it is fun as long as you do all you can to prepare for it

The Port Dickson triathlon race 2007 was marred by a very sad incident. It was reported that there was a 55 year-old cyclist from KL who drowned during the race on Sunday 22nd july. It is just one accident too many. The sea was calm and it was just before the rain. He was at the last wave of the start where there will be no one swimming over him if he has started from the end of the pack.

I saying this especially from the position as a coach; in the sea when you render unconscious, the chances of survive is 1:1, on land your chances go up to 100:1. you need to and have to do all you can to prepare you to swim in the sea. The confidence to be splashing around with 500 other anxious athletes pumped full of anxious energy at the start, the ability not to panic when the sea is choppy and after a few mouthful of sea water and technical ability to swim straight and read the waves. In the bike leg, the most that could have happened to you is to accident, and the run leg, dehydration.

I would like for everyone who wants to swim in open sea for whatever reasons, to do all that they can before they do it in race or alone.

You can be gung-ho for bike leg, at most you get into situations and come out with some scrapes and bruises. worse case hit by vehicle.

Or run with some leg injury and long term damage to your body.

But swim, it is matter of minutes when you drink too much and started to struggle and sink. when you start to sink and stop breathing, you could be unconscious and all maybe over.

Triathlon is very safe and fun, like diving, you just need to be prepared and trained for it.

please take lessons, swim in pairs or groups, have an experienced coach or mentor to work with you. if there is any money or time you should invest into triathlon, it is safety and comfort.

see you at the next race!