Kona, Open Water Workshop Questions

[westyswoods]

I would like to get feedback from those who attended the recent OWWS in Kona. What was the content? What skill levels should one have to attend? How many attended? Basically any and all information which can help one decide if they want to attend next year. If there is one scheduled for next year.

Feedback from participants as well as coaches would be appreciated.

Thanks Westy

[ewa.swimmer]

I had a great time and recommend it.

We had swimming levels from beginners to advanced. One marathon runner decided he wanted to do a tri and signed up for the lavaman. Six weeks before camp he couldn't swim 25 yds. He swam over a mile. That's progress. I think if you have a positive attitude you can benefit from this workshop no matter where you are.

Here's what we did:
Sun:
Group (25 swimmers) meeting in the hotel. We introduced ourselves and met the coaches. We then went down to "baby beach" and got video taped swimming next to Terry. Afterwards we went back to the meeting room and in groups looked at our stroke and get feedback. (I needed to not lift my arm so much)

Mon:
am – We went to Kailua Pier which was just steps from the hotel. We were broken into groups based on coaches’ observations. You could ask to change groups if you didn’t think your group was a good fit. Our group had focal points to work on (hanging head, quiet legs, extended arms, etc) but mostly did whole stroke work. Other groups did a little more drill.
pm- same as above

Tue:
am – We walked over to the Kona Community Pool and learned how to work with the tempo timer (the beep is my friend). We did sets decreasing and increasing the tempo while counting strokes. We were also timed for 100 yds at the beginning and end. At the end we did another video session. We went back to the hotel lobby and looked at our videos.
pm – back at the pier. We were regrouped according to our morning times. We worked on swimming as a group. Afterwards we had a “talk story” and people brought up their questions.

Wed:
am – Field trip. We went to “Two Step” and went on various lengths of swims. My group headed out of the bay and did a 3 mile swim. Others stayed in the bay. They were joined by a Hawaiian monk seal.
pm – Afternoon off. I went with others to the Hilo side. Some went north to Waimea, some to the volcano, others just went back to Kailua-Kona.

Thurs:
am – Field trip. We went to Kealakekua Bay. Most swam a mile across the bay to Capt. Cook monument. We hung out for a while then swam back. Those not up for the mile swam for 45 min. along the coast line and then turned around and came back.
pm – group work at Kailua Pier
evening - 25 of us went on a chartered boat to have a night snorkel with manta rays. Fantastic!

Fri:
am - We swam ½ the Iron Man course (to the King’s buoy). Most were able to do this but others stayed closer to the beach.
pm – We broke into 3 groups and then rotated by groups between the bay and the hotel pool. The group at the hotel pool worked with Terry. We got individual feedback.
Friday night we met at the Kona Brew Pub for our graduation.

Sat:
am – Some of us went for a swim to do the entire Iron Man swim course.

This just gives the schedule and really doesn’t convey the feelings of support, fun and camaraderie that pervaded the whole experience.