What's a good first OLY distance tri?

[dmagic17]

I've been doing sprints for years but I've always been hesitant to step up to OLY or HIM distance out of fear of the swim. Sometimes Lake Erie can be rough to get through even at the sprint distance. Any suggestions on a local OLY tri that would have the most bearable swim? I'm thinking something like the portage lakes since it's probably pretty calm. I would think the Greater Cleveland at Mentor could get pretty rough. Thoughts?

[Eric]

HFP's race in Vermilion is a good option despite being in Lake Erie. The water has always been calm on race day. Plus it is quite shallow and you can stand if struggling.

Greater Cleveland is definitely more likely to have rougher water. It all depends upon the weather and how strong of a swimmer you are.

Portage lakes is definitely calm. But you could find the course "tighter" with people swimming closer to each other.

It really comes down to how comfortable you are and how strong of a swimmer you are. Don't forget that the lifeguards are always present. As long as you don't make any forward movement you can hang on a rescue boat/board/ tube with no penalty.

where have you been doing your open water swimming at?

[Kim Zepp]

This might not be helpful since the race was last week - but if you're planning ahead for next year, MiltonMan was GREAT! The swim was in Lake Milton - no waves at all. The bike couse was flat and fast, too. It's run by Champ Racing.
Portage Lakes is good. Deer Creek (June) and Caesar Creek (July) are both good, too, but might require an overnight stay.
Oh - HFP's Flag City in Findlay (July) was really good too. The bike course there was totally flat. But again, that would have to be a plan for next year.
All of the races I listed have Olympic or Sprint distances. Hope this helps some.
I have also done an Oly at all of these, so if you have more questions about any of the courses, let me know.
Kim

[dmagic17]

Thanks for the input. I've done a few open waters at Munroe Falls this year, but have been limited to the pool for the most part. Living in Parma, most of the good OW spots are a hike for me.

[jimdehner]

If you are intimidated by the swim look for tri's that are in smaller bodies of water - Lake Erie can change from clam to rough very quickly - Portage is a good race - the swim parallels the shore and it is a 2 loop course for the Oly - there is race down in Springfield area - the great buckeye challenge - sprint, oly and 1/2 distances - the course is good and the swim parallels a sand beach the entire distance - very swim friendly. now the other part - to get over the anxiety you need to swim frequently in open water - there are a number of groups that swim in Lake Erie - go up and swim with them every chance you get - I live in Akron and yes it is a hike - it also makes a big difference in confidence

[MattCollister]

I think Portage Lakes, at this point in the year, is your best bet for a race nearby on an inland lake.

Lake Erie is a crapshoot. GCT is great all around, but the swim environment tends to be a bit more challenging, and the swim's even been cancelled a couple of times per the USCG. Then there's the Lorain tri ... Rick had to shorten the swim and put it all inside the breakwall last year. So we ended up with a something that was part swim, part beach run, and part waist-deep water run. We had a beautiful, calm day for Vermilion last year, and if I remember correctly, that swim is inside a breakwall. But I would bet that even that venue gets really choppy if the wind kicks up.

[watchman]

I agree about portage lakes race. Always calm. The only issue is it gets pretty cold by then

[dmagic17]

I think I'll shoot for portage lakes. It will also give me some time to get some more open waters in and gives me some time to get a wetsuit.

I did the sprint at Lorain last year when they moved the swim inside the wall. Quite an experience.

I'm going to try to get to Columbia beach for next Tuesday's OW session.

[marsitam]

For training, I would also recommend the Liquid Lifestyles open water clinics on Thursdays...You're in open water and in a group so it can feel like race conditions. But it's also in a smaller, controlled area. Leah changes it up every session--I have gone to a few of them and I always pick up good tips. Unfortunately, the clinics are at Columbia as well...so you still have the drive.

[benmiralia]

Maumee Bay. Inland lake, dead flat bike and run.