Here we go again - Leinster OSC 2011

PBPumpkin

2 days to the Docklands, thought I'd start a thread for the Summer to discuss races, contorversies etc.

Docklands should be a good start to the season - weather promised warm.

Hopefully the weather will last for the race on Sunday in Sandycove

mad m

Yeah looking forward to it,

I was at the safety meeting last night, going to be a couple of changes. Swim Ireland have said that there has to be at least 3 boats (Civil Defense)or someone manning the boats qualified like the Civil defense present when a races is being held, otherwise Swim Irelands Insurance will not be valid. If there are only two boats its up to the Club organising the race to either say its a GO or a NO. But here is the catch, none of the swimmers will get points or on that particular race will it go towards qualification the Liffey/Dun Laoghaire swims...

Couple of other things but I think they will be mentioned on the day of each race...

Goodluck to all and have a good season.

PBPumpkin

I heard that the Liffey race will finish at a different spot this year - not sure if that means the start will be different too?

secman

best of luck to all the sea swimmers this season, have to miss this season due to injury, hoping to get a few dips in the sea over the coming weeks and get back into training in the Autumn. Will miss the swims this summer, in particular Wicklow, Bray, Liffey & 3k in Wicklow which i really enjoyed last year.

Safe swimming to all.

Secman

mad m

PBPumpkin wrote: »

I heard that the Liffey race will finish at a different spot this year - not sure if that means the start will be different too?

I think the finish will be a bit longer.

kris71

good luck tomorrow everyone

if someone would be looking for race calendar for Leinster follow the link bellow
LeinsterOpenSeaRaces2011

LifesaverNiall

hi im currently doing my leaving cert this year but would be interested in starting sea swimming afterwards as id like to swim in the liffey swim this year..
it says that you have to compete in 5 races and be a member of a swimming club.. do clubs train aften and on what nights.
Could anyone recommend a club closest to Ashbourne Co. Meath?
thanks

swimmer_hoop

Well there's a couple in the Blanchardstown area, Coolmine, NAC, St. Pauls. You could try those clubs and register.

Or if you check www.swimireland.ie I'm fairly sure you can register unattached to any club.

And just because you register to a club doesn't mean you have to train with them. Try the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association, you can register to them online and they will sort out all the Swim Ireland stuffs for you. http://www.ildsa.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=11&Itemid=9

swimmer_hoop

How did the Docklands swim today go? I'm raging I missed it, love swimming in the Liffey!

Seaswimmer

swimmer_hoop wrote: »

How did the Docklands swim today go? I'm raging I missed it, love swimming in the Liffey!

nice swim. Crowd seemed a bit down on last year but still well over 100 for the men. About 1200m i would say. Up towards matt talbot bridge, across the river then a long hard leg down to a buoy beyond the new Sam Beckett bridge. Got fairly hectic at the last buoy when there seemed to be a lot of swimmers together with the faster swimmers coming through. Finished at the stern of the Jeanie Johnson.

swimmer_hoop

Thanks seaswimmer, there's a video posted on youtube with the swims on them, well clips anyway.
Men's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BdJkz7iHf8
Women's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2G2o-D_qpo&feature=related[

Makes me miss being there even more, looks a cracking day. Results are already up online, fair play that's quick. Handicaps seem tougher down the scratch end of things?

PBPumpkin

The first of the Windsurfers swims is on Saturday - hopefully we'll get the weather for it!

mad m

PBPumpkin wrote: »

The first of the Windsurfers swims is on Saturday - hopefully we'll get the weather for it!

Yeah, I like windsurfers and seapoint. The presentation for any prizes is in Goggins Pub across road, monkstown. The pub is putting on a BBQ special for swimmers at 2 euro a burger, so come along and get one...

What you off at PBPumpkin.....:D

Finelli

I heard that there was a 3 Dip swim arranged afterwards to raise funds for Cancer Research - anyone have more details about this?

mad m

Finelli wrote: »

I heard that there was a 3 Dip swim arranged afterwards to raise funds for Cancer Research - anyone have more details about this?

This is being arranged by the ILDSA, its at 3pm and its to do with Ger Carty Channel attempt to raise funds for Cancer Research..Entry is 10euro,Seapoint,40ft,Killiney beach....Buses orgainsed by Dublin mini coaches to bring swimmers to the above destinations.

swimmer_hoop

PBPumpkin wrote: »

The first of the Windsurfers swims is on Saturday - hopefully we'll get the weather for it!

There's something about the return to Windsurfer's, it's like going home I guess!

After missing the first two weekends due to Pool Comps I'm going to miss this weekend also, I'm doing my first 10km in Rome this weekend!

So I just have to wait til next weekend for one of the best weekends of swimming. Friday @ Windsurfers, Saturday my 1st Island race(I'm not counting last years one) and Killiney on Sunday......delicious!

PBPumpkin

A 10k in Rome - sounds great - where did you find out about that?

mad m

swimmer_hoop wrote: »

There's something about the return to Windsurfer's, it's like going home I guess!

After missing the first two weekends due to Pool Comps I'm going to miss this weekend also, I'm doing my first 10km in Rome this weekend!

So I just have to wait til next weekend for one of the best weekends of swimming. Friday @ Windsurfers, Saturday my 1st Island race(I'm not counting last years one) and Killiney on Sunday......delicious!

Killiney was a tough one last week, never before have I swallowed so much sea water...:D

Goodluck with the 10k, you doing pre-qualify for the channel?

swimmer_hoop

PBPumpkin wrote: »

A 10k in Rome - sounds great - where did you find out about that?

It's the 3rd leg of the LEN European Cup, the cup series that Chris Bryan is leading.

I've never done a 10k before so it's a learning experience swim and also with half an eye on maybe doing them for major championships going forward.

PBPumpkin

Good stuff- outa my league though - you must be a flyer!!

swimmer_hoop

Nope, freestyler.......I'll get my coat.....

BillieBob

Hey,

As someone looking to maybe try an openwater swim, how do I find out how long each of the races are? I don't want to aim for a swim and then find out on the day it's 3k!

kris71

Some races have a good description on either event website or club website, if you can't find enough information on-line contact numbers are always provided so just give them a ring and ask about distance

mad m

Most of the Swimleinster swims are in or around 1500/1800meters, there are maybe 5 or more over 2k, Eddie Heron 2.5k,Tommy Dorgan 5k,Carraig masters have a 3k from wicklow harbour, Dun Laoghaire harbour swim 2.2k, Liffey swim 2.2k, I think Liffey might be a bit longer this year . There is also lough Dan on the calender, which are going to be 5 & 10K swims.

PBPumpkin

Lovely swim on Saturday in Windsurfers - well done to Templeogue for organising a great race & for the presentation afterwards!

BTW, the race was 1500m long according to the route map.

Killgore Trout

I don't think it is 1.5K looking at the times and the [URL="URL for this route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4590390"]route [/URL].

PBPumpkin

I looked up distance from Windsurfers to Seapoint on that site, it's saying around 550m.
Surely it's longer than that?

I thought it was more like 1k

Killgore Trout

Might be a K to walk between - but as the crow flies swimmer swims it's around 500.

I see my link re: route was not working - corrected link

mad m

PBPumpkin wrote: »

Lovely swim on Saturday in Windsurfers - well done to Templeogue for organising a great race & for the presentation afterwards!

BTW, the race was 1500m long according to the route map.

Yeah for some reason the two bouys in distance should have been further apart...??

The race on Sunday was lovely also, a shame a couple of people got stung. Someone said it was 2k but think it was just shy of it, did well but got clobbered by faster swimmers at last bouy and lost my momentum...

Seaswimmer

mad m wrote: »

Yeah for some reason the two bouys in distance should have been further apart...??

The race on Sunday was lovely also, a shame a couple of people got stung. Someone said it was 2k but think it was just shy of it, did well but got clobbered by faster swimmers at last bouy and lost my momentum...

I dont think either of those races were anywhere near those distances. I think they are all supposed to be 1500m upwards but when you see good swimmers completing the courses in 13-14 minutes it shows are short they are. Portmarnock was admittedly a bit longer but i think overall the races are too short. If you are making the effort to give up a couple of hours at the weekend you may as well get a good swim.

Of course if you are an average swimmer like me you do get better value for your €10!

LifesaverNiall

for open water swims is it just turn up on the day? or do you have to be registered?

mad m

LifesaverNiall wrote: »

for open water swims is it just turn up on the day? or do you have to be registered?

You have to be registered with a swimming club plus registered with swim ireland through your club, its all for insurance purposes.

mad m

Seaswimmer wrote: »

I dont think either of those races were anywhere near those distances. I think they are all supposed to be 1500m upwards but when you see good swimmers completing the courses in 13-14 minutes it shows are short they are. Portmarnock was admittedly a bit longer but i think overall the races are too short. If you are making the effort to give up a couple of hours at the weekend you may as well get a good swim.

Of course if you are an average swimmer like me you do get better value for your €10!

Yeah agreed, but I suppose its a sickner for those on high handicaps and getting nowhere, but it was supposed to be geared towards the weaker swimmers this year as alot of faster swimmers won alot last year. What are you off at Seaswimmer? A few on high handicaps got up on Sundays race. Well done to Eastern bay for winning team prize.

mad m

This was the distance for Sundays race, the buoys are normally placed up at High Rock Portmarnock...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4591996

Seaswimmer

mad m wrote: »

Yeah agreed, but I suppose its a sickner for those on high handicaps and getting nowhere, but it was supposed to be geared towards the weaker swimmers this year as alot of faster swimmers won alot last year. What are you off at Seaswimmer? A few on high handicaps got up on Sundays race. Well done to Eastern bay for winning team prize.

usually off around the 1.30 minute mark. I suppose every race is different. Sometimes the handicapper handicaps for a 1500m race and if it turns out to be only 1100 or 1200 metres then all the go/pre go people have a good chance.
Alternatively sometimes he handicaps for a 1500m race when it is actually 1500m or more and may be rough and may have a current against the swimmers. In this case all the strong swimmers/high handicaps have plenty of time to catch everyone.

i suppose the only person nearly always guaranteed a prize is the fastest swimmer but that will never be me..

PBPumpkin

Killgore Trout wrote: »

Might be a K to walk between - but as the crow flies swimmer swims it's around 500.

I see my link re: route was not working - corrected link

It must longer than 500 meters from the first yellow buoy off Seapoint to the 5th one at Windsurfers surely?

swimmer_hoop

mad m wrote: »

Yeah agreed, but I suppose its a sickner for those on high handicaps and getting nowhere, but it was supposed to be geared towards the weaker swimmers this year as alot of faster swimmers won alot last year.

It's a bloody tough job the handicapper has and he'll never please everybody, as a general rule, up until this year(I haven't done any races this year yet so I can't comment) it seems that the shorter races(under 20 minutes or approx 1-1.2 km) favour the early swimmers as the later swimmers just don't have enough time to catch up, at times there can be swimmers turning the 2nd buoy before scratch.

But on the swims around 30mins, 1.5k + favour the later swimmers as fitness levels & endurance speed come into play. All in all I think from my experiences it's a fairly good mix!!

Now......can I go a minute earlier please??:D:p

Killgore Trout

I just realised that the Island is the real deal this year. Definitely going to have to do it.

From the Swim Leinster Site:
The Island Swim 25 June 2011
Important Notice from Clontarf SC
The Island swim will be starting this year from the beach on Irelands Eye.
Please make note of the following important times
Registration 4-5pm (Registration closes at 5pm sharp)
Boats leave Howth 5.15pm
Race starts on Irelands Eye at 6pm
Entry fee €20
This year is the 81st running of the Island race and the Capital D TV programme will be filming this year's race.
The post- race reception and prize-giving will be held in Howth Yacht Club.
The Island race is a male only race

Seaswimmer

Killgore Trout wrote: »

I just realised that the Island is the real deal this year. Definitely going to have to do it.

From the Swim Leinster Site:
The Island Swim 25 June 2011
Important Notice from Clontarf SC
The Island swim will be starting this year from the beach on Irelands Eye.
Please make note of the following important times
Registration 4-5pm (Registration closes at 5pm sharp)
Boats leave Howth 5.15pm
Race starts on Irelands Eye at 6pm
Entry fee €20
This year is the 81st running of the Island race and the Capital D TV programme will be filming this year's race.
The post- race reception and prize-giving will be held in Howth Yacht Club.
The Island race is a male only race

According to madm's vey useful pedometer link above this comes in at 2150metres approx assuming we finish at balscadden beach. Thats not even allowing for the tide. A tough swim in prospect!!

mad m

Well from past experiences this wont start from the beach, it starts 100 meters from the beach, as you jump from the boat. Bring a bin liner with you as its great comfort over you when your going out in the boat, its to cover your top half:D

Edit:Oops, they are saying its starting from the beach...hmmm

rokossovsky

mad m wrote: »

Well from past experiences this wont start from the beach, it starts 100 meters from the beach, as you jump from the boat. Bring a bin liner with you as its great comfort over you when your going out in the boat, its to cover your top half:D

Edit:Oops, they are saying its starting from the beach...hmmm

Yes confirmed by Brian over the weekend. Its from the beach. This will make it 2500k to Balscadden. Weather looks ok. Its great to have this classic course back on the calendar.

mad m

rokossovsky wrote: »

Yes confirmed by Brian over the weekend. Its from the beach. This will make it 2500k to Balscadden. Weather looks ok. Its great to have this classic course back on the calendar.

Lovely....Your handicap will go up a bit so don't be surprised....

swimmer_hoop

All things going well it'll be my first Island race, handicaps only given out on the boat?

rokossovsky

swimmer_hoop wrote: »

All things going well it'll be my first Island race, handicaps only given out on the boat?

Good luck with your first Island. Its the best of them all.

rokossovsky

mad m wrote: »

Lovely....Your handicap will go up a bit so don't be surprised....

Oh I see...Mad M eh?....better be nice to you. You looked fetching in your new rubber suit ..er ...wet suit last week. Am I correct?:rolleyes:

mad m

rokossovsky wrote: »

Oh I see...Mad M eh?....better be nice to you. You looked fetching in your new rubber suit ..er ...wet suit last week. Am I correct?:rolleyes:

Hehe....

Finelli

I thought they were penguin suits?

rokossovsky

Is the Carrig race going ahead?

mad m

rokossovsky wrote: »

Is the Carrig race going ahead?

I know its a bit late, but it did go ahead.It was a nice race, it was actually warmer in than out of the water:D...

mad m

What a great day on Saturday for the Island swim, personally it could of done with one more buoy in the middle somewhere as I had to stop a couple of times to correct myself. But all in all a great race and well done to Seamus Stacey (off at 10mins) to catch Gerry Dunne at last buoy (hard luck Gerry).

Here is link to more or less what the course was on the day...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4605551

Also it was a pity that todays race couldnt go ahead because not enough boats.....

rokossovsky

yeah it was a pity about todays race but safety first. Some bad cases of hypothermia yesterday at the island. Swimmers could do worse than pack a 2 euro foil blanket in their swim bag for those that suffer the cold. Great race though fantastic course