Santa Barbara Sprint

Very cool! I'll be there too. I'm glad to hear you've done this race. What were the waves like in the swim? Also, how big is the bike hill. The website mentions a hill near the Four Seasons.

Thanks!

This was my first triathlon last year (well, first in 3 years....my very first had a pool swim in CO and I was woefully under trained), so it was my first ocean swim in a race.  I didn't think the waves were too bad, really.  Compared to Solana Beach, they are pretty moderate.  The water was a bit chilly, but ended up being warmer than Pacific Coast a few weeks later. 

I do remember the bike hill, and at the time, it was pretty tough for me....but it's pretty short, and you can gut it out quickly and get it over with.  Will be interesting to see how it rides this year, though, as I definitely have some bike legs now!  The bike course is fast, but there is a train....last year I lost the lead pack because I had to sit at a train crossing for over a minute.   

You will enjoy it-- don't think there's anything to be worried about at all.  It left a very positive impression on me last year and I think it was my favorite race venue to date....and I've now been to 11 or 12!

Actually East Beach is very well protected, there were no waves there at all on Sat (didn't notice any Sunday either).    There's one hill I think on Channel drive, but it's not bad.  Certainly not a climb.

We're staying right across the street for the weekend, so will probably be down on Sunday am.  Tried to get Wendy to do this one (gently) but she didn't really want to.

I had a great time watching the women's sprint last year, very supportive crowd.

That's a bummer! I hope you get to race on Saturday at least!