I am considering racing the Newport Beach Tri (sprint).
I noticed the swim to be in the Marina at “Back Bay”. This raises some concerns about the water quality, since the marina is sort of really way inland and in an area with only a small opening to the bay. Anyone some information about the water quality back there, or does the race organizer check it before the race? Another question: Race is supposed to start at slack tide. Why is this an issue?
Any input welcome; Thanks
trinic
(Being at the cutting edge means that you get sliced from time to time)
I’ve done that race a couple times, and each time I feel pretty ill post-race. I blame it on the water, as its the only place that causes me to feel like that. (Not to mention that it’s some of the worst-smelling water I’ve ever gotten in.)
The low-tide swim time is an issue because it forces the swim exit to be something of a mud crawl, as the beach is not sand as much as it is a soggy muck. Look at the pictures of last year’s swim (www.brightroom.com, I think), and you’ll see what I mean: people covered in mud. Not much fun.
This was my first tri, so I usually do for sentimental reasons. But it is by far the dirtiest water I have ever swam in. Last year with the extremely low tide was the worst. Other than the swim, it is a great race that is fun to do.
I keep wanting to do it again because it was my first race and its really convenient for me. Each year I don’t because of the water quality and the mud march at the end of the swim.