1K Swim Course Description
The
first leg of the Auburn Triathlon
is the 1K swim in Folsom Lake
at Rattlesnake Bar park. Sprint triathletes will complete one loop. World's Toughest Half participants will complete a lap, exit to the cheers of the crowd, then return into the water to complete a second identical lap. This is a counter clockwise route where you head from the boat launch to the far shore, head east (left turn) along that shore, then turn and head back to the boat launch directly across the lake.
You
will be swimming in clean water that
began as snow in the high Sierra and
flowed into the North Fork of the
American River. Rattlesnake Bar is
at a rear extended 'finger' of Folsom
Lake some 20 miles away from the Folsom
Dam and larger Folsom Lake proper.
This
intimate venue has narrow shorelines
surrounded by high canyon walls and
as a result always calm water. You
will be only seconds from a shoreline
at all times and attended to at all
times by a team of kayakers and a
rescue boat in the water. You must
wear your brightly colored swim cap
throughout the swim to assist with
your safety. The
swim will start in the deep water
just beyond the boat launch. You can
also choose a dry land start on the
boat launch, bringing up the rear
of your wave start.
Once
you reach the boat launch ramp, you
will be assisted with your exit and
wetsuit removal. You will then proceed
to the adjacent parking lot to mount
your bike.
While
the swim is the shortest event, it
is often the most difficult for triathletes.
You are expected to have the ability
and conditioning to complete the swim
safely. Please be sure that you are
able to swim 1.2 miles (87 lengths
in a 25-yard pool) in one hour or
less before the event (without floaties).
Wetsuits
are mandatory. No fins, paddles, snorkels,
or flotation devices of any kind are
allowed. Swim goggles or face masks
may be worn. No individual paddlers
or escorts allowed. You will be required
to have race officials mark race number
on both shoulders and thighs. Do not
apply sunscreen or vaseline to areas
where your number will be marked (shoulders
or thighs).
Please
seed yourself at the start according
to predicted swim finish time. If
you are anxious about the swim start,
simply wait 20-30 seconds for the
main pack to proceed along the course
and give you undisturbed water to
swim in. It is a long day, and waiting
a little at the start can help relieve
unnecessary stress, tension and danger
of mixing it up with a pack of hungry
swimmers!
Photo
on this page by Michael Kirby.
