Castaic Lake in southern California will be the new host for Open Water Nationals, USA Swimming announced today after making the decision last week to move the event away from Wrightsville Beach, the original host.
Wrightsville was nixed after tidal changes caused a safety concern. It would have been one of the first saltwater venues for nationals in several years. Castaic Lake will provide another freshwater event, which will take place June 13 and 15, 2014. The lake is near the town of Castaic, north of Los Angeles.
Castaic Lake hosted this meet last year as well, and faced a splash of drama when a buoy anchor came loose mid-race, prompting a protest of the official results.
Open Water Nationals will serve as a selection meet for a multitude of international competitions and national teams including the following:
- Open Water Pan Pacific Championships Team
- Open Water Junior Pan Pacific Championships Team
- FINA World Junior Open Water Championships Team
- USA Swimming Open Water National Team
- USA Swimming Open Water National Junior Team
Yet still no time standards. Over 100 people work for USA Swimming, and they don’t have time standards for a selection swim that is 6 months away.
Embarrassing.
A google search brought up the following 2014 standards which look official. They seem fast compared to prior non-Olympic years – anyone know if they are accurate?:
http://www.stswim.org/openwater/2014QualStandards.pdf
Canyons Aquatic Club is proud to be able to help USA Swimming, in relocating the open water venue and will do our best to top the success of last year’s event. We are working on hotel and other logistic information and will have it posted to our web site (canyons.org) and USA Swimming within a few days.
As for the wildcards such as Earth, Wind and Fire. We have moved earth to accommodate the event, we cannot control the wind, (but we can double tether our buoys) and as for fire – we have the world’s best fire fighters here in Southern California providing us a safe competition environment. I cannot think of a better open water venue with more… Read more »
Given that it has been on the East Coast 3 out of the previous 5 years I don’t think that is a valid complaint.
I cannot speak for others, but my lack of willingness to go to Castaic Lake again is just that. I don’t mind another West Coast venue, just not the exact same one the athletes swam in twice (10K and 5K) last year.
Castaic Lake was a wonderful venue for OW Nationals last year…except for:
1) The buoys moving all over the place
2) The canyon fire at the end of the 10K which led to a haze of smoke on the course for the next day; and the helicopters removing the top foot of (warm) water from the lake–leaving the 5K in realy cold water–after having practiced in moderate water for four days
3) And the price of entry into the park being $15 cash each day
4) Overhearing a USA Swimming staffer comment that they were not interested in doing apparel for the meet, or providing support to the local team for apparel production or providing any… Read more »
Given that it has been on the East Coast 3 out of the previous 5 years I don’t think that is a valid complaint.
My kids have swum open water events in lakes, the Gulf of Mexico and yes, even in a pool with the lanelines removed and bouys at each corner (at Southern Zones). Salt water swims make it tougher for spectators but I think they still preferred swimming those than in lakes or pools. Having said that, there are only so many trips I can afford and moving the Nationals from North Carolina to California makes it cost-prohibitive, just the same as last year.
i guess this is a big “F-U” to all the folks in north carolina who worked so hard to bring the event to their area. is usa-swimming going to reimburse the area for lost revenue? i am sure someone is thinking of a punitive damages lawsuit which could be filed.
I agree. Our kids swim in turbulent ocean as well as calm and thats what makes it interesting.
Four laps around a lake or in a rowing lagoon can hardly be considered open water…
They might as well just take the lane lines out of a pool and have it there.
A future world champs is going to be on a rowing course. In South Korea saw a Hyundai shipbuilding dry dock which at 200 gft long would hsve been a great course to watch with large stands. In Canada at world Jrs at Welland and it was in old part of canal.