No Third Umpire Please.

Yeah Bill,

I'm with you. I don't reckon we need the immediate intervention of a third umpire in ocean swimming.

I don't often applaud the mistakes of others but I do derive a modest degree of satisfaction to see faster swimmers than me heading of on a wild goose chase, and then meeting up with them at the next mark knowing that they've just spent a lot more energy getting there than I did. I suppose the only concern is that the clubbies have to keep such wayward swimmers away from the rocks and beach break (if there is one on the day), or indeed New Zealand, and it would be a lot harder to manage them if they were spreadout all over the place like Brown's cows.

However I reckon you are right in that half the job of ocean swimming is being able to hold a good course in the rough and tumble of the field and the sea, and indeed turn the latter to your advantage wherever possible by such means as tracking for swell or foxing for a wave. And for those who like me are a little optically challenged (and I don't mean just plain ugly), I can thoroughly recommend investing in a pair of those you beaut View goggles with the prescription lenses. They've made a massive improvement in my seeing the bouys and landfall alike.

I hope I haven't given away too many tricks. I suppose if you know what I'm talking about then you're probably doing it already, and if you don't, then don't worry yourself with such weighty matters.

Happy navigating,

Davo.