2017 Caledon Quarry... the first one
The line between too much and not enough is often a thin one. When it comes to hosting an event you want to make sure you get the formula right. How do you do that? Trial and error I suppose. Too much / not enough is a theme throughout this post.
Caledon Quarry.
This is actually a great place for a swim. Because it is an old quarry it gets warm faster than say.... Lake Ontario. For the last few seasons I have come here for events hosted by Barrie Shepley and his gang. The race(s) held here are a part of the GSS so they are definitely on my list. How they decided on hosting two races here per season I may never know.... but it seems like a working model for this location. I'm not sure it would work in many other places.
Last year I actually did not make it to this venue. The June version and the September version both fell on conflicting dates. I suspect that I was not the only one in that position as this year both swims are on (GASP!) a Wednesday night. For some people that doesn't work, for others it is gravy. I had to get out of work a couple hours early to make it a go but it wasn't an issue. Some people will only make the first, some only the second. With word of mouth it is quite possible the second will be bigger. Time will tell.
True of every body around right now is that the water level is high. Here you can see too much water. It has crept up on much of the new sand that was put down to improve the experience. So - the quarry is bigger and the beach is smaller. If nothing else the entry is nicer than I remember (no stones).
I don't remember the final count but I believe Miguel told me that the gamble of moving the swim to a Wednesday night paid off. The attendance was good.
Friends came from far and wide to swim. Some from Niagara area (even the US), some from Ottawa.... and really everywhere in between.
5 distances were offered. 10km, 4km, 2km, 1km, and 400 meters. I chose the 4km option. My 10kms are coming soon enough. Maybe more. One of my teammates swam in the 10km for the 1st time ever. Great spot to do that!
The swim conditions were great. The sun wasn't cooking you as you swam, the water was clean and cool, but not cold, and there was no wind. All wonderful things. Unfortunately I did not prepare myself in the same manner. I had too much poutine before swimming which sat like a rock for most of the swim. My time was slow for the course but it was a good learning experience. Stick to POST swim poutine.
It really is a nice spot. Its tucked down away from the highway. So close but yet so far. It is definitely worth returning to in July. Or - for those of you who have never been - a great place to discover.
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Contact info:
F : https://www.facebook.com/swim.diesel
I : https://www.instagram.com/swim.diesel
T : https://twitter.com/SwimDiesel
E : m.j.kenny@swim-diesel.com
+ : google.com/+Swim-diesel
B : 53724F20
Caledon Quarry.
This is actually a great place for a swim. Because it is an old quarry it gets warm faster than say.... Lake Ontario. For the last few seasons I have come here for events hosted by Barrie Shepley and his gang. The race(s) held here are a part of the GSS so they are definitely on my list. How they decided on hosting two races here per season I may never know.... but it seems like a working model for this location. I'm not sure it would work in many other places.
Last year I actually did not make it to this venue. The June version and the September version both fell on conflicting dates. I suspect that I was not the only one in that position as this year both swims are on (GASP!) a Wednesday night. For some people that doesn't work, for others it is gravy. I had to get out of work a couple hours early to make it a go but it wasn't an issue. Some people will only make the first, some only the second. With word of mouth it is quite possible the second will be bigger. Time will tell.
True of every body around right now is that the water level is high. Here you can see too much water. It has crept up on much of the new sand that was put down to improve the experience. So - the quarry is bigger and the beach is smaller. If nothing else the entry is nicer than I remember (no stones).
I don't remember the final count but I believe Miguel told me that the gamble of moving the swim to a Wednesday night paid off. The attendance was good.
Friends came from far and wide to swim. Some from Niagara area (even the US), some from Ottawa.... and really everywhere in between.
5 distances were offered. 10km, 4km, 2km, 1km, and 400 meters. I chose the 4km option. My 10kms are coming soon enough. Maybe more. One of my teammates swam in the 10km for the 1st time ever. Great spot to do that!
The swim conditions were great. The sun wasn't cooking you as you swam, the water was clean and cool, but not cold, and there was no wind. All wonderful things. Unfortunately I did not prepare myself in the same manner. I had too much poutine before swimming which sat like a rock for most of the swim. My time was slow for the course but it was a good learning experience. Stick to POST swim poutine.
It really is a nice spot. Its tucked down away from the highway. So close but yet so far. It is definitely worth returning to in July. Or - for those of you who have never been - a great place to discover.
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Contact info:
F : https://www.facebook.com/swim.diesel
I : https://www.instagram.com/swim.diesel
T : https://twitter.com/SwimDiesel
E : m.j.kenny@swim-diesel.com
+ : google.com/+Swim-diesel
B : 53724F20