Colonial International or Tidewater Tri

Depends on your location..

I have friends that have done the Tidewater Tri. There were some complaints.

Tidewater was change this year even more than past years, it is basically a sprint now.

I have never done Tidewater, but I did Colonial as my first Oly last year. A very well-run event with a good course. I would recommend it.

Colonial is not that far away from Tidewater!  Better course (more shade) and no jellyfish in the swim!

Thanks for all the great info.  Now I  gotta see if I'm up for the oly or sprint.  probably the sprint this year and oly next year.

Colonial, much better safer course. However, 2007 water temp was 79 but due to jelly fish they allowed wetsuits.

Ever been to Hampton?

Colonial Beach, like any of the saline tributaries to the Bay, can and sometimes does have jelly fish. However, in my experience they have always been the stinging nettles that really aren't too bad.

I agree with the assessment that CB is safer than Tidewater. Road surface conditions are better at CB, there are fewer intersecting roads and less traffic on the race course. And for whatever reason (chance?) I've seen some nasty crashes at Tidewater (including a cyclist t-boning a vehicle that went through an improperly managed intersection) but not at CB.