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2012-09-02 10:07 AM

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Subject: open water swim in calgary
I live in Calgary and need to practise open water swims.  Anyone have a favorite place that they have found to practise this ?


2012-09-02 12:23 PM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

Are you looking for a place for now?  I am sure others will have some answers.  I am lucky to live in a lake community.  I am done for this season but if all goes to plan hope to buy my own wetsuit so I can get in the lake late spring next year.  I would love to have others to swim with at that time. 

2012-09-02 1:07 PM
in reply to: #4392072

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

No, not right now, for next spring/summer.  Arggh, one of the perks of a lake community i guess..haha.

I might do a race in arizona (open water) but it might be a last minute decision.  I would be more that willing to be a swim partner(s) if you were looking for any starting next year.

I just made another post on here asking for opinions on wetsuits...if I get some answers i will forward them to you.

2012-09-02 4:10 PM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

I am leaning towards the nineteen wetsuits that you rent at Tri-it as that is what I used for my one and only OWS (Okotoks back in July) Unfortunately they just sold off their rentals last year so they won't have any for sale this year.  There is a store in Edmonton that is selling off their rental suits in October.  Just thinking that they might be a bit cheaper.  But interested in what you hear about wetsuits, especially buying them in Canada. 

Will keep in touch about lake swimming next spring.  I am hoping to do maybe 2 OWS sprints (Okotoks and Summerside in Edmonton) then hopefully maybe if I have the omph the olympic in Chapparel. 

 

2012-09-04 9:32 PM
in reply to: #4392072

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary
XTerra has lots of discount codes...
2012-09-05 7:24 AM
in reply to: #4392269

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

yeah, I will check out that place in edmonton and see what they have for sale (rental suits) and see what kind of shape they are in, regardless, I am buying one this offseason for next year.

I would like to do a couple olympic tri's next summer.

We will keep in touch and start some open water swimming next spring.



2012-09-05 7:25 AM
in reply to: #4395526

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary
Yeah, I have a discount code right now to get 57% of any xterra wetsuit, so I am leaning towards that option right now.
2012-09-10 9:45 PM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

I live in Airdrie and just began tri's this year.  Did 2 sprints; one in open water (Wasa)  and one in a pool.  The open water for me was a disaster.  I will be looking for some open water swims in the spring also, and would love to be accompanied by others. 

As for wetsuits...also look in Canmore at the Tri store.  My husband picked up a rental from there for quite cheap, and it was in great shape.

2013-02-07 9:36 PM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary
Just thought I would follow up and see if open water swims can happen this spring with some training partners. If you can let me know that would be great. As for a wetsuit, I picked up a nineteen pipeline wetsuit. Getting anxious to try it out. Has everyone been training ?
2013-02-08 12:46 AM
in reply to: #4613720

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary
Late May is the earliest I would even try, and you will need a friend with a lake pass.
2013-02-08 5:31 PM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

Bought a rental wetsuit also from the store in Edmonton last November.  Haven't had a chance to give it a real life try but have been back at the pool in Acadia after a loooonnngg swim break. 

We will keep in touch as I mentioned last year I live in Sundance so will be keen to get a group together to swim at the lake once they stop that silly "playing hockey on it" thing.  Even have the husband lined up to paddle along as safety/whack me on the butt with a paddle to get going faster Wink



2013-02-10 8:26 PM
in reply to: #4615149

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

We may have bought from the same store.  Mine was a used suit from 'way past fast' in edmonton.

So what races have you done before and what are you looking to do this year ?

Are you a pretty strong swimmer to begin with ?

2013-02-11 9:21 AM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

Yup same store.  They were selling off their rental suits.  I don't think mine was used much at all. 

I wouldn't say I am a strong swimmer per se but am comfortable as I was a competitive swimmer as a teenager and my husband was a swim instructor and lifeguard which helps.  I have only done 5 triathlons over the past 2 summers and 2 of those were the Tri-Diva try-a-tris so not sure if they count.  The 3 others were sprints.  My goal race this summer is the Chapparel Olympic in August.  Also plan on doing the Natural Hi in Okotoks which i did last year and it was fun and a nice easy open water. 

Of course all this is very easy to spout off about when summer is 6 months away.  Smile

 

2013-02-12 7:31 AM
in reply to: #4617246

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

I think mine might have been used once, maybe twice, it looks brand new. 

Oh gees, you are one up on me for swimming.  I never took swimming lessons until 5 years ago (I am late 30's).  so swimming need to be worked on,  but practise makes perfect.  I swim out of the Goodlife fitness (formerly Gold's) in McKenzie town.  I have done only 4 races in my life, 2 try a tri's and 2 sprints.

I have already signed up and paid for the sylvan lake sprint in may (pool swim), and I have already signed up and paid for the Lake Chaparral olympic distance tri in August.  This will be my goal race and likely my first Olympic tri.

If I do another race in between it will be the open water natural hi tri or the open water lake chestemere.

2013-02-12 12:46 PM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

Sounds like we are on the same path for this summer which is great.  I wouldn't say I would be stronger on the swim.  The sad part is that technically it is probably my "best" sport so unfortunately it is the first one to get put on the back burner when busy.  I know I could make up time swimming if I focused on it more but alas.....

How are you on the bike? I need to work on my biking the most I think.  Do you have other groups that you do activities with? 

I will send you a PM so others don't need to hear me prattle on.

 

2013-02-12 3:55 PM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary
hahaha I like the prattling on!! I purchased a wet suit (HUUB) as well this past winter to better prepare for the OWS! I did my first Sprint tri at Chapparal last year and my swim was a disaster! Probably spent 80% of my time doing the breast stroke! I am not a strong swimmer either and I am currently doing drills to improve technique and just get stronger and more confident at it. I currently train out of Airdrie Genesis Place and will move outdoors a little more as the weather improves. I would love to be able to get together on occasion to practice the OWS with others. If its okay to join with you guys I would sure appreciate the opportunity! I met an individual on site here last year by the name of Alberto but I deleted my messages earlier and now can't remember what his username was!! I know he was interested in doing some more training in the open water as well. I am 49 and holding...at least for another year anyways! I was considering doing two sprints and an olympic this year. I am currently considering Joe's Team in June and Heart of the Rockies in July and then doing my Olympic at Chapparal. Nothing written in stone yet.


2013-02-13 9:25 AM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

Welcome to the group   Sounds like we are all (okay the other 2 of us) are thinking Chapparel Oly in August.  I watched the race last summer and it was a big group in the sprint.  Did you wear your wetsuit?  I know the Oly wasn't wetsuit eligible which scared me a little but I guess that is the way it goes. 

I am assuming/thinking it will be mid-May at the earliest before we can even think about open water.  But I would love to have a group of us to swim even just once a week.  I have seen a few folks doing the same thing on a weekend at Sundance. 

As long as everyone promises not to drown as it is such an inconvieniance for the community Wink (humour)

2013-02-14 9:06 AM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary
LOL! Yeah I imagine they would kind of frown on something like that!!!Laughing Yes I wore a wetsuit as I needed all the help I could get! I felt bad for those doing the Olympic that need that added boost. I really don't know if I would have done the Sprint if I couldn't wear my wet suit. I rented a "Nineteen" from Tri-it and it felt a little restrictive across the chest which didn't help my anxiety level! I took a swim clinic mid January from Todd Malcolm, I think he calls his shop "No Limits", and it helped me BIG time! In fact I did my first big swim (for me) Tuesday and did 2050 m. I was tired but felt good. I am definitely getting more comfortable and stay more relaxed in the water now. Still have a long way to go but things are looking up. One thing Todd tells you that if you wear a wetsuit you cannot drown! I still think of towing something like a flutter board behind me just for some reassurance!Smile Will have to stay in touch and make something work out later this Spring! Already looking forward to it!     Howard
2013-02-15 6:56 AM
in reply to: #4621965

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

I am not going to lie to you...not wearing a wetsuit on an OWS, especially an Olympic OWS scares me a little.  I am hoping to have that little buoyancy factor when wearing the wetsuit.  I emailed Multisports Canada and asked them about it.  They said if the water temp gets warmer than 22 at Lake Chaparral, then wetsuits are not allowed.

does this slightly scare anyone else too ?

2013-02-15 9:27 AM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

It freaks me out more than a little but less than a whole lot, if that makes sense.  I watched the race last year and I think they were giving folks the option to do the sprint instead of the oly if they weren't comfortable without the suit.  The guy at Tri-it told me that Chapparel is usually not a wetsuit swim.  I guess it has to do with the fact it is a sanctioned race? or something like that. 

Guess we will be practicing some lake swims without wetsuits. 

2013-02-15 11:54 AM
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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary
My Anxiety level would sure be up a notch or two without the wet suit! I am seeing improvements in my swim weekly so by the time Chaparral roles around I should be good to go without but would way rather have the wetsuit!! They did give folks the option last year to opt out for the sprint if they didn't feel comfortable with the OWS without the wetsuit. When they made the announcement about the wet suits not allowed in the oly the whole crowd just groaned! I don't know how many opted out if any. One gal swam the first loop but she wasn't having anything to do for the second as she walked out of the water. If I remember correctly the oly racers were not given the wetsuit option because Chaparral was sanctioned and was for the Alberta championship.


2013-02-15 12:30 PM
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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary
It was a chilly morning also for Chapparel I know that doesn't affect the lake temperature but I was still thinking burrrrr.  Does anyone know if it is always a sanctioned race?  (or whatever they call it)  Or was that a one off. 
2013-02-15 2:54 PM
in reply to: #4623958

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary
Always sanctioned but not always a championship. Wetsuits are officially meant to protect you from cold water the rest is a fringe benefit for some. The cut off for Oly/Sprint races is 22C for age group racing. There is a risk of overheating if you are wearing a wetsuit in warm water. They allowed wetsuits in the sprint that day since it was not a championship and due to the short duration overheating was less likely. Look up Fran Crippen, he was an open water specialist who died.
2013-05-11 12:50 PM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

Hi folks,

I'm looking to find somewhere for OWS in Calgary.  Any chance there's a group that does some swims at a lake somewhere?  I don't really know anyone with a lake pass so could use some help here.  Would be great to start swims as soon as possible.

Any thoughts?

2013-05-11 3:23 PM
in reply to: #4391967

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Subject: RE: open water swim in calgary

We are starting to talk about getting together at Sundance Lake (where I live) but not quite yet.  Honestly even though it seems warm the water is still really cold.  The divers said it was 41F a couple of days ago.  Now it may be a bit warmer at the top but not much.  Unfortunately for swim training this summer after 23 years in Sundance we are planning on moving so as of right now will only have access to the lake until end of June.  After that i might be conning some of my friends from the hood here to get me in. 

Will post if/when we get a time to head in. 

 

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