General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Lake swims and Burmese pythons Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-08-22 11:02 AM

User image

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

I hate lake swims to begin with. Not a fan of gators and water moccassins and bacteria.

Now I have to worry about pythons? The kind that kill and try to swallow aligators?

There is an Olympic distance tri series that I want to do starting in January. I can't stop thinking about these freaking pythons! I'd rather take my chances with sharks.

Mock the rattled tri-girl if you want, but is anyone at all thinking of pythons in a lake swim? I'm thinking the further south you go, the greater the odds (I think they've been spotted as far north as Manatee County). The tri series I want to do is up near Gainesville.

And I know I'm not alone in my dislike of lake swims.



2009-08-22 12:24 PM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Master
2158
20001002525
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
You are TOTALLY freaking me out.
I do tri's in the Miami/Ft. Lauderale area. Some of them are lake swims in manmade lakes.
Since they are mandmade and near condos, I don't think there is too much of a gator problem, but never thought about the pythons.
Are they known to be aggressive?

By the way, gators are WAY more common in Fla, and way less aggressive than crocodiles.
2009-08-22 12:42 PM
in reply to: #2364055

User image

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

I'm pretty freaked out too! I'm going to look for salt-water Olympics (non-lake swims).

Good news: the Manatee capture turned out to be a hoax. Still ... I'm pretty freaked about it.

You really don't want to watch this.



Edited by Renee 2009-08-22 12:42 PM
2009-08-22 1:05 PM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Expert
793
500100100252525
South Florida
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
I might be wrong, and I know pythons can swim, but I don't think they like the water or like to hunt in the water, they are land animals. I have lived next to a lake in Florida for 25 years. I have never seen a python in a lake, but I have seen them on land.
2009-08-22 1:12 PM
in reply to: #2364078

User image

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

I wish that were the case!

2009-08-22 1:41 PM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Extreme Veteran
508
500
Fleming Island, FL
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
I haven't heard of any pythons in the lakes up in my neck of the woods which is about an hour NE of Gainesville. The series up near Gainesville is probably near Waldo in Lake Alto. I've never swam in that lake, but I drove over and took a look at it when I was considering doing that tri series last year. I'd be more worried about gators and/or snakes in that lake, but not during the triathlon.


2009-08-22 1:48 PM
in reply to: #2364109

User image

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

Yes, that's the location (Waldo) of the Olympic series I was looking at.

My thought (hope) was that the gators and snakes would be mostly dormant in Jan/Feb/March. But if it's been a sparse winter, they might be really hungry. 

2009-08-24 7:20 PM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Extreme Veteran
434
10010010010025
Stuart
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
I think you have a way better chance of lighting strikes, car wreck or even bee stings causing you harm. Has ther ever been a case of someone in Fla getting hurt by a python during any kind of swim? I imagine everything clears out when a couple hundred people hit the water. I have done many lake swims in south Fla without trouble. Waldo is pretty cold in Jan.
2009-08-24 9:24 PM
in reply to: #2367892

User image

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

I know it's a crazy fear, but that photo freaked me out! Give me an ocean swim anyday.

2009-08-24 9:41 PM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Member
26
25
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
I would say your biggest concern in Waldo is the cold water.  The lake is beautiful.  Been up there three times for races & The State of Mind Staff do a great job.  Nothing to fear but fear itself. 
2009-08-24 9:49 PM
in reply to: #2368197

User image

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

I was going to go with a sleeveless wetsuit. Will it be too cold for a sleeveless? I saw the air temp info, but can't find info on water temp.

I usually swim in the Gulf with fears of sharks but I swim through that. As long as I'm in a group of swimmers, I don't worry much. The first Waldo tri had about 20 swimmers total. Just gotta position myself in the middle of the pack.

 



2009-08-25 8:58 AM
in reply to: #2368210

User image

Expert
1210
1000100100
Near Tampa
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
Renee - stop freaking me out - you know I hate lakes but I also wanna do the winter series....
I dont wanna believe that pic, but I know it's real.  Glad I don't look like a gator or have scales nor will I be napping by the lake shore.

Anyone else, i also want to know if the lake might require a longjohn or a full wetsuit - I will be purchasing a wetsuit soon, and take advantage of the end of summer sales.
2009-08-25 9:22 AM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Extreme Veteran
626
50010025
Wahiawa, Hawaii.... but now in Florence, KY..
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
lol, i was just think the other day, i hope olman doesn't see this post...
2009-08-25 10:21 AM
in reply to: #2368865

User image

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

Hah! Yeah, I know. I can see the swim start now ...

 

Race Director: Annnnd GO!

Me: After you, Olman

Olman: Ladies first!

Me: I'm right behind ya!

Olman: I'll watch your back.

Me: I ..

Race Director: GET IN THE WATER!!!!

2009-08-25 10:40 AM
in reply to: #2369098

User image

Expert
1210
1000100100
Near Tampa
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
yeah, that sums it up - LOL
2009-08-25 10:49 AM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Champion
8766
5000200010005001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
Uh, I can't tell which creature is which in that picture.

And you have officially freaked out the new Florida resident.  All I thought I had to worry about was sharks!


2009-08-25 12:06 PM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Extreme Veteran
626
50010025
Wahiawa, Hawaii.... but now in Florence, KY..
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

i'm gonna paint some big eyes on my belly so i look like a bigger animal... 

2009-08-25 12:18 PM
in reply to: #2369449

User image

Expert
1210
1000100100
Near Tampa
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
do orca whales swim in lakes?  no?
I guess I won't be buying that Orca wetsuit afterall. 
2009-08-29 8:54 AM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Member
51
2525
Vero Beach, FL
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
I think you've got a better chance of getting struck by lightning while holding a winning Powerball ticket than you do of seeing a Burmese Python during a triathlon.
2009-09-01 9:58 PM
in reply to: #2363994

Regular
92
252525
Vero Beach
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons
I did the Jan race last year and was glad that I had a full suit. There were some sleeveless suits and one guy went commando (well he had on shorts). You could get by with a sleeveless but I would definitely recommend a full...Jason
2009-09-07 12:46 PM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

New user
63
2525
West Coast/Central Florida
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

I was wondering about gators, I don't even want to think of anything else in the lakes!!!  I'm w/you; I'd rather swim in the salt water!  Who goes in fist and "scares" the gators and snakes away?  Makes me not want to be last because there'd be no one left to save me!!!  Good luck!



2009-09-10 10:42 AM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

New user
63
2525
West Coast/Central Florida
Subject: RE: Lake swims and Burmese pythons

What's the name of this race?  How do you find it online?

2009-09-10 11:05 AM
in reply to: #2363994

User image

Extreme Veteran
626
50010025
Wahiawa, Hawaii.... but now in Florence, KY..
Subject: http://www.stateofmindsports.com/florida/gville.html
www.stateofminds.com/florida/gville.html
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Lake swims and Burmese pythons Rss Feed