OWS - Need a little help here

Hey Gary,

I can't really help you out as far as False River goes right now.  But, UL Triathletes are putting on an open water swim clinic THIS WEEKEND.  I think it would be a great opportunity to get some experience with Open Water with more experienced folks around.

Go to www.lafayettefitness.org

This is the info they have listed there:

"The UL Tri Club and Red's are having an open water swim clinic on Saturday, March 7th from 8-10am.  The entry deadline will be March 5th.  It will be at the UL Lake by the airport.  The cost is $15 a person and they can sign-up at Red's.  Wetsuits will be mandatory to swim and participants must be 18 or older."

Hope that gives you an option.

The lake where they're holding this clinic is not open to the public, nor is it available on a regular basis for triathetes or others to practice. It's on property owned by ULL and leased to the safety company that occupies the facility. Both entities are very particular about who uses the lake and under what circumstances.

For example, this is the lake where CajunMan is held. After frfteen years of a different policy. last year ULL (seemingly arbitrarily) forbid them to serve beer at the post-race party. Ultimately the race was cancelled due to hurricane, now the RD is working with ULL officials to change the policy back for this year's race.

Gary,

     Sorry I'm replying to this so late.  If you haven't found a place yet and don't mind driving a bit Indian Creek State park is a good place for OWS.  The tri group in Alexandria does a swim before their Saturday group ride there.  It is in Woodworth, LA., just south of Alex.  The group is the Red River tri club and I think they have a site if you do a search or look at runwild.com and get in touch with them.

Trav

Bear and Trav,

Thanks for the input, I managed to get one OWS with the BR Tri group and one in my first Tri (I did the T-Gator #1).  I was not thrilled with my results at my first Tri and am looking to improve for the LA Tri.  I will contact the other group and see if I can join them.  I don't have anyone with a boat but I guess I could always rent one for Mrs. GaryRM.

Once again, thanks for the info!

You're very welcome and congrats on the finish.  Don't beat yourself up, you finished healthy and hopefully happy! 

The race in New Roads is fun but watch out for the run.  As you are cruising into the parking lot you can see the finish line but you still have another 3/4 of a mile to go around an oval track; it kind of throws people off sometimes.  Also watchout for roadkill on the backside of the lake during the bike.

One more thing; the tri club in Alex. may be called River Cities tri club.  Either way the people at Run Wild, a running shoe store, are nice folks and could help you out with any questions.

Trav