Triathlete-friendly swim events?

pc11

Many open-water swim events are not too welcoming for triathletes unfortunately. This is a pity as getting OW practice is vital, especially for newbie triathletes. So, can we make a list of events that are triathlete friendly?

Ideally, this means events that:

• allow wetuits, at least as a guest
• don't require membership of Swim Ireland
• actually tell you the approx. distance of the event beforehand so you can have some idea if you can take it on

One suitable series is listed here: http://www.openwaterswimmer.ie, for example. Also, the i3 swims last year in Killaloe. There are some events on the Munster OW calendar also. The Leinster calendar is not quite so friendly.

Any more to add?

Excuseless

I am involved in organising the Howth Challenge Events which are all very welcoming to tri-types looking to get some openwater swim practice.

Aquathons (1000m and 500m swim options) on 11th June and 23rd July
Info at www.howthaquathon.com

Escape From Ireland Swim on 1st July is ~1900m tough open water swim
Details at http://howthaquathon.com/escape-from-ireland-swim/
Majority of folk doing this are in wetsuits but the hardy openwater swimmers sorts don't usually bother as it is not compulsory


These are warm-up for the Howth Tri on 15th July which has Sprint and Olympic Plus options - Olympic Plus has same tough 1900m Escape Swim leg plus 4 hilly laps of Howth head :cool:
Details at www.howthtriathlon.com

pc11

Fair play excuseless, I should have thought of Escape from Ireland, especially as I've done it before! It's a fine but tough event, and a good example of what I'm looking for.

Wally Runs

How about this? http://www.wix.com/warriorofthesea/warrior-of-the-sea on the cards to be pretty good so I hear.

pc11

Wally Runs wrote: »

How about this? http://www.wix.com/warriorofthesea/warrior-of-the-sea on the cards to be pretty good so I hear.

Wow, 6k, quite a challenge!

mallon

Thanks for the info sounds good

Excuseless wrote: »

I am involved in organising the Howth Challenge Events which are all very welcoming to tri-types looking to get some openwater swim practice.

Aquathons (1000m and 500m swim options) on 11th June and 23rd July
Info at www.howthaquathon.com

Escape From Ireland Swim on 1st July is ~1900m tough open water swim
Details at http://howthaquathon.com/escape-from-ireland-swim/
Majority of folk doing this are in wetsuits but the hardy openwater swimmers sorts don't usually bother as it is not compulsory


These are warm-up for the Howth Tri on 15th July which has Sprint and Olympic Plus options - Olympic Plus has same tough 1900m Escape Swim leg plus 4 hilly laps of Howth head :cool:
Details at www.howthtriathlon.com

promethius

loughgill 10km swim in sligo. no membership of anything required, wetsuit and togs categories, your own personal kayaker for the race.
www.loughgillswim.com

pgibbo

The Corrib Water Polo Club Swim League is starting soon in Blackrock, Salthill. It's a 1500m sea swim every Thursday and they allow people to swim in wetsuits. You do need to be a Swim Ireland member though

Unregistered.

Pulse Aquathlon series!
http://www.pulsetri.com/Content.php?AID=132

Run by a Triathlon club so likely to be triathlete friendly!

Unregistered.

Pulse Aquathlon series!
http://www.pulsetri.com/Content.php?AID=132

Run by a Triathlon club so likely to be triathlete friendly!

griffin100

I like the look of this one.

LCD

Through work I deal with a lot of people whom organise the open water swim races. I have found that it is triathletes who think they are not welcome. Ok, in a wetsuit triathletes are not considered as purists, but they are happy to have people swimming.

Excuseless

LCD wrote: »

Through work I deal with a lot of people whom organise the open water swim races. I have found that it is triathletes who think they are not welcome. Ok, in a wetsuit triathletes are not considered as purists, but they are happy to have people swimming.

I got the below info from Dublin Swimming Club which seems very friendly towards those who like to keep their wetsuits on when in the water.
He is referring to the Escape From Ireland Swim event (This Sun in Howth - entries closing on Thursday night) but I believe invite is open to anyone able to swim who is looking for some good open water swimming advice

"I was wondering if you might like to extend an invite to the swimmers planning to take part to join a few of us from Dublin Swimming Club who are organising our second practice 'Intro to Open Water Swimming' session at Seapoint this Wednesday 26th at 7pm. There will be a big emphasis on safety as well as hints for swimmers, so I think any of your swimmers would be grateful for the info they will get. All are welcome - in wetsuits if they wish.

promethius

i did the galway prom swim a few times in a suit (and a few without too) and was always dismissed as soft by anyone swimming without a suit.

i think that's starting to change as the purists realise there's an enormous number of swimmers in triathlon to fill up events.