Belwood Lake

I did the sprint last year without a wetsuit and while the air was cool, the water was really nice and almost - dare I say - warm. 

Just swim faster and you'll warm up in no time   Good luck!  It's a beautiful course.

Anyone know what the water temperature is up to?  With this heat wave, I'm really hoping for a non-wetsuit swim because I've never done one.  The GRCA website says the outflow from the bottom of the damn is 63 degrees, but that doesn't relate very strongly to the reservoir surface temperature.

Here's the GRCA temperature site: http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?sec=2&sub1=7&sub2=1

Has there ever been a non-wetsuit swim in Ontario?

RD gets to make the decision on race day, but given the heat it may not be wetsuit legal.  I hope it is, because it helps guys like me close a little bit of the swim disadvantage.  But if it's going to be too hot, even if legal, I may just go without.

I assume they'll allow wetsuits no matter what - especially for the try-a-tri.  The race email that went out yesterday suggested the use of wetsuits - even if to boost rentals from a sponsor.   I am torn - i prefer to know i have the extra bouyance as I've never done an OWS without but know very well it could be warm ... very warm.

Come on - you've done an HIM, you'll be fine for a 1km swim.  The wetsuit is just your safety blanket (mine too if I'm honest), but there's no reason I can't go the distance without it.

As to the Try a Tri, they really don't it.  Doesn't really help when you're doing the breaststroke (how I ended up doing my first one).

heh. Thanks for the 'HTFU' reminder!  I did end up wearing my wetsuit and I thought the water was pretty warm, too.  I got to the water with about 3 mins to spare so i didn't get a chance to get in an 'awful-ize' about it - just went.  I was glad to have it - the beginning was a little congested ...  for me it was a good race, good effort - though my AG results certainly wouldn't indicate that! hahaha

The bike course was generally fun but in a couple of spots there were some 18-wheeles that got awfully close to bikes. Scary to watch.

My first time at Belwood this year, and I really enjoyed it!

I was one of the few who took off their wetsuit prior to the start. I probably would have been fine wearing it, but I had a really bad experience in Guelph Lake I Sprint Triathlon which made me a little anxious.

I think I will keep this on my calendar for next year as it is a great course to set some personal bests!

crmorton....if I am looking at the results correctly...congrats on your podium finish. First in your AG...not to shabby.

Thanks very much, I am very happy with my result, and have some high expectations in the future! I have been taking advice from several BTer's and it seems to be paying off already!

Belwood is probably my favourite tri course - the swim is long, the bike roads are currently well paved, and the run is shaded.  The final 500m of the run going over the dam can make for some challenging sprints to the finish too.  I could see crmorton finish, but couldn't do anything about

I'm surprised that more people don't come out for it, given how close it is to the Guelph Lake venue.  Only 367 competitors compared to 607 at GL1 sprint this year.

I agree, its a great location and very fast course. In comparison with GL1 sprint, Belwood has incredible road conditions.

I have a feeling we may have some tight finishes in the future (you took GL1, I took Belwood). Hope to see you at more races this year.

Shhhhh let's keep it our little secret!!  This was my third year doing Belwood and I have to say it's my favourite course so far.  I opted not to wear a wet suit - again - last year was my first year without.  I love that it's warm enough not to bother. 

I really like triathlon but don't have a lot of natural ability.  It's 100% effort all the freaking time.  Sometimes I can hide that fact but not at Belwood - I'm always a bopper and I'm ALWAYS impressed at just how fast EVERYone is - even in the older age groups - it's very humbling/inspiring to have 55-65 year olds zip past me effortlessly. Fingers crossed I might be that fast in 20 years!!

Congrats on the podium CM