Contact Lenses during swimming/racing??

I wore contacts during races and pool training for a couple of years before finally getting Lasik with absolutely no isssues.  Given the fact that I only wore contacts during those times and would rely on my glasses all others my eyes were already sensitive to the contacts as it was, but there were no addt'l problems due to water exposure.  As was already mentioned, just get yourself a good pair of goggles that don't leak, and if you do use any chemicals (anti-fog) prior to a swim be sure to rinse the goggles out thoroughly.  

I've worn contacts while swimming for 15 years or more.  Raced tris for years with contacts.  I would bring my glasses and keep in my bag in case of emergency, but it never occurred.  

I now only race in swimming.  And I do not wear contacts while at a swim meet.  I lose my goggles too often going off the blocks.  But for open water and tri swims?  Practice swims?  I wear contacts.

Thanks for all the insightful replies. I am going to go forward with the contacts and look forward to the freedom of not having to worry about my glasses and most importantly being able to see during the swim. 

Thanks again for all the informative information.

Thanks

Your doctor's recommendation about contacts and swimming is uninformed BS.  I have never heard of such a thing from an eyecare professional.  

This is my 16th season as a triathlete, with countless laps in the pool, 11 Ironmans in oceans and lakes, 10 half Ironmans, etc.  All wearing my contacts.  I have never lost a lens or had any sort of infection.  I carry a Ziploc bag with spare contacts, hand wipes, and eye drops in my race gear on the bike.  I have never had to use it.

I've worn contacts for the last 36 years; -6.0 correction for nearsightedness and in recent years astigmatism correction. I wear Accuvue Oasis extended wear contacts. These are the kind you can sleep in and I generally do most nights.  They recommend you give your eyes a chance to "breath" overnight once or twice a week, even with extended wear contacts.  They are also supposed to be replaced every two weeks with a new pair.  They are not expensive, a few hundred for contacts for the year is well worth it.

My eyes are wind-sensitive which can be common even without wearing contacts.  I always wear sunglasses to bike or run, even clear or yellow lenses in the dark.  Otherwise my eyes will water like crazy, and then I'll run out of tears, and have terrible dry-eye.  Even with eye protection, a long day of Ironman length racing (12-14 hours) will dry out my eyes and I'll be using eye drops and re-wetting solution in the evening.