Triathlon - Swimming in Nasty Ocean Water

There's a dozen triathlons a month here in Los Angeles. Some of them are in parts of the coast that I would never swim in.

Such as Long Beach. A quarter mile swim in Long Beach? :eek: GROSSSSSSS! Long beach is absolutely disgusting! Or how about a swim at Dockweiler Beach right by LAX. :eek:

These places are disgusting to swim in, and if there's any rain whatsoever they become a F rating (do not touch the water) immediately because the sewage and storm drains dump in some of these places. Sure it hasn't rain in months, but still.. I find it gross.

I like to swim as far north as possible at least in Malibu or beyond, they are a bit better at least... but the TT registration costs are significantly higher too :( eh... I don't know, am I being too picky? Do you guys avoid TT's in certain bays too?

I feel the same way about the water around here. I will not touch Long Beach with a dead body but if I really felt the need to do a triathlon in placid water, I would do it in the bay. You are better off going to Newport Beach or settling in a swimming pool.

dont complain or HTFU

dont complain or HTFU

If it's unsafe, they wouldn't have the swim. HTFU. You're supposed to be tough doing tri's

If it's unsafe, they wouldn't have the swim. HTFU. You're supposed to be tough doing tri's

i agree great minds think alike dont they

I don't like swimming in feces.

I don't like swimming in feces.

Oh damn, I almost fell to my knees. :lol:Feces? It is much worse than that.

Oh damn, I almost fell to my knees. :lol:Feces? It is much worse than that.

Explain it to the ones who think I should "HTFU"

Explain it to the ones who think I should "HTFU"

They would not swim in that pile so don't worry about them. There is also Cabrillo Beach in the San Pedro area worth trying. I don't think it is any cleaner than but surely is not as stagnant as Long Beach.

If its a USAT sanctioned race they are supposed to test the water... as well any race director worth a salt would do that as well for a non sanctioned event. I've swam in some nasty spots for races and aside from a little sour stomach, Ive never gotten any deadly diseases.

The reason to avoid Long Beach is not the water. You're in far more danger with the very fast two loop bike course with poor bike handlers all over it. Personally I think you are being a bit melodramatic about the water quality in some of these places but do whatever you want.

C'mon Long Beach is nothing compared to Long Island Sound...nothing like catching a "Long Island Whitefish" in your hand as your swimming. Also nothing like swimming at low tide when the great toilet flushes. Just remember, whatever don't kill you only makes you stronger.

I have had the swim part of a tri cancelled because of recent rain (in San Diego Mission Bay). We ran around the parking lot before the bike part. If it's USAT, they'll be on top of stuff like that.

Ok, question, if you are in the water in Long Beach and someone throws a bucket of snot at you, do you duck?

This discussion reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer takes up swimming in the East River. A father with his little kid is on shore, looking through one of those pay-binoculars. The kid goes, "Daddy, there's a man in the water!" The father, without looking, says, "Don't worry son, it's just a body."

My daughter recently moved to the San Diego area, and a local tri club has a regular open-swim practice in/around La Jolla Cove. You get to swim with sea lions swimming around you.

I don't like swimming in feces.

I think pretty much everyone is with you on that, but it could be worse. (http://www.chinasmack.com/2010/pictures/filthy-india-photos-chinese-netizen-reactions.html)