First time with an ocean swim for me in the upcoming HIM in Hawaii. Just wondering you experts out there have any general tips and suggestions.
I’ve done a number of open water swims with wetsuit in various conditions and am a reasonable swimmer (mid pack). I’m not overly concerned about swimming without a suit. But any tips or suggestions help. I’ll be out there 4 days B4 the race so have time and ability to practice.
Thanks!
It’s crazy buoyant. You float like cork.
Definitely dolphin dive a few times on the way out and back in as the bay is shallow early on.
Aim for the right-middle of the left bay exit on the way out as the left side of it can get very shallow. Don’t touch the black spiny sea urchins. They break off in your skin.
Lots of turtles in the area so keep your eyes open.
On the way back, you stare into the sun. No matter what goggles you wear it’s hard to see (I still prefer clear). My tip there is sight off the splashes of heads and hands glistening in front of you and don’t hunt too much for the buoy.
My first few times I was 4 minutes slower than lake swims. Getting a good set of feet to draft is even more important here with the chop. Seeding appropriately is very important.
It’s not usually very wavy, but on the way back you’ll notice it more.
Bring Body Glide. My first time, I ended up with severe chaffing on my inner arms and torso due to the high salinity. Never had that issue in fresh water, or in pools (even during much longer sets). Luckily I was able to find a local shop that stocked Body Glide and some aloe vera. A sleeved trisuit will probably function as a rash guard, but if you plan on training swims in a speedo, plan accordingly.
As mentioned, lots of awesome aquatic life, so take a second to enjoy the views.
The water is truly transparent in Hawaii.
The motion of the waves combined with seeing the sea floor and wildlife gives some people motion sickness. If you do I think the trick is just don’t stare at the floor and focus on something else (your swimming, somebody’s feet).
When you get out of the water and start walking/running some people may feel a little dizzy. Take your time and don’t rush immediately. Ear plugs can help with that.
The swim is the best part of racing in Hawaii so enjoy it!
Good tips! Thanks!
I do wear ear plugs for that very reason and it does seem to help. Might take a bit of ginger with bfast if I’m finding I’m a little woozy during practice swims.
This is my 2nd 70.3 so still learning the strategis that work for me in the swim. I did Indian wells in December and had hoped to catch a good draft, but that water was so cloudy you couldn’t see anything in front of you until you rammed into it. I seeded myself around 37 min, but swam a 42. Slower than I hoped. It was odd because I felt I was crawling on top of people the first 500 yds or so. Must have been a lot of people up seeding. This time I think I’ll try and see around that 40-42 mark.
Did my pool workout today with a skin. They definitely are a touch faster. Good news is it fit good and no chaffing. Will save it for the race now. No need to expose it to more chlorine.
That’s cool. We have a little lake place and the water there is pretty clear as well. Always fun seeing a turtle (albeit much smaller) or fish.
Wife and I raced there last year. Swim was shortened due to adverse conditions. My first ocean swim. Best advice swim frequently when you get there. I felt that doing shorter swims but maybe 2x a day really changed things for me. I didn’t bother with pool swims. If you get there early enough swim frequently. My .02.
That’s my plan. We get there on Monday and have place on a secluded little beach (super lucky find) so hoping to get in the ocean for a short swim every day leading up.
I have done the Honu 9 times and twice at the new swim location. Since you will be there early you can actually swim in that area on the Fairmount grounds. They will have a couple of small buoys marking part of the course a few days before the race. With all the lava rocks in the carved out channel you should get a feel for that area since you haven’t done much open water swims.
I usally go after the athlete briefing or transition gear drop off. Also things to think about is your legs will have sand on them from the beach exit and there are a couple of running showers with hoses setup to rinse off on race day. That is helpful to get off some of the sea salt and sand. To save time I actually pack a squeeze water bottle in my T1 bag and use that to wash off my feet and body. One of my first years I didn’t do it and had sand in my bike shoes that was totally rubbing my ankles causing me pain for half the bike. As Lurker4 mentioned the sun is in your eyes on the return to the beach causing sighting problems. I’ve always used tinted goggles for this race through the years since the sun has always been in your face at some point of the swim. But I live in on Oahu so I’m always swimming with tinted goggles. Also, don’t forget to apply a lot of sunscreen. I’ve had my race number tattooed on both my arms for 3 months after the race from not applying enough sunscreen my first year.
Others have said it and I’ll add to it. Just swim minimal 15 min every day leading up to the race in the ocean. There is no magic, and you don’t need to do it right at the venue, anywhere is fine:
Have an awesome race. Its one of the best swim courses in the sport. I just remember the run being a spongy golf course sauna through !!! The bike course is the best part of the IM Kona course from Waikoloa to Hawi and back.
If you get there early enough ride from Waikoloa up to the Waikoloa Solar farm and back down. Its an awesome ride
Its really cool coming down to Waikoloa from way up there!!!
