Swim around Key West (1)

Triathlon Forum
1

Has anyone ever done this race? It sounds intriguing…I think.

2

Not me, but a guy on my Masters team knows a thing or two about it…as well as a couple of other OW swim events.

http://www.usms.org/hist/sto/index.php?ID=207&srt=

G

3 
The guy who runs it Bill Welzein seems like a good guy.  My dad worked with him at a recovery center that Bill ran many years ago.  Looks like he also does the 12 mile swim monthly.           Do it!
4

in 2007, the weather was a big issue and caused the capsizing of not only 5-6 kayaks but also a motor boat. once the coast guard got word that there were swimmers in the water without support, they did all they could to try and stop the race, including pulling swimmers out of the water. most swimmers however chose not to end their race (a lot of them were already at mile 7-8). the coast guard was reportedly not happy that athletes chose to remain in the water and threatened both RDs. so, results that year were “unofficial” but no one cared because swimming 12.5 miles non-stop was a feat in itself.

be sure to note that there are 2 outfits putting up a 12.5 mile swim around key west:
http://www.swimaroundkeywest.com/ Race Director Bill Welzien

and

the one that is coast-guard sanction and held by the community college:
http://www.fkccswimaroundkeywest.com/.

5

My wife, and a bunch of girls from our Masters’ group had planned on it a few years ago. It was cancelled just before the event due to concerns with water quality around Key West. All that waste has to go somewhere!

6

…and i did see a few key west brown mullets floating around in the water.

7

Well I cannot help with swimming but as I’m just sitting here in Key West reading this I want to mention that there is a half marathon next sunday where you could run around Key West …

Frank

8

**there is a half marathon next sunday where you could **run around Key West

I’m already signed up**. **My Bro-in-law and nephew (new runner) have started a family tradition where we do a 1/2 every winter some where. I’ll be flying in saturday. I would fly in friday but I know what would happen if I had a day of lounging in Key West…I’ll save it for post race. :slight_smile:

9

be sure to note that there are 2 outfits putting up a 12.5 mile swim around key west

a-ha…I did not know that. I thought it was all the same group. Thanks! Nice blog, by the way…cool pics.