 20m behind it at that time.
I had nearly zero contact for the majority of the swim. Other than taking forever to get back after the turnaround (there are bouys along the way, and 2 big boats to aim for at the turn), it was fine.
The salt water makes you very bouyant, so don’t sweat not having a wettie. Plus there’s lotsa beautiful scenery above and below the water to look at, so it’s really kinda fun, even for the swim-challenged.
Exactly my experience.
The contact is in the :55-1:05 group…if you ain’t there, IMO, the swim is a breeze. I have thoroughly enjoyed the swim both times, even in the post-earthquake swelliness of last year.
I was very apprehensive about the no wetsuit deal, but, in retrospect, it was the best thing for me…made me actually work at being reasonably proficient, if slow, at the swim. I swam a lot of 4000yd straight swims and searched for non-wetsuits 1/2 IM’s before I went to Kona. Once I got there, the bouyancy was a very pleasant surprise and the swim was no big deal.
Don’t sweat the swim. Swim enough to be able to legitimately swim the distance and then relax and prepare to enjoy what is arguably the greatest swim in triathlon.
G
Ditto to what the others said. The swim is the best part of the day, at least until you’re heading down Alii for the last time. Your swim pace will probably mean smooth sailing. If you can, go to Kona early and do the Gatorade swims in the mornings. It’s great fun and reassuring. Good luck!
I agree with Gail. I swam a 1:23 there and had people around me the entire way, but not too much jostling, just a little at the start until everyone got sorted out. It’s down and back so you really don’t even need to sight very often.
clm
I swam 1:23 ('06) as well…it was probably me and my wild left arm that was doing the jostling! 
Sorry 'bout that!
What are you doing this year? Going to Loo-uh-vull? FL? I’ll be at both.
G
Sorry to add to the redundancy, but as a BOP Kona swimmer, all I had to do was seed myself to the rear of the pack, wait a moment after the cannon and go. One accidental bump near the turnaround was the only problem I had (about a “2” on a 1-10 scale). The swim is beautiful!! Clear water, lots and lots of plants and critters to see, and you are in the Hawaii-Freakin-Ironman. You will not miss the absence of the neoprene envelope; buoyancy to spare. Enjoy!
Paul
What are you doing this year? Going to Loo-uh-vull? FL? I’ll be at both. <<
I’m doing Vineman on Saturday! Then the Houston 101 race in November. Other races tbd, but I want to try some cross races in the fall and some trail running races. I’m also going to Kona over Thanksgiving to crew at Ultraman. That, I can’t wait to do!!
clm
Fitzie,
I assume you won a lottery slot? I ask because I am trying to figure out how to get to Kona - like everyone else…
Fitzie,
I assume you won a lottery slot? I ask because I am trying to figure out how to get to Kona - like everyone else…
Lottery is the only way I could ever get to Kona. While I have placed top 3 in my age group of 40-44, it is at much smaller races. Unless I am still doing this in my 60s and 70s, then the lottery it is!
Stacy, 2007 Lottery Winner
konaboundstacy.blogspot.com
Congratulations on getting the lottery spot.
My one and only experience at Kona (last year) was that it was amazing how many people were swimming around me and how little contact there was. It was like we were a well trained school of fish, … well, except maybe for the ability to breathe water and swim really fast. What particularly surprized me was the way we all held our formation going around the turn markers. Everyone to the outside stayed outside and there was virtually no contact. At any other race I have done, there has always been lots of contact on the turns.
Kona is a wonderful experience. Enjoy it fully.
my only advice would be not to start too far to the left…if there is a little swell action going on, you’d feel it most the farther left you are. buoys are large and plentiful so sighting shouldn’t be a problem. take in the spectacle of everything around you just before the start–even if you’re nervous, you can’t help but smile…enjoy!