Just wondering if anybody else is considering taking part?
As a 30 year old who runs regularly, I see myself as fairly fit. However, although I used to swim a lot, that has fallen by the wayside a little... so I think it would be nice to have some company to tackle the crossing with!
If you're interested in taking part, please let me know and perhaps we can organise to go together. Any tips/information from people who have previously done the swim would also be most welcome!
I'll also say that it'd be great to meet up with anyone in the Stäfa area that is interested. Having just moved here alone it would be good to get to know some people in the area!
If the weather is decent you will have more than enough company.
Beware of ladies with screw kicks who swim just far enough apart to avoid kicking each other - so that they can chat. Going round is the start of a slalom course as many other couples are doing the same.
Tip from my daughter - no matter what looks you get from othrr swimmers, get towards the front of the mass and get in straight after the active competitive swimmers. You can happily crawl the whole distance and if you overestimated your ability, faster ones will rarely be annoyed as long as are swimming crawl and swimming straight.
P.S. it was a dream!
Haven't done it recently though.
Take a bag you can easily recognise to put your 'last minute' clothes in. After swimming across you'll be glad to find it in the Au without too much trouble.
Agreed with Longbyt; if the weather is ok, you will not be alone
I swim this seetraversierung regularly but never combeting with others. So I am never starting within the first ones. I live in Au and so need to wait to get transported to the other side. There everyone starts then once we get there, group by group.
There are many security boats along the swim so should you have any problem while crossing the lake, you will get help by the safety swimmers observing from the boats.
I find it easiest to swim at my own pace and so I am not seeking for company. Swimming slower than my pace will just cause cramps and swimming faster will not work anyways. I'm a good swimmer but this is not a competition
I didn't compete with other swimmers either, but I liked the idea of swimming the 2.65 km in fewer minutes than I was years old! I also liked the idea of getting across before I got too cold. It is much easier to follow other crawl swimmers and I was not annoying them by doing so, so why not. Of course there are those who might not have liked me going in front of them at the start, but the chance was great that I would stay ahead of them anyway. Of course, I wouldn't mix with the REAL swimmers.
Swimming crawl in murky water, one cannot see the legs of those ahead until the last minute (it is contra-productive to repeatedly lift ones head to see over the water) and it spoils ones swimming rhythm dreadfully to constantly 'go round' breaststroke swimmers to overtake them.
I did it with no preparation a few years ago in about 48 minutes. It was a nice swim, beautiful to be in the middle of the lake, highly recommended. The chicken soup at the end was clutch!
Go for it and enjoy, just watch out for the crowds at the beginning, lots of kicks to the head.
Thanks for the tips and words of encouragement guys - glad to know it's not a completely crazy idea to be attempting this off the back of very little preparation! I will let you know how I get on.
The offer still stands to meet up if anybody else is considering taking part.
I just got your message now - would have joined you, but just came home from holidays. Glad to hear it went well. We also live in Staefa, and would be happy to go for coffee if interest.