Open Water Swimming

crosbie

Hi all. Decided to enter my first few triathlons this year. I'm a fairly good runner, I generally run marathons and keen cyclist. My big failing would be swimming so I have been concentration on that currently I am upto about 800m freestyle non-stop. I am doing a program to get me to and hopefully over the mile mark. This has all been done in a lovely heated pool. So eventually I need to get into the 'real' water. When do you guys venture out? Are there any favourity locations near Dublin? What are the main differences I need to be aware of between pool and open water swimming?
I have a tri wetsuit, thanks to the ex-hire sale at triuk???

hunnymonster

40 foot is a popular spot in Dublin but there are others and I'm sure some of the Dublin people will be along to help out out with locations.

I'll probably get back in the water at the end of April start of May but only to acclimatise rather than anything productive. It will be a month after that before I'm doing significant OW swims. That's not to say you can't get in now, the OW swimmers (not triathletes) tend to keep up a small bit of outside swimming all year.

The main differences between pool and OW swimming are
-visability downwards, OW is murky
-visability above water, it's not just a case of following the tiles on the floor, you'll need to practise sighting which will interrupt the flow of your stroke.
-currents, because the water is moving, you will get disorientated, you may not be where you expect to be when you sight. I sight every 12 strokes but I think most people have a look up more often.
-temperature, It's cold in the OW, be prepared for brain freeze when you start. Have appropriate clothes and warm drinks ready for when you finish.
-waves, you will have to adjust your stroke to take account of the water not being flat like in a pool. Most people get the hang of this pretty quickly
-being thumped, this will not happen in training but in a race, people will take great pleasure in swimming over you, into you, across you, knockig your goggles off, grabing your feet. If you are at all nervous, hold back in your first couple of races.

swimforever

I wouldn't be heading into the sea anywhere around Dublin for the first time at the moment-I've got a few friends up there doing winter sea training and the temperature was down at 4deg the weekend before last (of course that was mainly due to the snow still on the ground)!! I think it's up to about 6deg now but that's still VERY cold-it's at 7deg down here in Cork and I'm finding that just about bearable!

When I started swimming in the open water in March last year I found it very claustrophobic, which seems strange because obviously it's much bigger than the pool! But it's so much darker and there's much less visibility than in a pool on all but the sunniest days. It took me at least 2 or 3 swims (of probably only 200-300metres each) to get used to that and get to the point where I could swim comfortably.

The other thing for me was getting used to seeing things moving under me and swimming through seaweed and things-I was very squeamish at the start! I got used to it though, I think the only thing for that is getting in there plenty-eventually it all becomes normal and on the clearer days it's a lot of fun watching shoals of fish and things under you.

Open water swimming is something that can be very scary at the start. Don't be put off if it's horrible the first few times-it does get easier!

mcdonrob

hunnymonster wrote: »

The main differences between pool and OW swimming are
...
-being thumped, this will not happen in training but in a race, people will take great pleasure in swimming over you, into you, across you, knockig your goggles off, grabing your feet. If you are at all nervous, hold back in your first couple of races.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_6tOzt-nfM

Par for the course... and there's worse. I recall that while doing a open sea swim several years ago as part of the summer sea swims around Dublin (not part of a triathlon, speedos ) one swimmer was convinced I had thumped him in the scramble at the finish of the previous week's race... he really got quite agitated... I should have been more prepared. This race was handicapped and as this guy started off he took it upon himself to thump me in the side of the head as I waited for my time slot. This idiot knocked my nose clip and googles off before the race even started. I made a point of ensuring this hero knew I finished ahead of him.

Just be aware... these are races... and people are fired up...

crosbie

mcdonrob wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_6tOzt-nfM

Par for the course... and there's worse. I recall that while doing a open sea swim several years ago as part of the summer sea swims around Dublin (not part of a triathlon, speedos ) one swimmer was convinced I had thumped him in the scramble at the finish of the previous week's race... he really got quite agitated... I should have been more prepared. This race was handicapped and as this guy started off he took it upon himself to thump me in the side of the head as I waited for my time slot. This idiot knocked my nose clip and googles off before the race even started. I made a point of ensuring this hero knew I finished ahead of him.

Just be aware... these are races... and people are fired up...

I enjoyed that youtube clip. Thanks for all the responses.:D

PachosMa

bumping this thread again...

anyone know of any other spots around dublin?

cheers

blind_hurler

or around the Dungarvan area....

Where do people swim I'm new to both open water swimming and the area

vegas elvis

Hi blindhurler

The two local triathlon clubs - waterford & carrick - swim at Dunmore East on monday nights at 6:30 starting tonight. (its actually 5:00 pm tonight because of the bank holiday). If you look up either clubs website there's contact details there.

Not sure if theres any closer to Dungarvan.....

triks

Corona Del Mar State Beach is the best place. It has a buoy line parallel to shore that is about 300 yards long. Its in a nice cove with very little surf.

Workplace Fitness

hunnymonster

and a bit far away for most people in Dublin, Ireland :-) no spam please!

cluelessx2

There's open water swimming at 9am on Sat (tmrw) in Clonea, and afaik it's open to everyone.

rubadub

PachosMa wrote: »

anyone know of any other spots around dublin?

Hawks cliff, AKA the vico baths.

It is in dalkey/killiney, just recently it has been done up. The old mud path is not tarmacked and trees cut back, it has no beach just straight into the water, it has improved a lot. There are now ladders going into the water and better ropes and other rails etc for getting out. Be warned it is also a nudist spot! usually they all hang around 1 corner when it is busier in the summer months and there would normally be far more clothed people at those times. Don't get excited lads, its just a bunch of auld fellas & some auld ones!

It is a good spot since the tide doesn't matter at all, though it is easier to get in and out at higher tides, and safer since the rocks are not below. I see a fair few guys going out proper distances there, some I heard saying they have gone to dalkey island. I prefer it to 40ft since 40ft can have lots of scumbags in the summer, and there can be theft too, I caught some lad walking off with my bag there once, just grabbed the bag and he scarpered.

White rock is down from hawks cliff and is an alright spot too. Also at seapoint/monkstown they have toilets and showers, but you need the tide to be in there.

http://www.independent.ie/travel/travel-advice/ten-best-outdoor-dips-1461816.html

1 Vico Baths, Killiney, South Dublin

South Dublin boasts oodles of nooks for swimming -- from Seapoint to the 40 Foot and beyond -- but Killiney's Vico Baths (also known as Hawk's Cliff) outshines them all.

Between White Rock and Sorrento Terrace, this is one of the most spectacular places to swim in Dublin. Follow Sorrento Road until you see a small path leading down to the sea. Cross the DART line and the baths are located at the end of the path. This tiny cove offers views of Bray Head, Dalkey Island and Killiney Bay. If you're feeling overdressed, togs are traditionally optional.

Details: Killiney, South Dublin

Highway_To_Hell

rubadub wrote: »

Hawks cliff, AKA the vico baths.

Thanks, 10 years living in the area and I never knew it was there. I will have to venture down there in the coming days.

triks

I love the place very much..........

Stark

What's the story with swimming in the Lee Fields in Cork? Have a vague idea of the area but was wondering where would be the best spots to start and finish a swim.

hunnymonster

It can be done but the water is often quite low so choose your time. When I've done it, I've gotten in at the slipway at the lee fields car park. I've never seen glass on the bottom but some people have told me there is some so to be careful, flop into the water rather than step in. Go up the river against the flow initially, you can swim up about a km and the same back obviously. About half way, there is a swimmers hut which is another popular place to start/finish. Stick to the middle of the river for the best depth. THe water is actually nice and clean. There are sometimes fishermen who get a bit annoyed with you disturbing their fish.
Watch for kayaks too.
Other places to swim include iniscarra dam (probably a better spot), sandycove,....
If you ever want company, let me know but I'm not fast.

Stark

Thanks. I'm not in Cork that often actually, only the odd weekend when visiting the folks. Was hoping to get in for a swim next weekend in preparation before Tri-Athy. I'll keep Iniscarra and Sandycove in mind as well.

blind_hurler

cluelessx2 wrote: »

There's open water swimming at 9am on Sat (tmrw) in Clonea, and afaik it's open to everyone.

I missed this but wonder if it's on every Saturday?

folgi

i did a river swim in carrick on suir last year - heard about it through word of mouth- think it was organised by carrick triathlon club but can't see any info about it on their site.
does anyone know is it on again this year and if so what date????

or does anyone know of other river swims on in the south east that arn't part of triathlon events-

JupiterKid

Hawks cliff, AKA the vico baths.

Yes, this spot is a great place to swim.:cool:

The summer is the best time, of course. I personally prefer to swim nude at this spot - the nude swimmers actually outnumber the togs wearing swimmers here on the good weather days, so no need to be shy. It's the best feeling to swim in the buff - great freedom!:)

It's relatively easy to get to, but secluded and as rubadub said, you don't get the scummy element that you do at Forty Foot, so your possessions are pretty secure.