I was thinking Florida, because it is a mass start and the water can be rough…but it is usually wetsuit legal and with a break in the middle of the swim (2 laps) it didn’t really seem like a difficult swim when I did it. Plus…that water can sometimes be flat…which would make it a very easy swim.
Louisville with respect to bike/run
.
What would make a swim difficult? They are all pretty much the same. I suppose you could always swim the opposite direction.
Cozumel? - Non-wetsuit ocean swim (although I think the swim has been changed to all current assisted as opposed to an out-and-back couse); flat, windy bike course; flat run
Los Cabos?
Challenge AC had a “challenging” swim IMO. LOTS of turns
CDA can have a tough swim if the wind is up. Runs isn’t that bad either. Just one big hill you do twice.
You want a non-wetsuit, ocean swim. Start there.
Then look for a course where the average top pro bike splits are between 4:30-4:40. Faster than that is a flat course, slower the 4:40 is a slower harder course that takes a lot more discipline on pacing.
Do you want a flat run, or cooler weather? I’ll take cooler weather over hills in terms of difficulty.
X2 for CDA/ The lake got very choppy the year i was there and made for a tough swim. The bike is a series of short rollers but nothing too tough and the run is an out and back.
I was thinking Florida, because it is a mass start and the water can be rough…but it is usually wetsuit legal and with a break in the middle of the swim (2 laps) it didn’t really seem like a difficult swim when I did it. Plus…that water can sometimes be flat…which would make it a very easy swim.
I would say IMMD because if you look at the swim times tons of people were slower except for the elite folks. Bike could be windy which probably favors power guys vs. little guys. The run is dead flat and easy.
If by chance it’s warm prior, you might even get a non-wetsuit swim too.
Another vote for CDA. Prone to being windy for the swim and/or cold water. Bike has hills. Run is pretty flat except the aforementioned short climb in the middle of each of the two laps.
At the IM Cozumel HIM this year, I added 15+ minutes to my swim due to current. But unless they change the course for the Full back to what it was, the full is with current, point to point.
Depends upon what you mean by a “Difficult” swim. Current?, nice swells making it hard to sight?, lots of contact in the water? Cold temps? Muddy or otherwise unclean water? Perhaps a swim with a waterfall in the middle (going upstream would be a bitch but coming down could be a hoot)? Swimming in Alligator or Shark infested waters (with Chum thrown in)? Trying to outawim Pirahnna?
Anyway, I’d look for a course that meets you swim first, then your other requirements. And, what you feel is Moderate, others may not. How many miles of climbing is Moderate for you?