How to Swim the Marin County Triathlon Course!
By Coach Neil

If you plan on swimming at McNears Beach on your own before the race, and go more than 50 yards off shore, the most important part of this swim is knowing the tides. The MCT swim start is set to begin on an incoming tide. This means the water will travel from the ocean into the bay. So if you are standing at the swim start (south of pier), face the bay. The water will be moving right to left. The swim goes in a counter- clockwise direction. The farther from shore you get, the stronger the current will be.

Swim TIP#1: At the start, aim 20-50 yards to the right of the first turn marker. This will allow for the current drifting you over.

The swim starts from a small beach to the south of the park pier off the overflow parking area. Be cautious if you are swimming on your own. The tides can move debris around; I recommend swim socks or bootees. On Race Day there will be carpeting laid down to get you away from shore. The swim start will be a water start. You will head into the bay to the first marker. Currents close to shore move slower, however, slower swimmers should aim to the right of the marker to allow for drifting with the tides. If you find yourself getting pushed towards the pier do not worry, the water is deep enough to swim right under and come out the other side. Do not grab onto the pier and try to hold on since there are barnacles on the pilings. Try to make your first left turn slightly to the right of this first marker. This will allow you time to turn and sight towards the next markers. Stay close to the buoy line. The farther out you get, the faster the current.

Swim TIP#2: Sight often! Sighting efficiently is not easy. You should practice every chance you get. This can be done in a pool as well. Sight every 3-5 stokes until you know you are swimming in a straight line. Do not trust that the person beside you is going in the right direction. Swimming 5 yards off course means 5 yards back to get on course again. This can happen a dozen times during a mile swim. I don’t know of anyone who wants to swim an extra 120 yards during a race?!

Stronger swimmers may want to take advantage of this faster water. Your focus now is to reach the final marker. Sight often to track your progress. Try to be within 10 yards when you make this next left. At this point the current is moving very quickly. Turn and head directly towards shore for 50-100 yards. This will get you out of the current and into the slower moving water of the protected cove. If you turn and head directly to the swim exit you will be fighting the current. Stronger swimmers can turn sooner. If you find you’re swimming past this last left turn marker and going off course, do not worry. Keep heading directly towards shore and the large beach. There is plenty of room to overshoot this marker. You will just have some extra yards to swim. It is very important to sight on the tree line and not just the swim course markers. Keeping a higher sight line will help you judge your progress in the water.

Swim TIP#3: Touch the bottom 3-times in a row before you stand up and run out of water, it takes less energy to move through knee deep water than chest deep and you will go faster.

Swim exit is directly in front of the transition area. You will only have a few yards to go before you enter transition. Small wading pools will be filled with water for you to go step in to get sand off your feet.

Swim TIP#4: Keep your swim cap and goggles on your heads, this keeps your hands free to take off your wetsuit.

Neil Fraser
Tri More Fitness- Owner/Head Coach
Questions- askthecoach@trimorefitness.com