2015 Carlsbad Triathlon Swim Buddies

[Chuck Pateros]

Carlsbad Triathlon Swim Buddies,

THANKS THANKS THANKS!

Note race start time: 7:30 AM!!! 

We still need more buddies, so please encourage your friends to visit http://goo.gl/forms/1K3d0PNsQj to register (use the same link to cancel if necessary).  

See you at or before 7:00 Sunday morning!  There will be parking issues, so be prepared for a nice long walk.  I live a mile away and should have the longest walk of anybody. Come to the volunteer registration area, register and fill out the waiver.  Volunteer registration is normally at the top of the hill, in the grassy area north of Tamarack, roughly across from the west end of Cherry Avenue.  If you can't find it, just ask anyone working the race.  Once you've done that, come down the stairs at the foot of Cherry Street.  

I recommend that you bring a small bag with goggles, towel, wetsuit (if necessary) and maybe a change of clothes.  The race officials will provide us with black swim caps.  There is an outdoor shower at the top of the hill and a relatively disgusting bathroom in which to change.  We will have a guarded area to store our stuff, although I doubt that they have enough room for bikes. 

If you do need to cancel, please use the registration form or email me ASAP. 

 

Waves are every 5 minutes from 7:30 to 8:15.  People who do the first wave or two might be able to get in two laps, but I wouldn't count on it. Here is the schedule from last year:

 1 7:30 a.m. ELITE/MEN 30-34/ CHALLENGED PURPLE

 2 7:35 a.m. MEN 35-39 RED

 3 7:40 a.m. MEN 40-44 BLUE

 4 7:45 a.m. MEN 29 & UNDER GREEN

 5 7:50 a.m. MEN 45-54 YELLOW

 6 7:55 a.m. MEN 55+/CLYDESDALES ORANGE

 7 8:00 a.m. WOMEN 29 & UNDER LIGHT BLUE

 8 8:05 a.m. WOMEN 30-39 DAYGLO GREEN

 9 8:10 a.m. WOMEN 40+/ATHENAS DAYGLO PINK

10 8:15 a.m. RELAYS WHITE

If you are here to support a specific racer or racers, that is fine.

See below for a guide and remember these points:

You are not a lifeguard.  Keep your distance.  If your swimmer is distressed, wave a lifeguard over.

Talk to them and get their name.  If they are fine after the surf entry, consider coming back for another wave.    

Racers can stop at a lifeguard board and use it as a rest stop - no penalty other than the time they take.

Did I forget to say thanks?  

Thanks!

Chuck

Old post on the swim buddy experience:

Bob Cunningham  via yahoogroups.com 10/5/09

I keep seeing many of the same "regulars" in the Swim Buddy crowd, with relatively few new faces at each event.  I'd love to see every club member have at least one experience as a Swim Buddy!

For those of you wondering about being a Swim Buddy, I believe it falls into the category of "Just Do It".  If you have never been a Swim Buddy, all I can say is it is a terrific experience.   Just ask anyone who has been a Swim Buddy.

What do you need to do?  Swim slow, observe your swimmer, say encouraging words, and keep your swimmer on-course but away from traffic.

As a Swim Buddy, your job is simply to "escort" your swimmer through the course.  To instill confidence and prevent panic, and occasionally help deal with panic when it does occur.

You aren't a lifeguard: If your swimmer gets into trouble, your job is to immediately wave a lifeguard over.

You aren't a swim coach: The main advice you'll give is: "Start Slow and Take It Easy!".

Of course, if the opportunity presents itself, encourage your swimmer to join TCSD to take advantage of all the free swim clinics we offer!

What is a typical Swim Buddy experience?

Before a wave starts, the announcer will point out the Swim Buddies in the light blue caps, and encourage anyone with any concerns about open-water swimming to ask for a Swim Buddy.  When you see a swimmer raise a hand, walk over and introduce yourself.  Be sure to get your swimmer's first name: Talking to your swimmer using his/her name is a key factor in preventing and managing panic.

First, if your swimmer is NOT wearing a wetsuit, ask if they have ever had to tread water in the ocean.  If not, plan your course to go "lifeguard hopping".  Sometimes, all the lifeguards line up on one side of the course (typically away from shore), and you will want to plan accordingly.

Be sure to ask your swimmer which side they breathe on, and swim on that side so you can be seen by the swimmer at each breath.  If your swimmer is unsure which side they breathe on, start between your swimmer and the rest of the wave.

Before the start, talk your swimmer through the course.  Try to provide a picture of what will happen, and how you expect it to go.  Know the number of buoys on the course, which are on the left, which are on the right, and where the final turn to the exit is.  Tell your swimmer that you'll be starting behind and at the edge of the group, so faster swimmers won't be blasting through.  Be sure to mention that you'll be starting out very slow, to get a feel for the water, then can speed up later if everything goes well.

When the wave starts, give a final reminder to "Go slow and easy!", and go out with your swimmer.

Some newbie and pool-only swimmers will run out of gas after only 25-50 yards.  Some will panic when the first signs of exhaustion are felt.  If this happens, get your swimmer to REST.  In a wetsuit, this means asking them to stop all hand and leg motion, and to quietly float either vertically or on their back.  If your swimmer is not wearing a wetsuit, wave a lifeguard over immediately, so your swimmer can cling to the board to rest.

That's about as difficult as it gets.

The final step of being a Swim Buddy is to cheer and clap as your swimmer exits the water.  You'd be amazed how often that gets all the other spectators to cheer for your swimmer!  Your swimmer will never have another "First Tri".  You get to help make it not only more successful, but also more memorable.

The best part comes after the race: I can't count the times I've had swimmers come up to me and thank me for helping them.  My usual reply is to remind them that they did all the work, and that attending TCSD swim clinics will make their next tri go even better!

At yesterday's MB Tri, I had just buddied with a swimmer, when a swimmer I had buddied with at the IB Tri ran up and said "Sue, you are going to do so well!  Bob swam with me at my first tri!"  My swimmer immediately relaxed, and I had nothing to do as she had a great and uneventful swim.

There are many other great moments that come with being a Swim Buddy.  I've had swimmers exit the water shouting and crying with joy, amazed that they had just completed the first leg of their first tri.  I can't count the hugs I've gotten then and after the race.

If you aren't competing, please consider being a Swim Buddy!  If you want, you can team up with another Swim Buddy for a time or two, before you take a swimmer on your own.

I have never met a Swim Buddy who ever regretted it.  Not one!

-BobC