I’m usually in the last wave and get to watch the swim starts for everyone else. In five triathlons so far this year, in every one there were people who struggle in the first 50 to 100 yards and had to be brought back to shore. Not only are they done for the day, they are taking a kayak out of action by assisting them. Was thinking that if you had a small boat with strings of float noodles attached to the back for about 20 to 30 feet traveling at a 3:00/100 yard speed, then you could have a newbie wave where people could swim next to the noodles, grab onto them if needed, and give them a feeling of safety during the swim. I know the rules on assisted forward progress so anyone in this wave would not be eligible for awards (heck they just want to survive it). It would be like training wheels for the swim. Those purists who believe everyone should be professionally certified on the swim need not respond to this thread. We need to encourage people who are afraid of the swim that there’s an option that allows for some sense of safety to lower the barriers of entry to triathlon.
So you are advocating for a situation where people would actually not be required to be able to swim in a swim event but get towed along for the duration? You know that people will do as little as possible to get a required outcome and if they can be towed around they will.
How about instead there is a wave where they have to wear those little personal swim bouys and are allowed to wear fins?At least with those additions they still actually have to do some swimming but will have the added safety of fins (maybe hand paddles) and an bouy which also makes them easier to spot and rescue.
If this bunch of beginners in our village in Thailand can swim 2.5k around that island then believe me,anyone can.
I’m usually in the last wave and get to watch the swim starts for everyone else. In five triathlons so far this year, in every one there were people who struggle in the first 50 to 100 yards and had to be brought back to shore. Not only are they done for the day, they are taking a kayak out of action by assisting them. Was thinking that if you had a small boat with strings of float noodles attached to the back for about 20 to 30 feet traveling at a 3:00/100 yard speed, then you could have a newbie wave where people could swim next to the noodles, grab onto them if needed, and give them a feeling of safety during the swim. I know the rules on assisted forward progress so anyone in this wave would not be eligible for awards (heck they just want to survive it). It would be like training wheels for the swim. Those purists who believe everyone should be professionally certified on the swim need not respond to this thread. We need to encourage people who are afraid of the swim that there’s an option that allows for some sense of safety to lower the barriers of entry to triathlon.
Could I also propose a small motorised vehicle with seats on it, going around the marathon course on an IM, at Say at a 10 min mile pace, for anyone who hasn’t bothered to train properly for the run ? Obvs I’m not expecting to be given a KQ slot from it.
(And book me a seat on it please)
(And book me a seat on it please)
Me too but only if I get an aisle, free WiFi and a USB port to charge my phone.
There’s a very good way already for people who are uncomfortable with the swim leg of a triathlon to gain confidence.
you guys are f’in hilarious.
Not as funny as the guy who set out his own aid station at 70.3 Ohio with a handle of Fireball Whiskey for all to enjoy a half mile into the run.
Nice to have something to mix with my Red Bull.
Honestly, if people can’t swim then they shouldn’t be entering a triathlon until they have learned and trained enough that they are sure they can safely swim that distance.
People can always tread water or granny stroke it to catch their breathe. If they can’t even do that, then they have no business being in the water on race day.
Along with what everyone else said, the potential liability concerns here are frightening. You want to actively encourage very weak and non-swimmers to try and swim in open water. What if someone slips off and the boat driver doesn’t notice? or something happens to the boat? Or someone has a panic attack? or (insert disastrous scenario here)
The way to help inexperienced swimmers is to give them a pathway to gain the necessary training and experience.
Those purists who believe everyone should be professionally certified on the swim need not respond to this thread.
I love it. Apparently we’re bring called snobs for saying “if you literally can’t swim you should not do a triathlon.” Ha
Well too bad. If you need a noodle to make it through a Sprint swim then you don’t know how to swim and you are a danger to yourself and others.
We should encourage people to learn to swim, not to be dragged through the water.
What village are you in?
you guys are f’in hilarious.
Not as funny as the guy who set out his own aid station at 70.3 Ohio with a handle of Fireball Whiskey for all to enjoy a half mile into the run.
Nice to have something to mix with my Red Bull.
THAT’S DOPING!!! (Alcohol is banned in competition)
Sounds like fun though,
Maurice
I think this idea while well intentioned, is misguided.
Adequate training is sufficient to build confidence in ones ability to swim. I do a bare minimum of swim training as I don’t enjoy it compared to cycling and running. I also prefer duathlons for the same reason (I don’t know why duathlons don’t get far more attention as they seem to cater for many peoples preferences). But when I’m going to do a triathlon, I gain confidence by making sure I’m good enough to comfortably complete the course, and have done some recent open water swimming, even if my pace is or will be slow.
If people lack confidence in their swim it’s likely for good reason. We shouldn’t be facilitating half assed participation, we should be pointing to more appropriate events, or suggesting more preparation.
I believe your suggestion could potentially cause an increase in swim fatalities. If people are not participating due to nervousness about the swim, due to borderline ability, that serves as a safety mechanism.
Swim safety should have priority over swim participation IMO. I don’t think slow swimmers are at more risk in a triathlon. Panic can effect anyone, as can a heart attack or stroke. Any effort to mitigate these unavoidable risks would be hampered by larger numbers of less able swimmers on the course.
Preparation, event selection, and staying out of central swim melee should be sufficient to mitigate confidence problems for anyone who is otherwise competent to take part in a triathlon.
What village are you in?
Laem Mae Pim,Rayong.
There used to be a sport called Duathlon (biathlon). If everyone that couldnt/doesnt swim would participate in a Duathlon, the sport would still be around. I guess for that to happen IM would have to lead the way. Ironically only swimmers or those that swim complain about swims getting cancelled or shortened.
There used to be a sport called Duathlon (biathlon). If everyone that couldnt/doesnt swim would participate in a Duathlon, the sport would still be around. I guess for that to happen IM would have to lead the way. Ironically only swimmers or those that swim complain about swims getting cancelled or shortened.
There are still duathlons, but they don’t seem to get the same attention and respect for some reason. I think they’re great. Much easier logistically and they cater to many, many people’s preferences. There are several sprint distance duathlons run near me each year. Most of them are in spring before the triathlon season gets going and while open water is still cold.
…How about instead there is a wave where they have to wear those little personal swim bouys and are allowed to wear fins?
I actually like this idea. Like a “beginner/assisted” wave. Make it sorta like road racing…where you can only use it 2 or 3 times before you “CAT up” and have to do an unassisted swim. You’d also eliminate some the liability concerns as they know going in that they still have to swim the stage…albeit with flippers and buoy…heck, let them use a mask and snorkel. Maybe a “Finman wave?”
I get the purist argument, but clearly that approach isn’t growing the sport.
I think a PFD wave could be ok, and maybe fins, but not paddles. Having paddles on is a bit handicapping if you actually need your hands for something, eg re-seating your goggles after they’ve been punched or kicked off of you. And while I’ve never taken a fin to the face I have taken a heal and it wasn’t much fun. But imagine being clobbered by a hand paddle in open water - oh my!
OMG it would be awesome if IM had these rolling around the course- for spectators and to pick up athletes!
OMG it would be awesome if IM had these rolling around the course- for spectators and to pick up athletes!
https://www.cbc.ca/...rlottetown-1.5211551
Did you notice the last paragraph??? The cost of this bike-bus is a bit steep for my blood.
Rides cost anywhere from $40 to $60 per person. Two dollars for every rider who takes a tour on the pedal bus will be donated to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation.
Did you notice the last paragraph??? The cost of this bike-bus is a bit steep for my blood.
Rides cost anywhere from $40 to $60 per person. Two dollars for every rider who takes a tour on the pedal bus will be donated to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation.
I should have made my post pink. However I admit I did not look at the cost- I am an IM athlete after all… (also should be pink).