Rolling swim start guidance

[Deleted User]

Doing Wisconsin 70.3 on June 11. it is a rolling swim start. I've never done a rolling swim start before. I've only done wave starts or mass starts for the swim. Can you point me to any resources / discussions / tips on the pros and cons as well as others' experiences on how to approach rolling swim starts.

ABBEY BONNER

Hi Tony, I've done a couple of IM 70.3 races that have had rolling starts, and I've also experienced mass swim starts.    

Typically you join the swim queue with other competitors.  Volunteers hold "swim time" boards along certain sections of the queue (fastest towards the front), and you put yourself in the queue near your predicted "swim time" board.  As long as everyone self-seeds properly you should be entering the swim with competitors who will be swimming at a similar speed to you.  

More volunteers/officials stand at the timing chip entrance and when the race starts they let a row of swimmers (often 4 or 5 swimmers at a time) to pass the mat (start the race) at timed intervals.  In my last race, this was done in time to an audible beep (a bit like the bleep in a bleep test).  I think it was in 10-second intervals.  You then pass the map and jump into the lake or enter the sea; dependent on where you're swimming.

The Pros:  Safer than mass-starts.  Great for new-comers, less intimidating than a mass start.  Orderly and as calm as a race start can be.  Accurate time - your time doesn't start until you cross the timing mat.  Also, reduces the chance of being swamped by other swimmers.  Should mean you don't experience the dreaded "washing machine effect".

The Cons:  You can spend quite a long time in the queue waiting to start your race which kind of loses some atmosphere, and it can be almost "too calm".  I've experienced a Lack of adrenalin rush with these starts, so when I started swimming I haven't really started in an adrenaline-rushed "race" mode, and then I have needed to get my head in gear part way through the swim.

Personally, I think I prefer mass swim starts as I quite like the adrenalin rush of mass starts, but the rolling start is also ok.  I think Ironman are keen to introduce rolling starts for all their races for safety reasons, and to encourage newbies to the races. 

[Deleted User]

Awesome!  Thank you for the analysis.  This helps a lot.  I was thinking that I'll seed myself in the group that will be one level faster than the actual time I think I'll complete the swim.  This should give me enough open water between groups and not have to swim over anybody as well.