Still, I scoured Florid for races and found this at this time frame. Actually I think there is also a huge swim arounf Key West at the same time near Fort Lauderdale but I wasn't ready for that and so didn't even try to push that on to the calendar.
It only has good reviews, it's early and the best of it all? The RD is a wisea$$. You know I love that right? Who wants boring RD's? Not me.
Here's a link to his website (and a local version too), a link to a wikipedia page (and a local version too) and lastly his FAQ page (and a local version of course too). I LOVE his FAQ page!!!
So I subscribed to his blog and a week before our trip, I get a very angry blog post from Lucky about a swimmer who is now banned for life. You see, this swim is free, (YES FREE!) and I think it's free because it's unsanctioned thing like a Fat Ass run and therefore no insurance etc and he would like to keep it that way. Therefore he demands that your first 3 crossing, even if you are Michael Phelps, be with some sort of safety buoy. This is just to confirm that you can do it. The swimmer in question was told about this and chose to ignore it. Nice. Sucks to be him.
So I went to Kiefer's website and bought us 2 buoys. When we actually got to race site, I found out we could have borrowed one but no matter. I need something like this for a race I would like to do one day and it's really worth it for Open Water Swimming when you are just training. It really makes you visible, doesn't interfere in your swimming and doesn't help you in anyway at all. So why not use one? Actually, I bought one for Adele too. If she's gonna go to Coney Island to swim in the Ocean, she can use one. It's the same concept as having reflectors on when you run or bike. Visibility is safety etc.
I told Elizabeth about this swim and she just couldn't believe me that it's free. Had to show her. It's really like a century ride or something. There's no clock, no timing chip. So why do it? Gave us some sort of a workout in Florida and it's a pretty cool event and I like to do things like that.
It's only a Kilometer (out and back). There are 3 buoys that you follow to the other side of the Lake. Once there, you beach yourself at his friends house, who does the swim at times as well, then you head back. Awesome, right?
Lucky himself is an MD (I think a Dermatologist) who opens his house every day early for swimmers to come. During the weekdays, there is a small group. On the weekend, a larger group. His swim has now reached a cult statis of sorts. Read the Wikipedia page...
In any case, I printed out the address and the one time waiver, packed the buoys and that's it.
Thursday was the day we chose. It fit our schedule. Unfortunatly, there was a chance of a storm for that day so I was a little worried. I was going to do it no matter what but I didn't want Jeremy to think that he "had" to do it. In any case, the storm held off and we woke up early for this. I asked Lee to come with us to watch our stuff and in any case I thought she would want to be there to see Jeremy swim. It meant an extra early day but she's a trooper and didn't complain.
We drove there and the GPS showed the end result at a closed gate and I wasn't sure what to do. I drove past it but then noticed someone else stopping at the gate and the gate opening. Cool. I wasn't sure that this was it but decided what the hell.
I stopped in front of the gate and it automatically opened up. There were a few dogs walking around and I was worried about them but my worries were unfounded. They were smart enough to stay away from the cars and were very friendly even tho one of them was big and I was initially worried.
I wasn't 100% sure where to go but someone told us that he would help us out. He took us and made sure our waivers were set. He then explained the course to us and what we should use as things to sight off. If you look at the pictures, you will see how dark it was initially. There were 3 buoys and I could see the first and barely make out the second. I knew that Jeremy with his eyesight wouldn't be able to see the buoys but he knew the general direction and he could follow the swimmers. The water wasn't cold once you started and let's face it...When we finished the water felt great.
Lucky who was stretching earlier and very focused, suddenly appeared, gave a sign with his hand and we all took off. That was it. No cannon, bell or yell. Very lowkey. I swam in what I thought was a straight line. I know how to sight and there's no current in a lake to worry about, right? Wrong! The wind was a factor and I found myself off the straight line. I was worried about Jeremy but this is something that he will have to figure out for himself.
Got to the other side and there was a guy who had just gotten there himself. I confirmed that we just turn back and he said yup and I was off. I was worried a little about the buoy as well but it really wasn't an issue. What amazed me was how bright it got. Started in almost complete darkness and now it's light out.
I caught up to a guy in front of me and we challenged each other (ok - we raced each other). Beat him. Ok - it wasn't a race but still.
Waited with Elizabeth for Jeremy. Smart kid... He started swimming and realized there was an older woman next to him and instead of trying to sight, he just stayed with her. It wasn't his speed but he chose to stay with her anyway. We spoke to her earlier and today was going to be crossings number 201 and 202. It's a big deal!
We finished and our guide took us to say hello to Lucky, get our swag (Swim Cap, Patch, Bumper Sticker and Swim Log) and sign the wall. We passed the duck who apparently was not in a good mood so was left in his area. I am not making this up. In the house was a full length pool, a real cool hot tub and the wall. We both signed the ceiling and then started making our way out. That's when we really noticed the size of the property. Lee took pictures but they just don't do it justice.
