Garmin recently added a Swim mode software update for the Forerunner 310XT. There was a post about it on the Garmin blog, which also included a link to DC Rainmaker's blog.
Not only did DC Rainmaker have an incredibly in-depth review of the new Swim mode, but one of his earlier posts also shows how to swim with the Forerunner 305 in a swim cap!
Why didn't I think of that???
The Raging Isle Sprint is the first race in the 2010 North Shore Swim Series. I decided to try out the Garmin in a swim cap method.
I pretty much followed DC Rainmaker's tips:
- Remove the watch from the watchband
- Put the watch inside a ziploc bag
- Put the watch/ziploc bag on your head and put on your swim cap
I did have to make a few adjustments. The 405 has a bunch of sharp points and buttons and they kept poking holes in the ziploc bag, so I had to cushion all the pointy parts first (the 305 and 310XT are more square and their buttons are on top). Plus it was kinda hard to stuff the watch into my swim cap along with my ponytail. But Brad suggested putting the watch in the swim cap first, then putting the cap on my head. That was much easier.
The Swim
There was a North Shore swell on the day of the Raging Isle Sprint, so the race organizers put out buoys along the whole course to keep swimmers further outside and away from the shallow reef (and out of the way of the surfers).
When they sounded the horn, I pressed the Start button and started swimming. And kept swimming (just keep swimming...). It seemed like it took forever.
Then my watch beeped. At first, I thought I accidentally stopped it. But then I realized it was the 'Auto Lap' feature - I had swum a mile.
Raging Isle is supposed to be a 1-mile swim, but the Garmin recorded 1.2 miles. Surprisingly, the GPS route on the map looks pretty straight (when I'm swimming, I feel like I'm zig-zagging all over the place). And if you zoom in, you can really see the reef underwater.
Race Results can be found here.
Many THANKS to Jake from Garmin for alerting me to the new Swim mode, DC Rainmaker for the How To guide, and Raging Isle and Waikiki Swim Club for putting on a fun swim!
http://connect.garmin.com/player/38292439
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button
Sat, 6/26/10
Start: Sunset Beach
Finish: Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park)
0:52:35 / 1.0 miles / 3:17 per 100m
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