Anyone doing Welland tri?

I'm doing the Half IM at Welland but I still have to sign up.

I'm doing the sprint.  I've never done it before... hopefully it'll be a good route.

I'm signed up but will be switching to the duathlon instead.  I've pulled the plug on swimming.

WOW! Daffodil, great success on HIM! 
Kimmax, will see you on the course!
Course is totally flat but pretty along the canal!
 

Ray - don't give up on swimming! It took me over 2+ years for the swim technique to click. I was always bottom quartile in swim... I dreaded the swim before every race and then one day it started to make sense... Even though I'm still only a mid-pack swimmer, I look forward to the swim as the only relaxing, non-painful leg of the race.

I'm looking forward to the Welland race. One of the few HSBC courses I haven't done and I hear its a good one to put down a fast time.

I asked my cousin today why she decided against Welland and she said she was advised against swimming in the canal...!!??  Has anyone ever swam in it before?  Can it really be worse than swimming in Lake Ontario?

In my experience is that the HSBC races run by John Salt (the Race Director) are very good about only racing in clean water. John seems a little anal about this and I'm grateful for it.
Every HSBC race I've ever done had good water quality. 

Some of the swims I've done in the Subaru races did not feel as clean (I'm thinknig of Guelph Lake and to some degree Kelso (Milton) and Belwood.

Kimmax, my triathlon club trains in it weekly every season . No worries there!

Thanks   it will be my second Half IM.  First was a few years ago in Peterborough.

Hi
We train in that canal every week. It's fine. I actually prefer swimming there because it's calm and not busy.
No one has gotten any wild illnesses yet.

Swam in it last night...was actually fairly warm close to 70's. Yes a few swimming green monsters but it was fairly clean and they are still doing work on it for the 26th so I am not worries at all...Enjoyed the swim because it was very calm waters...you'll enjoy it!

What are these "swimming green monsters"?

X2 Please define!!

No worries, just a bit of seaweed...in a canal. I survived it and I'm fine! My last OWS was in Wasaga last Sept. It was sandy and rough so there were no seaweed! Just thought I would mention it. It is clean and there are no problems with it! Like some others said, Out triclub train in it everyweek! Best of luck and see you on the course in a month!

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I'll be there doing the 'sprint'.

I will be doing the 1/2 iron.

Bopper
Good point. Unless they've changed it this year, the run from the water to transition is long, probably one of the longest in the series, and it is partially across gravel. Many people had some form of a shoe waiting for them after the swim. Wish I had thought of that. I advise a walk from the water to transition when you get to the race so you're prepared and there are no surprises.

I will be there doing my first 1/2 IM, thanks for all the tips and information about the course.

Everyone get their race deets?  I still can't decide whether or not to wear a wetsuit.  I have one but I've never done a race without one.  That said it's always a pain in the butt and I struggle to get it off.

I was surprised by the time trial start by bib # - I've never done that sort before.  I hope I have a low bib number

Good luck everyone!!

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Congrats to Ray on his medal and congrats to all the finishers...Will be on the run course tomorrow am volunteering. Look for a shorty with the Tryforce Team! 

Water was warm! Don't need the suit!

I wore mine after all.  Wasn't feeling hot this morning and decided I needed all the help I could get.  Water was nice though.

Hope everyone had a great race!  Some pretty fast people out there today!!