Openwater ocean swimming

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2004-10-24 8:13 PM

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Colorado Springs
Subject: Openwater ocean swimming
Just got back from Hawaii and it's cold in Colorado! At first I was very uncomfortable in the ocean, shark fear and jelly fish and the black unknown... Then I spent some time diving down around the reefs to see what's down there and I was much more comfortable. I feel like I can swim two or three times farther in the ocean and I feel a lot faster. The altitude makes my breathing effortless. Now I have to go back to the pool :-(

I guess my point is that maybe we are more affraid of the unknown, so go diving, see what you are swimming over, don't swallow too much ocean water, careful breathing and you can go on and on.. maybe 2.4 miles even...

2004-10-25 12:00 PM
in reply to: #75744

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Currently: San Diego CA
Subject: RE: Openwater ocean swimming
I did my first competitive ocean swim about a month ago...  ok, it wasn't ocean.  It was part of the Persian Gulf.  But it was sorta the same I suppose.  Not clear blue water like in Hawaii, but a beautiful, hazed, hot sewage brown.  It was tough getting in stride because I was so used to looking down to get my bearings.  Now I had to look up and forward every few strokes and adjust my direction.  But at least the grossness and salinity of the water made me faster.  I wanted to get out of it as quick as I could! 
2004-10-25 7:55 PM
in reply to: #75744

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Keller, TX
Subject: RE: Openwater ocean swimming

I did River Cities in Shreveport in August this year.  That water was scary - blackest, nastiest stuff I've ever swam in.  Took 3 q-tips to clean my ears after the race.  Maybe that's why they have such a great bag there!

I did my first ocean swim in September in California - beautiful blue-green water - my first time in the ocean (and I'm 40).  It was a little scary and pretty cold, but after being in for a while, I felt like I could swim forever there.

I never feel more alive than when I'm doing something new - even if it is in the blackwater of Louisiana.

2004-10-25 8:54 PM
in reply to: #75744

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Raleigh, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Openwater ocean swimming
/looks around for Scuba-Punk
2004-10-25 9:34 PM
in reply to: #75744

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Master
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Marietta, Ga
Subject: RE: Openwater ocean swimming

The salt water is great to swim in, the only downer is the surf and currents, which can extend or shorten a swim, depending on which way you're going.  Salt water makes you more bouyant.  Also, salt is, in and of itself, a preservative.  It prevents the growth of bacteria and other gross stuff, unlike a lake environment.  I'd much rather swim in salt water oceans than a lake any day.

2004-10-26 1:16 AM
in reply to: #75744

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Subject: RE: Openwater ocean swimming
Yup, the only thing better than swimming on the water is diving underneath it. There's stuff down there you wouldn't believe!

Chris

2004-10-26 3:48 AM
in reply to: #75744

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Currently: San Diego CA
Subject: RE: Openwater ocean swimming
And don't forget the fact that the salt water makes you extra thirsty, and shrivles up your lips.
2004-10-26 2:37 PM
in reply to: #75744

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Colorado Springs
Subject: RE: Openwater ocean swimming
Yeah, breathing in a wave makes the rest of your swim less fun...
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