Any Buzzards Bay vets? Thoughts on the swim?

Hey Zuzu,

I signed up for this one last year but it was canceled due to the hurricane threat and road debris.  However, I did have a chance to swim there a few times.  As with any ocean swim, conditions can be very different from day to day.  Some days calm, others choppy and challenging.  Then there's the tide that can make things very different as well.  I did not find this swim to be particularly challenging, actually in late Sept. the water is very warm and clean there.
The only specifics about this swim area is the amount of walking you have to do to get out to the channel where you can swim and back in.  There is quite a bit of walking on slippery boulders-especially if the tide is low and you don't have enough room to swim over them.
Ultimately, you will just need to get some experience in the ocean to gain a comfort level with those conditions.  Once you get a few ocean swims under your belt, the anxiety will fade and you may even enjoy the ocean more than any pool or lake.
Also, I'm sure many of us will be swimming there as the race gets closer so you can hook up with us and swim together.
Good Luck,

Kevan

wow.. That swim sounds terrible.. i was also signed up for last years event. NOw I am happy it was cancelled. lakes for me....

Thanks Kevan - I appreciate the detailed feedback. Sounds a bit intimidating for a first-time ocean swim. I think I'll skip it and work on my ocean skills next season!

Sadly, though, this means the end of my tri season, as there aren't any other races I can do in Aug/Sept. I've offered to volunteer at the Title 9 race and will change gears and start training for the Tufts 10K in October.

Thanks again for your help, and good luck to you in whatever races/adventures are ahead for you!

-Zuzu

Looks like there's a tri in Dover on the same day as Buzzards Bay with reg still open.  Swim is a lake swim (Farm Pond), so no need for ocean prep.  I don't know anything about this one, but it was on the list of open weekends for me so I've kept it on the potential list.
Dover Boosters Tri

Hi Zuzu,

There's also the  Fantastic Nantasket Beach Triathlon
Hull, Massachusetts -  September 27, 2009 - 12:00 PM
Swim 1/4 mile   -   Bike 10 miles   -   Run 3 miles

As of today, it appears it's still open.

Hi,
I think the swim is at Damaris Lloyd State park so you can check it out before hand.  It's a beautiful site and work a beach day trip.

I am trying the natasket beach tri in sept...it is pretty short swim, 1/4 mile so I thought it may be a good one to try my 1st ocean tri.  There is also the TDD in Douglas MA on the 19th ...not listed here on bt.