Crosby Lakeside Aquathlon

Just signed up for my first ever aquathlon! 750m open water swim followed by a 5K flat terrain run. Never done a swimming race before. Really looking forward to it.

Any tips from anyone?

Get a wetsuit and a decent pair of goggles and definitely try to swim in some open water (somewhere safe though) before the big day. Exciting though!

I had a look on amazon, wetsuits are actually pretty reasonably priced. But the club organising the event gives the option to hire one so I was going to do that to see if I enjoy it before buying my own. It's a good point that you make though, it might be worthwhile hiring one for a bit of practice.

How different is openwater swimming? (we'll be in a marina)

Hi there- the world of open water swimming is a fabulous one! It's very different to a pool though even in a marina, and the start of a race can feel like swimming in a washing machine with other people around you!  I would recommend practising first. What area do you live in? I can maybe suggest a few places to practice, but otherwise check whether the marina itself does OW sessions, go through a local triathhon club as you can try out sessions before you join or look on the open water swimming association for places to practice. You will, I hope, love it- I hardly swim in winter and the lakes have just opened near me so am off this weekend and very excited! If you decide to buy a wetsuit look on triathlon store websites as you can usually get ex-demo or ex-hire models really cheap, but just go try one on for size first- the shops usually have a trained fitter. Also look on 220 triathlon or the Tri section of runners world for OW swimming tips

Thanks evilfred! That's very helpful.

I live in Widnes (not much OW swimming around here unless one fancies a refreshing dip in the Mersey just down from the glue factory . . . )

But I work in Liverpool. The club that is organising this event meet and swim at the Albert Dock but I'm not sure if I really fancy that. I hear there are eels in there . . . 

What's the swimming scene like at the lakes? I imagine it's pretty incredible.

Hi helloworld- think I confused you, I live in Nottinghamshire but do hail from Lancashire originally- I just meant the lakes you can use are now open!  Although if you can get up to the lakes one weekend there is loads of great swimming there- I would always take someone with you though. Mersey Tri club website says they train at the race venue on Saturdays and Monday- are you able to go to these? Getting a couple of training sessions at the race venue would be great for practice and confidence.  If you could only train in the docks I maybe would as it can't be that bad otherwise they wouldn't get insured for swimming in it. Have a look at Liverpool open water swimming association site as well. Are there any places near you where they do jet ski/water sports? Some of these also have OW sessions as a way of making a bit of extra cash

Ah I'm with you now . . .

There is a place that does watersports not far from me; I never thought about asking them, that's a great idea. Yeah I'm sure I can make it to one of the sessions at the venue, I think I might take your advice on that.

Ordered a swimcap off of amazon today! Made me feel very commited . . .

There probably are eels in there -but I think I'd be more scared of the jelly fish! That's one thing that puts me off walking by the docks, let alone swimming in them!

Seriously?? Jellyfish?

REALLY?!! How bizarre!

good luck with your race!

Thanks! Looking forward to it.

As an aside, I got an email from the organisers saying that they're running practice sessions on Monday evenings so I'm gonna check one of them out.

BUT . . . it seems all of my mates have deserted me! All of them have conveniently come up with excuses not to do it. Looks like it's gonna be a lonely swim!

Don't worry there'll probably be loads of people there alone.  I started doing triathlons and OW on my own before I hooked up with my training partners and have found both sports really, really friendly- have fun!

You8 might find it easier to focus on your own, I do

Good point Cesca; I won't be looking around to see where my buddies are!

Going for a practice swim on Monday next week. Looking forward to it.

No way, I don't think you could pay me to swim in the Albert Dock! Doesn't look particularly nice in there!

It would depend how much . . .