ATC Canal swim?

[bclark]

Hiya

 

In the past I would go visit my laws, and swim in Saldanha, with my brother in law canoing behind me. With my brother in law in the army (Major), he has now been reassigned / transferred to Pretoria.

So that option of 'guided' swimming is no longer available to me.

 

Im looking for new ways to improve but really to increase my confidance in open water swimming.

 

I just found on the ATC website that there is a membership option called ATC swimming.

From what I can gather this will allow someone to join the canal swims.

 

And I believe these are the routes they use http://www.atlantictriclub.co.za/default.asp?pageid=3795

 

So a question I would like to ask, is anyone a member of ATC, and does these canal swims?

Are these swims, monitored by life guards etc.

And then lastly, (and this is a silly question), what it like, swimming in the canal?

 

Although I have done a few triathlons (1 full 70.3, and DNF on my second 70.3), I dont consider myself a confidant open water swimmer. Im looking to fix that.

Im looking at going to Silvermine, but I would like that 'watchful eye' option.

 

If anyone replies, I would like to ask a few more questions, if you dont mind.

 

Thanks

Brent

[bclark]

Sorry something I should have added, I tried looking at joining Embark, but I cant for financial reasons, but also because of I cant attend scheduled time events.

 

So my Tri training, I have to go it alone.

 

Thanks

Brent

[gadget]

Hiya

 

In the past I would go visit my laws, and swim in Saldanha, with my brother in law canoing behind me. With my brother in law in the army (Major), he has now been reassigned / transferred to Pretoria.

So that option of 'guided' swimming is no longer available to me.

 

Im looking for new ways to improve but really to increase my confidance in open water swimming.

 

I just found on the ATC website that there is a membership option called ATC swimming.

From what I can gather this will allow someone to join the canal swims. Steve always keep an eye out and the orange cap help that we look out for each other

 

And I believe these are the routes they use http://www.atlantict...asp?pageid=3795

 

So a question I would like to ask, is anyone a member of ATC, and does these canal swims?

Are these swims, monitored by life guards etc.

And then lastly, (and this is a silly question), what it like, swimming in the canal?

 

Although I have done a few triathlons (1 full 70.3, and DNF on my second 70.3), I dont consider myself a confidant open water swimmer. Im looking to fix that.

Im looking at going to Silvermine, but I would like that 'watchful eye' option.

 

If anyone replies, I would like to ask a few more questions, if you dont mind.

 

Thanks

Brent

 

To join the ATC swim you have to be a member of ATC (either Multisport, swimming), swim with their orange cap and start and finish in the planned time (i.e. you can't go and splash about yourself as there's boats using these canals.

 

Its not monitored by life guards but the canal is about as deep as a pool's deep end and the side is always at most 20m away. So I guess you're as safe as in an open pool. Steve always keeps an eye out while swimming with us and everyone keeps an eye on everyone as the orage caps makes it easy to see each other.

 

The canal is great for sighting, can be cold, can stink some times of the year. But it is clean and awesome. I don't use it anymore as I'm lazy, but I would gearing up towards Ironman again.

[sluiper]

I'm not an ATC member and I can't speak about the canal, but I can recommend doing the 1SOMS (http://www.1soms.co.za) for open water training.

 

It's a 1 mile swim held every 1st Sunday of the month. (1SOMS = 1st Sunday Of the Month Swim) from Clifton 4th Beach.

 

The swim is well attended with about 60 of us doing it last Sunday. There are lifeguards on duty as well as a bunch of guys on paddle-skis. Entry is R50 if you book beforehand, so it's very affordable.

 

In terms of open water confidence the 1SOMS has made a massive difference to me. I'm so much more comfortable in open water now than I was a few months ago.

 

I also know that both Embark and ATC use the swim as their open water training swim, as a large contingency of both groups was there this Sunday.

[BlinkFan]

I've done a couple of the swims, but have also been lazy during winter. Like gadget said:

1. It's clear and you can always see to the bottom

2. It can be cold

3. Sometimes the water does stink, but nothing serious.

4. It's VERY salty, so I'm sure nothing can survive in there. So it's should be pretty clean.

 

The times I've joined the swim we were anything between 15-25 people. You always swim close to the side (arrangement with the boats), and there are ladders etc. at regular intervals if you do have a problem.

 

I'll probably start swimming again now that tri season is starting.

[reteid]

what sluiper and 2xu said.the only way to swim open water is to practice open water swimming.

[bclark]

Guys !!!

 

Thank you ever so much.

 

Joined, paid, emailed proof of payment.

 

Nervous as hell now.

 

Regards

Brent

[reteid]

Guys !!!

 

Thank you ever so much.

 

Joined, paid, emailed proof of payment.

 

Nervous as hell now.

 

Regards

Brent

big thumbs up.remember to breath out under the water,breath in above the water,let the wetsuite keep you afloat and just swing your arms.

[Red Zone]

How "open water" is the canal, unless you are dealing with swell, waves, currents, chop etc... you may as well be in the pool.

[sluiper]

How "open water" is the canal, unless you are dealing with swell, waves, currents, chop etc... you may as well be in the pool.

 

No, no: a salty, stinky pool without lanes.

 

[gadget]

My advice is to e-mail Gert to ensure he has a Orange Cap for you on the day. I think the canal swim is at 16:00. Be there! I'll be lazy on the couch sipping on a Heineken btw

How "open water" is the canal, unless you are dealing with swell, waves, currents, chop etc... you may as well be in the pool.

 

In a pool you have lines to follow. In this you need learn to to sight - a big skill to ensure you swim the shortest line

[mon-goose]

I used to swim with them last year. the water is cold and seriously salty, at least you get to swim without having to turn every 25m. So you get practice swimming with a wetsuit, get used to cold water and salt. It is very safe and you swim at your own pace and just turn back when you want to. Great bunch of people there and they're very friendly.

[mon-goose]

In summer the swims move to a friday morning around 6am so just check with them. I think it may even move to a friday this week or next

[mon-goose]

also have a look at ntri.co.za They're organising a few open water swims during winter and they look like good introduction to open water swimming. They've had an event at hillcrest and zevenwacht farms. Probably nicer than the canal but still as cold and the laps are shorter distance.

 

Then in november the wpaquatics start their series. 1st one is in grabouw on the 2nd and has a 5km, 3km, 1km and 400m swim

[bclark]

Good Guys

 

I got my, ATC Membership Application notification.

Supper excited, but nervous as hell.

 

A few questions I would like to ask is.

Do you decide how far you want to swim?

Provided I keep left, if at any point, I want to turn around and head back, may I?

 

In the pool, Im averaging 2.6ks. But as we all know open water is a totally different beast, and I know myself, im gonna be so exhausted, by the time I reach the apartment blocks, due to working myself up.

But im excited I join, and I cant wait to overcome this fear.

 

If anyone can give me a run down, of what is be expected, and how the distance is to be decided etc on the day, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sorry if these are silly questions.

 

Thanks to everyone that replied.

Brent

[mon-goose]

You decide as you're swiming how far you want to and can swim. You sign in before you enter the water so they know how many people are in the water. You can swim as far as you want and simply get out and walk back if you want to, or turn around and swim back, entirely up to you. You don't have to decide before you get in. The canal is very safe and easy to get out of, just look for the stairs all along the way. See how you feel when you get to the island area and if you're feeling great then carry on. If not then turn around and swim back.

 

I was very nervous when I started and thought I'd make it around the island, after 300m I decided not and swam back. But I wasn't that fit and my wetsuit was way too small and I couldn't handle the cold water...

 

It's really not as scary as you feel. After my first swim there I realised it was great fun. All the best and let us know how it goes