EQUIPMENT TESTING

Værløse Swimming Pool

2 x 200 (100m crawl, 50 back, 50 breast)
7 x 50 crawl
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750m (forgot to look at clock)

I tested the new wetsuit that I bought (Aqualung Quantum Stretch Shorty) to see if I'll be wearing for the "Round Christiansborg" swim at the end of August. There is a lot of excess fabric around the shoulders and neck, but it seems like it might work out OK. Quite a bit of water entry while doing flip turns, but that won't be a problem during an open water race.

I was pretty tired before swimming, so I have a hard time judging whether the wetsuit made my swim easier or more difficult. Likewise I wasn't sweating profusely in the wetsuit, so I'm wondering how much of a difference it will make while swimming in colder water.

However no chafing, no binding, so it looks like the wetsuit should work out OK.

KITSILANO BEACH!

Kitsilano Beach and Swimming Pool

approx. 300 m open water crawl
3 x 137 m crawl
137 m breast
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848 meters

Had 2 great swims at Kits Beach! The first was a race around the roped swimming water in the ocean against my Kitsilano-based friend ArkanGL, who narrowly defeated me in our short race. I was honored to have an opponent with similar swimming skills and who was willing to enter the water with the risk of photos of the race being posted on the internet.

In order to honor his victory, I treated him to the entrance fee to the Kitsilano Public Swimming Pool. It is the most awesome pool I have ever swum in. Better than the pool at the top of the hotel we stayed in in Prague, better than the pool in Bagsværd with the great view of the trees behind it. This pool is so fantastically amazing that it merits a trip to Vancouver for the pool alone. Not only is it a mind-blowingly long 137 meter saltwater pool (didn't need the googles I forgot to bring with me), it has an amazing view of the ocean, Vancouver and the mountains behind it.
As I looked down at the pool at 8:30 pm with only two swimmers in it, I wished that I had had my hand stamped, so I could have had an extra go at it. (See photo here: http://twitpic.com/azb5c)

Just one of many reasons to return to Vancouver.

SUNBURNED

Goodman Community Pool, Madison WI

No Program, Just wading and goofing around.

Went swimming with my family and my long lost co-blogger "itsbean" at the Goodman Community Pool. Excellent pool with wading area, 2 water slides, and 2 roped off areas for swimming and diving.

Lots of deck space with deck chairs, good shade, and a concessions area.

Unfortunately "itsbean" missed some spots when she helped me put sun screen on my back, so I've got a few patches that have become sunburned. Ouch.