Here we are just before the first swimmers began the race. You can see them queuing up at the top of the boat ramp in the background.
The lifeguards paddled in kayaks close to the swimmers. When the swimmers got into trouble a kayak would run to their aid. If the swimmers needed more help, the lifeguards would signal the safety boats, and we would move in to help. The rules of this triathlon allowed swimmers to get assistance with no penalties. They could hold onto a boat or flotation device for as long as necessary as long as they didn't make "forward progress through the swim course".
We helped two swimmers in trouble. Both of them were in the sprint distance division; apparently (as we were told in our pre-race briefing) many people choose to compete in the half-length sprint distance for their first triathlon. One of the swimmers named Matt (he told us as he sat on the swim ladder on the back of Dad's boat) was having trouble breathing in his wet suit (it was a size too small... or he was a size too big), the other guy had a problem with his leg (but I think he just was having a panic attack). Both swimmers got a little break and then kept going although Matt didn't make it much further and ended up being picked up by the next safety boat. Most importantly, nobody drowned on our watch!
One of the great things about sitting around watching other people struggle is that you get to talk about your own struggles through life. Dad and I talked about many things today. One of our favorite memories together was climing the Grand Teton... and although I don't have a photo of us on top.... OF COURSE Kristie does... so here that is... in my photo there were four of us: Dad, Kelly, Jayson and (a VERY green) me (altitude sickness... BLECH!)
It was a beautiful morning on the water, and it was a lot of fun to watch the swimmers up close and personal. Most importantly, it was GREAT to spend time with my Dad. He's such an amazing guy (I love you Dad!) And, look David and Matthew... WE GOT OUR SHIRTS! (Click on "WE GOT OUR SHIRTS" to see the link to David's site).
I've decided that getting a shirt from volunteering is more fun but not quite as rewarding as from doing the race.
It's GREAT to spend time with you Dad... thanks for making life FUN!
6 comments:
What a great thing to do! I'm glad you guys had a good time together. More impressive is that you helped people out who were in trouble.
Oops! Dan caught me as I was editing this post... What a good blogger you are Dan! You probably missed the whole grand part.
It really was a lot of fun.
Pretty cool shirts! That was nice of you all to go out and help!
I did miss the grand part! I didn't realize that I missed it and thought "how did I pass over that part the first time" Now I know I'm not crazy!
Charlie and I did enjoy being together yesterday morning. We had a lot of time to visit about a number of things that is going on in our lives and we both were very happy and relieved that no one sunk on our watch(we were assigned the leg where swimmers were most likely to have trouble) . In regard to the race, I was a bit surprised to see how well and how poorly some of the swimmers swam. The lead swimmer in the "Elite" group went two times around the swim course in less than 20 minutes. While others, in the sprint group, were on their backs resting 100' from the starting line and eventually finished their swim (they only had to go 1X's around the course) in over an hours time! The poor swimmers were fortunate to be wearing buoyant wet suits or they would have needed saving with in a few feet of the start line. Jordanelle Lake, where the race was held, is a beautiful place and it was very peaceful during the swim but not long after the race finished, it became very rough as hundreds of boats showed up to churn the water.
Charlie it’s nice of you to post the “Grand” summit picture of Kristi and me. Like many first time Tri-Athletes, who question their ability to compete …, I truly wondered if I had the will and endurance to reach that summit but by putting one foot in front of the other we all got there. I’m looking for my picture of you, Kelly, Jayson and me and when I find it I’ll post it.
Thanks for getting me involved and dbl thanks for walking a long way to collect our T-Shirts. Mine, as you can see in the picture, is a bit small so I plan to gift it to Kristi because I’m sure she’ll enjoy it too.
Love you,
Dad
That is fun to help in a race. Shelby and I did it once by accident. We were just out watching a half Ironman I guess someone did not show up so we where pressed into service. The grand was one of the highlights of my life also. I have the Ansell Adams photo of the grand in my office and often find myself telling someone about climbing it. You are correct Charlie you have to get the shirt. It lets you relive the race often. Dad you should join us in the Spud next year!
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