General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How do indoor swim starts work? Rss Feed  
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2005-02-08 6:23 PM

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Subject: How do indoor swim starts work?
Hi all -

I've only done lake and ocean sprint tris, but will be doing my first indoor swim in May. Curious to know how things work. I'd assume several different heats and pace lanes, but how do they keep track of your distance, honor system? Is it even more chaotic than an outdoor swim?

Thanks!
Scott


2005-02-08 6:30 PM
in reply to: #114635

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Subject: Various methods... here are a few I done...
1) Snake starts - basically a time trial triathlon format.... where you start at one end of the pool and go up and down (usually flip turning under each lane rope) and do so until you get to opposite end of the pool. There is usually a 15-30 sec. lag between starting swimmers. And, this means you need to give an estimated swim time... and, you may need to pass a slower swimmer.
2) Wave (Heat) start... Waves start in a pool done a 2 swimmers per lane. Just like training. Lap counters are usually present. they give a warning lap with a kick board on your last lap.
3) Simular to a Wave start but with more than 2 swimmers per lane - you go in circles. Only done one like this... and, it's a pretty lame method. Again, lap counters are usually present.... but, mostly dependent on honor system.

FWIW Joe Moya



Edited by Joe M 2005-02-08 6:32 PM
2005-02-08 6:42 PM
in reply to: #114635

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Subject: RE: How do indoor swim starts work?

If it's the snake start that Joe described, try to be accurate when you put down an estimated time. For my first mini-tri, I put down "SLOW" on the registration form, so I started #142 out of 170 registered. It was 25 minutes between the first person starting and my start. Then, I had to pass 8 or 10 people in a 200-yard swim. By the time I got out the pool and headed to the bike, a good many people had already taken off on the run.

By the time I finished, they had already posted the first draft of results. Lucky they waited to tabulate everything, because I ended up second in my age group.

2005-02-08 7:49 PM
in reply to: #114646

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Subject: RE: How do indoor swim starts work?
Accurate time is best...

But, in some triathlons... slow times don't always mean last in line...

In fact, it just as common to allow slower swimmers first. Depends on the RD's restrictions... Sometimes they have limited time to facilities or police to monitor bike course, so they need to clear the road/facilities as soon as possible... hence, slower swimmers first.

The counter arugument against slower swimmers first is a safety issue... it simply not as safe for faster bikers (who are typically faster swimmers) to have to pass the slower swimmers.

The best triathlons are those that provide the same courtesy and privileges to the slower triathletes as the faster triathletes... a pet peave of mine is seeing people walking on the course... walking in the transition area... as if, because they are done then the race is over and do what they will. IMO, That's just not right...

FWIW Joe Moya

Edited by Joe M 2005-02-08 7:51 PM
2005-02-08 9:15 PM
in reply to: #114635

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Subject: RE: How do indoor swim starts work?
I started out with the "Ottawa Early Bird" triathlon last season, which is on May 22.  It is much too cold to swim outside so it is done in the Carleton University olympic pool.  It is what is commonly known as a "snake start" ... five lanes to and fro for 500 meters.  The fastest swimmers seed themselves in the front and the slower swimmers in the back.  This is not perfect as I was passed by every Tom, Dickhead and Harry during my swim leg.  Of course, the dickheads that did pass me just wound up totally drained and I passed them on the way to the transition area.  Pass yourself according to your level.
2005-02-08 10:42 PM
in reply to: #114635

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Subject: RE: How do indoor swim starts work?
thanks for the help...I've got some investigating to do to see what kind of start it's going to be.

Cheers
SCott


2005-02-09 1:01 PM
in reply to: #114635

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Subject: RE: How do indoor swim starts work?
I have a question too - Do they make you dive into the pool? I've never mastered diving with goggles.
2005-02-09 1:37 PM
in reply to: #114943

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Subject: RE: How do indoor swim starts work?
From what I have seen, most pool swims are in-water starts.
2005-02-09 1:42 PM
in reply to: #114635

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Subject: RE: How do indoor swim starts work?
dive, lol. I remember in college I used to swim the intramural stuff for my fraternity. Well, for some reason I was a lightning fast backstroker but couldn't barely survive a freestyle. One day, one of the freestyle swimmers was sick so they just assumed because I was fast in backstroke that I could do freestyle. I tried telling them I couldn't even dive and I would belly flop off the platform. They didn't listen and I ended up swimming the free. The minute I leaped off the platform, into a bellyflop, my calfs smacked the water and cramped up leaving me having to pull myself with my arms. I was dead last and could barely get out of the water, lol. Never again did I have to swim the freestyle.

Okay, hijack over, lol.
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