IM Swim - wave start advice?

JenHen

IMCoz has switched to a wave start this year. I saw the other thread about swim seeding and fast cyclists. I'm not a fast cyclist, nor am I a fast swimmer -- so I will be one of the people that those in the other thread will be passing.  My wave is the third to start - with the men starting behind me. To add to my slow speed, I also have some water anxiety issues. I've made it through 2 other IM swims by just starting in my own space away from all the madness. But now it seems that madness will be hunting me down in the water. Anybody have any advice? The only thing I can think of is to swim further away from the buoys so that I'm not on the fastest line, and hope that people will be kind as they swim over me.

Bruce Thompson

Jennifer...I'm sure the coaches & WSM will chime in but here are my $.02.  The wave start does space things out so it won't as crazy as a mass start.  That's good thing #1 for you.  Good thing #2 is that the water in COZ is very clear so people will be able to see you, and hence better able to avoid knocking into or swimming over you as they come up from behind.  Remember...they really don't want to swim over or bang into you either as that slows them down too.  I'd suggest that you still start at the back of your wave to minimize the craziness in the first few minutes until you get into a rythem and get stettled into your swim.   I like you idea of swimming away from the buoy line where the fastest swimmers in each wave will be.  That will minimize (but not eliminate) the number of super fast people in following waves who will be coming upon you.  Hope this helps.  So when swimming in COZ, look for tropical fishes like Nemo and tell yourself to do as she did -- "just keep swimming, just keep swimming".

Robert Sabo

While I have not done IM Coz, this might be helpful. I'm sure you know it's a point to point swim with very few turns and with the current. The salt water should give you significant bouancy to be closer to a wetsuit swim. There are only eight waves and you should be able to make it well beyond the first bouy at 100m and head wide before the next wave comes through. It looks like a very pretty swim and I would expect a very enjoyable swim once you get around the first bouy.
Enjoy and have a great day.

JenHen

Thanks so much to you both! Your responses help a lot

just keep swimming...perfect mantra for the morning!

tim cronk

@Jennifer.... IMCOZ with wave starts will probably be as good a swim as you could ask for in an IM.... Its a low number participant race .... Couple years ago it was the calmest MASS start I have ever experienced... Its an awesome swim with 100% water visibility .... Don't think you need to swim extra distance to try and stay out of anyone's way.... Enjoy!

JenHen

Thanks Tim!