Sunday, August 05, 2007

Pier to Pier went off well - Swam a 52:40


Race organizers did a very nice job of receiving 880 people quickly, and respectfully getting us set up to race with numbers, wristbands and all the race info we needed all within an hour's time. Lifeguards were extremely plentiful, a Jetski, a rescue boat, and a flotilla of surfboards with life saving cans and a process. They were also very observant and courteous.

Constructive criticism: sending 880 people into the water all at the same time through a chute that's 25 yards or so wide should really be rethought. The first 600 yards were nothing but shoulder-to-shoulder, head-to-toe, writing bodies; (but not is a fun way), scrambling to find some clean water to swim in. Also, timing was done the old fashion way with volunteers using clipboards and pencils. If officials or lifeguards are reading this, I will pay $15 more to wear a RFID chip that denoted my exact time after running through a radio zone at the end of the race rather than relying on possible human error. A chip also could give a complete running record of missing swimmers as well.

I was swimming in between bodies for like 1o minutes till I was well past the pier. One fellow cut across my path swimming in the wrong direction and clobbered me in the face like a boxer' delivering a strong left jab and it hurt. For a second or two I wanted to retaliate. I was going to grab his suit and pull it between his knees but there is that little thing called a conscience so I gathered my "marbles" in time and moved on.

Oh, I placed 280th, I broke an hour in a time of 52.40, I saw Bill K. other SCAQ Swimmers, Paige, Anne, and others which was very pleasant and Anthony eat me by four minutes. There is always Alcatraz though.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great finish!

Anonymous said...

Busy weekend with Pier to Pier and Santa Cruz 1 and 2 milers.

Congrats on a great time!

http://justaddwater.typepad.com/just_add_water/2007/08/santa-cruz-mast.html

Charlie said...

Hey. I am a SCAQ swimmer too - I swim at SMC. Fairly new. Have to agree with you on the start. I also got punched and kicked quite a lot too. Came in at 49:32 - well that is what I had it timed as. Bring on the RFIDs I say.

Tony Austin said...

That is a very impressive time! I should post a email link of the Dwight Crum Race Officials so if can get instituted. I am confident my placing is accurate but i bet my time won't be.

Charlie said...

Official results are up!

Tony Austin said...

Where?!

Anonymous said...

www.surffestival.org