Pewaukee (Wisconsin) Tri Requires Swim Test before Toeing the Line

Originally posted by Swimbikeron

http://theactivepursuit.com/new-rules-for-swimmers-help-rookies-pas...

Thought this was interesting. Pewaukee Tri requires a swim test for first-timers, and also provides a swim clinic.

Originally posted by austhokie seems like a good idea to me.... as a story to illustrate why - at the sprint tri I helped at a few weeks ago, the swimmers went off in waves at 5 minute intervals - the last swimmer out of the water was someone who had started in the 2nd wave of the race out of 6 - it took the swimmer over an hour to complete the 750m swim because it was obvious that she struggled with teh swim/wasn't comfortable in the water...maybe something like this would have helped her...

Originally posted by Left Brain

In what way?

Originally posted by austhokie made them more comfortable in the water/ given them more confidence in current skills/ strengthened swim skills/ prevented them from entering a race that was beyond current capability - many different possible options... I don't know what their issue was - all I saw was a swimmer struggling, who was basically escorted into the end of the swim portion with 2 lifeguards on boards next to them - no one pulled the swimmer - and it wasn't like they struggled at the very end...you could see there were potential issues a good 400m out in the lake

Originally posted by briderdt

This is the only possibility as I see it.

Originally posted by austhokie



the article does reference swim clinics that they do in the lead up - so that could help with skills - I don't know - i'd be interested to see what they cover...but I do agree, that the current capability would likely be the biggest kicker...sometimes you need a wake-up call as to capability (I know that I do)

Originally posted by cpzone

The clinic goes through everything from entering the water, dolphin dives, how to sight, how to roll through turns, even treading water, adjusting your goggles while in the water. Pretty much everything you could encounter. They also have course buoys and kayaks. You swim in groups, swim in line, draft, etc. The clinics run each week for probably 6 weeks prior. Its a public beach area so even if you're not in the clinic, you can swim well beyond the normal swim area....no ski boats, etc. There might be 50-100 swimmers there on any given night. Also works well for just a safe practice session.

Originally posted by pugpenny

I totally did several test swims in open water (the ocean in my case) prior to my first triathlon. I also see a lot of people do the same at the OWS I volunteer for every Friday night.

But that being said, with triathlon gaining popularity and people adding it to their "bucket lists" (don't even get me started on THAT) there are going to be more and more people having swim difficulties. It's one thing to be slow (like me) but another to be just lost in the water and endanger yourself or the lifeguards that have to rescue you.

Patti

Originally posted by NewfangledDad

I prefer middle ground here...I think WTC's new Swim Smart is a pretty reasonable attempt to keep swimmers safe without going overboard. Asking newbies to test in is a little insulting to us, IMO. Plenty of experienced triathletes have stories of having a panic attack DNF getting pulled by the kayaks 400m out. (I actually love reading those stories because they make me feel much better about backstroking half the swim of my first race.)

FWIW, I wouldn't have done Pewaukee as my first race if this extra hoop was there to jump through. There is a difference between being newbie-friendly and newbie-skeptical. The Oly I did do last month I was s-l-o-w but far from last out of the water. It could have used more lifeguards maybe, but the vibe was definitely encouraging. Hardest thing I've ever done and I'm a marathoner. Had a blast. Planning what I want my next race to be.

I think the key is finding the line between sending off the message to possible new triathletes that the sport is hard but safe and throwing up roadblocks that are discouraging. Disclaimer: I'm one of those people who wants to see more people get involved in endurance sports...I dislike the club-like attitude some people have that comes across as elitist. There's room for everyone. That's my two cents, at least.

Originally posted by NewfangledDad
Plenty of experienced triathletes have stories of having a panic attack DNF getting pulled by the kayaks 400m out.

Originally posted by chris948



You could just as easily write "plenty of now experienced triathletes should have had a competency test their first time out."

There are reasons that kayaks should be there: cramps, medical issues, tides etc. and reasons that they shouldn't be there: babysitting someone who can't take care of themselves. I don't know how many people rock climb, but there's a test before you get on the wall.

I don't think it's insulting at all. You passed a test to get your drivers license to get to the triathlon, you passed a test that shows your bike isn't a danger to yourself or someone else.