Utah Open Water Swim Group

After talking to several people at various open water and triathlon clinics that I have been to, it seems that there are a good number of people who are interested in getting together for open water training/practice swims this summer. If you or someone you know is interested, leave a comment here or send me an email at joshuakgreen@gmail.com. Let me know in your email or comment if there are days or times that work best for you and whether or not you have a preference on where to swim. Beginners to experts are welcome. Also, if you know of a group that is already doing regular open water swims, please send me an email with the group information and schedule so that I can post it here.

Swim Las Vegas

I was recently introduced to our neighbors down south: Swim Las Vegas. Swim Las Vegas is Nevada's only open water and triathlon specific US Masters team. They are led by Paul Fritz, Kara Robertson and Jackie Arcana, all of whom have extensive swimming and coaching experience.

The team is well organized and offers services including private lessons, group training plans, underwater videotaping, stroke clinics and workout swims.

Their mission is as follows:

Swim Las Vegas is dedicated to providing innovative, professional level open water and pool swim coaching to endurance, triathlon and Masters swimmers. Our uniquely structured, focused programs are tailored to meet each individual swimmer’s goals, while fostering camaraderie, a team atmosphere, and a supportive environment for competition, fitness and confidence.

Swim Las Vegas is guided by the fundamental principles of ASCA and run by individuals who believe whole heartedly in the pursuit of excellence in the water, comprehensive “hands on” swimming instruction, and improving people’s lives through sport and fitness.

Swim Las Vegas also puts out an excellent monthly newsletter filled with tips and advice. Visit their website here to get access to past issues. The June issue features a two page article about our own Deer Creek Open Water Marathon Swim.

Also, be sure to check back for details about an open water swim at Lake Mead this October...

Wetsuit Rentals at Wasatch Running Center

I recently became aware of the wetsuit rental program at Wasatch Running Center in Sandy. They have some of the best rates I have seen, with daily rentals at $10 and weekend rentals at $30. Weekend rentals can be picked up on Thursday and returned on Monday. The rental fleet consists of Zoot Z2 sleeveless and full sleeve wetsuits. You can also get 15% off the purchase of a new wetsuit at MSRP if you purchase it within 30 days of your rental. If you are looking to purchase a used wetsuit, Wasatch Running Center has some of the past rental fleet for sale. The staff has always been extremely friendly and helpful whenever I have been in the store or called them on the phone.
Wasatch Running Center
8946 South State Street
Sandy, UT 84070
(801) 566-8786

Stansbury Lake Open Water Clinic

I attended the open water swim clinic at Stansbury Lake on Saturday and had a great time. The clinic was sponsored by the University of Utah's PEAK Academy and US Trisports. Shannon Mulder was a very entertaining and insightful instructor and gave us all valuable tips and experience.

To start out, we spent some time on the shore talking about everything from nutrition to how to choose a pair of goggles and how to put on your wetsuit and swim cap.

Once we were in the water we simulated a race start and talked about positioning and start strategy. We practiced sighting and linear swimming, getting past swimmers who are in your way, drafting and turns. Shannon helped put to ease a lot of the worries that face first time open water swimmers by letting them experience what it will be like on race day.

All in all it was a great clinic that I highly recommend to open water swimmers and triathletes. The clinic is geared towards beginners, but there are tips and ideas for all levels of swimmers. The clinic is a bargain at only $20 for over an hours worth of instruction and practice.

The PEAK Academy at the University of Utah has several other open water clinics this summer including another clinic at Stansbury Lake on Tuesday May 19th. Please visit their website for more information.

Stansbury Lake is a great venue for open water swimming and I am looking forward to the Stansbury Tri next weekend. Water conditions were calm with good visibility and moderate temperatures. I didn't bring a thermometer, but I would guess the temperature was in the mid 60's.

I would love to see a swimming race at Stansbury Lake. The lake itself is oval shaped with homes on an island in the middle. It would be an exciting race to start at the boat dock and swim around the island to the road and back. I swam down one side and back and it was just under 2 miles. I would guess that to swim around to the road and back would would be about 3 miles.

Here is a GPS map of my swim using the method outlined in this post.

Taking Notice of the Deer Creek Open Water Marathon Swim

The international open water swimming blog 10K Swimmer has taken notice of Utah's own Deer Creek Open Water Marathon Swim and has a little write up about it on their site.

Click here to read the post and watch a short video report about the race.


I participated in the race last year and had a great time and am looking forward to this year's swim. Whether you are a swimmer and are looking for a new challenge or a triathlete looking to get some open water experience, don't miss out on Utah's only open water marathon swim. With distances ranging from 1 mile to 10 miles, there is something for all ability levels.

Photo from the Deer Creek Open Water Marathon Swim website.

University of Utah PEAK Academy Open Water Swim Clinics

The University of Utah's PEAK Academy has a total of 17 open water swim clinics this year. The clinics run from May to October and include swims in Stansbury Lake, East Canyon Reservoir, Spanish Fork and Jordanelle Reservoir. The clinics are reasonable priced at $15 for University of Utah students and $20 for non-students.

The clinics are 100 minutes long and include dry land instruction as well as time in the water. Discussion may include: wetsuit, entrance/exit, race strategy, technique, turns and more. They recommend that you bring your own nutrition and towels as well as a pair of flip flops or other shoes.

You will be required to print and sign a "waiver" form and bring it with you to the clinic. Wetsuits are required and can be rented from Wasatch Running Center for $15 per day. Swim caps are also recommended to help keep you warm. Transportation is not provided.

Here is a list of the upcoming clinics:

Date	Time	Day	Location
5/16/2009	10:00 AM to 11:40 AM	Saturday	Stansbury Park Lake
5/20/2009	5:30 PM to 7:10 PM	Wednesday	Stansbury Park Lake
5/30/2009	10:00 AM to 11:40 AM	Saturday	East Canyon Reservoir
6/6/2009	9:30 AM to 11:10 AM	Saturday	East Canyon Reservoir
6/10/2009	5:30 PM to 7:10 PM	Wednesday	Spanish Fork
6/13/2009	9:30 AM to 11:10 AM	Saturday	Jordanelle Reservoir
6/20/2009	9:30 AM to 11:10 AM	Saturday	Jordanelle Reservoir
7/1/2009	5:30 PM to 7:10 PM	Wednesday	East Canyon Reservoir
7/8/2009	5:30 PM to 7:10 PM	Wednesday	Spanish Fork
7/15/2009	5:30 PM to 7:10 PM	Wednesday	East Canyon Reservoir
7/22/2009	5:30 PM to 7:10 PM	Wednesday	Spanish Fork
7/29/2009	5:30 PM to 7:10 PM	Wednesday	East Canyon Reservoir
9/23/2009	9:30 AM to 11:10 AM	Saturday	East Canyon Reservoir
10/3/2009	9:30 AM to 11:10 AM	Saturday	East Canyon Reservoir
10/7/2009	5:30 PM to 7:10 PM	Saturday	East Canyon Reservoir
10/10/2009	9:30 AM to 11:10 AM	Saturday	Spanish Fork
10/14/2009	5:30 PM to 7:10 PM	Wednesday	Spanish Fork

Contact Shannon Mulder at Shannon.mulder@utah.edu or visit the PEAK Academy website for more information.

May 2009 Open Water Events in Utah

It's finally May and the weather and water are beginning to warm up in Utah. In case you missed the 2009 Open Water Calendar post, here is a list of open water events for May:

Date	Race	City	Venue	Distance	Website
Saturday May 9	SGTri	St. George	Sand Hollow Reservoir	750 / 1500	www.bbsctri.com
Saturday May 23	Stansbury Tri	Tooele	Stansbury Park Lake	750 / 1500	www.ustrisports.com
Saturday May 30	Salem Spring Tri	Salem	Salem Lake	800 yards	www.racetri.com

I have raced the SGTri a couple times and love the swim venue at Sand Hollow Reservoir. This year is the first year for the Stansbury Tri and I am looking forward to swimming in Stansbury Lake for the first time. I have been meaning to register for the Salem Spring Tri for the last couple years, but something has always come up. Anyone familiar with this venue?

I will do my best to post the overall results as well as the swim results for each race when they become available.