Tempe Town Lake swim for Timex Sprint

I'm sure the swim map is on the site. You can swim anyway you'd like. Typically, it's out and around bouys in a big rectangle.

                                      (tried to do a map, but it didn't work)

Red rock didn't post a map for this one for some reason. The swim is usually a big rectangle. You swim from Tempe beach park under the Mill Ave bridge, turn left at a bouy, swim about 3/4 of the way across, turn left again and swim back to a final bouy, one more left and head for the steps where you got in. 

It looks like you'll be in the first wave at 6:30AM, so there shouldn't be any confusion with the Oly distance swimmers. They will likely have a longer rectangle or possibly 2 laps of the same.

Backstroke is usually a tough proposition, though there are people doing it at every race. My only advice there is to flip over and site the bouy every 10 strokes or so. You should be able to place yourself at the outside of the pack to avoid getting kicked, but you also don't want to have to swim more than you need to. Go wide, but keep checking in to make sure you're going straight.

Good luck!

P.S. I almost forgot the swim exit! If you have shoulder dislocation issues this might be a problem. There are slippery steps, and volunteers there trying to hoist you up by the arms if you let them. Take your time there, and don't let some thoughtful helper yank your arm out

^^^Read: I still talk funny. Haha!  Just kidding you Mike. Welcome to BT.

riorio - 2007-09-15 8:13 AM Maybe you could try some duathlons while you are waiting for your shoulder to heal. Check out trifamilyracing.com, they usually have a DU whenever they have a tri There's one coming up in October.

Don't forget about Relays. I've never done one, but you could avoid the swim this way until you r shoulder heals while still participating.