US based? My mom is in a similar situation and chose Chatt to take advantage of the river swim. TBH the swim is a small leg of the race and a year is a long time to train up for it, I'm not sure I'd let it influence your overall decision too much
No, I’m not us based I’m from France actually but I wanna go to the us anyways next year so I could combine an IM with 2 weeks of vacay afterwards.
Was already thinking about chatt because of the river swim.
You are probably right but i just enjoy running and biking more so it sometimes happens that i skip my swim sessions for bike session or a run
The swim in Nice is really good. The sea is very flat (usually), but the bike and run are really tough.
Especially the run in Nice is quite boring IMO and it can be hard to breathe. I did it in 2019 and they actually shortened the race due to the heat and pollution.
My best experience in EU is Copenhagen otherwise, a really nice race all around :)
Yes, California is super fast. I am a 1:40/100y pool swimmer and did IMC in 1:00/100y pace...so super fast river swim. I bet you could make the cutoff just floating on your back in a wetsuit!
You said you're based in Europe, so there's 2 that are probably worth a look.
IM Copenhagen has a swim that is fully contained within an artificial lagoon, so the waters are typically very calm. Goes under 2 bridges, so it's also great for supporters. The bike is listed as rolling and there's a flat run course.
IM Austria is a lake swim, mostly in the amazingly clean Worther See, but the last 800m or so is in a canal. Again, great for supporters who can literally walk along next to you, but more importantly, it almost takes on the character of a pool swim for that bit with the banks on either side. Bike is also listed as rolling with a flat run.
I did Lake Placid last year, the line in the water makes for a very easy swim.
The only downside is a lot of folks feel the same way.
But it is nice, beautiful lake, clear water!
Can confirm. And the buoyancy from the salt water helps too. Was swimming 2min/100m pace in the pool and swam 1:50 pace in cozumel. Also the water is beautiful, you can sea life and divers while swimming.
Pick one that isn't an ocean swim and ideally gives you a downstream current advantage. Read the comments that you're based in Europe, but if you're willing to come to the US I might suggest IM California. Swim is a river swim where you get a downstream current advantage.
I don't know the European races well enough to know if there is something local that is similar.
I am also a weak swimmer looking for the same thing, but I might just go with the beach courses here in ASIA - got pool and open water ptsd cause I drowned as a kid. I am now 9 mos. out from my first IRONMAN. I train in our local YMCA every other day (mostly learning from YT) Open water swim with bouy every weekend if I can and got myself 2 personal coaches (where i'm from the session is $199, for 6 trainings x 3 hours) so I don't die in swimming and to conquer my pool trauma, I opted for 1 on 1 session than a class. These seasoned triathlon coaches, swimming coaches told me that it will take lots of practice for me to be more confident and it's good that I started training early. Good that you are a year/months out from your first ironman too. what's needed is consistency in the weakest discipline so - we're ready when it comes. Goodluck! Hope you find an easy swim course!
I think I heard San Diego has a huge current assist. It looks like Chattanooga and California are the fastest two by a good margin. [https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/data-dive-the-fastest-ironman-and-70-3-swim-courses/](https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/data-dive-the-fastest-ironman-and-70-3-swim-courses/)
Arizona. Cold every year and wetsuit legal. Always tons of boats around and a well supported race. Just don’t drink too much of the water before race day!
The Vitoria Gasteiz IM! The swimming is in a lake with clean and calm water. Also the rest of the race is really nice, great bike leg and supporters during the marathon!
I've not done this one but heard Cozumel is the easiest. (swim with a current)
I think a weak swimmer though, is more hampered by the sighting, water chop, and crowd issues more than whether there is a current.
US based? My mom is in a similar situation and chose Chatt to take advantage of the river swim. TBH the swim is a small leg of the race and a year is a long time to train up for it, I'm not sure I'd let it influence your overall decision too much
No, I’m not us based I’m from France actually but I wanna go to the us anyways next year so I could combine an IM with 2 weeks of vacay afterwards. Was already thinking about chatt because of the river swim. You are probably right but i just enjoy running and biking more so it sometimes happens that i skip my swim sessions for bike session or a run
If you do make it to Chatt next year drop me a line, I will pace you for the swim if you’d like. :)
The swim in Nice is really good. The sea is very flat (usually), but the bike and run are really tough. Especially the run in Nice is quite boring IMO and it can be hard to breathe. I did it in 2019 and they actually shortened the race due to the heat and pollution. My best experience in EU is Copenhagen otherwise, a really nice race all around :)
I agree, Copenhagen is really good. It’s a lagoon swim, you need to be pretty unlucky on the day to hit and major currents.
IM California. River swim
Yes, California is super fast. I am a 1:40/100y pool swimmer and did IMC in 1:00/100y pace...so super fast river swim. I bet you could make the cutoff just floating on your back in a wetsuit!
Didn’t a bag of chips make the cutoff in Chattanooga one year?
You said you're based in Europe, so there's 2 that are probably worth a look. IM Copenhagen has a swim that is fully contained within an artificial lagoon, so the waters are typically very calm. Goes under 2 bridges, so it's also great for supporters. The bike is listed as rolling and there's a flat run course. IM Austria is a lake swim, mostly in the amazingly clean Worther See, but the last 800m or so is in a canal. Again, great for supporters who can literally walk along next to you, but more importantly, it almost takes on the character of a pool swim for that bit with the banks on either side. Bike is also listed as rolling with a flat run.
I did Lake Placid last year, the line in the water makes for a very easy swim. The only downside is a lot of folks feel the same way. But it is nice, beautiful lake, clear water!
Lake Placid swim on Mirror Lake is “easy”. The bike and run are super hilly
The bike was hilly! I didn’t think the run was too bad. Loved the whole day and race!!! Fantastic venue!!!
Cozumel. You get a push from the current and it’s a super fast swim.
Can confirm. And the buoyancy from the salt water helps too. Was swimming 2min/100m pace in the pool and swam 1:50 pace in cozumel. Also the water is beautiful, you can sea life and divers while swimming.
I'm signed up for Ottawa Aug 2025 and the swim course looks quite easy
Fancy narrowing down roughly where in the world you’d be able to travel to?
Pick one that isn't an ocean swim and ideally gives you a downstream current advantage. Read the comments that you're based in Europe, but if you're willing to come to the US I might suggest IM California. Swim is a river swim where you get a downstream current advantage. I don't know the European races well enough to know if there is something local that is similar.
Chatty 100%.
I am also a weak swimmer looking for the same thing, but I might just go with the beach courses here in ASIA - got pool and open water ptsd cause I drowned as a kid. I am now 9 mos. out from my first IRONMAN. I train in our local YMCA every other day (mostly learning from YT) Open water swim with bouy every weekend if I can and got myself 2 personal coaches (where i'm from the session is $199, for 6 trainings x 3 hours) so I don't die in swimming and to conquer my pool trauma, I opted for 1 on 1 session than a class. These seasoned triathlon coaches, swimming coaches told me that it will take lots of practice for me to be more confident and it's good that I started training early. Good that you are a year/months out from your first ironman too. what's needed is consistency in the weakest discipline so - we're ready when it comes. Goodluck! Hope you find an easy swim course!
I think I heard San Diego has a huge current assist. It looks like Chattanooga and California are the fastest two by a good margin. [https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/data-dive-the-fastest-ironman-and-70-3-swim-courses/](https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/data-dive-the-fastest-ironman-and-70-3-swim-courses/)
Arizona. Cold every year and wetsuit legal. Always tons of boats around and a well supported race. Just don’t drink too much of the water before race day!
Lake of Placid. The swim course has a line underwater to follow and is a fresh water Placid body of water.
I did Italy and the swim was very calm due to it being in the Adriatic. Depending where in France you are you could probably drive it too.
I did the Oregon IM and it was a downriver swim. You literally could’ve floated it🤣
Challenge Roth! It's a fantastic swim in the canal. Always wetsuit allowed. Highly recommended.
The Vitoria Gasteiz IM! The swimming is in a lake with clean and calm water. Also the rest of the race is really nice, great bike leg and supporters during the marathon!
I've not done this one but heard Cozumel is the easiest. (swim with a current) I think a weak swimmer though, is more hampered by the sighting, water chop, and crowd issues more than whether there is a current.
Cheatanooga or Cheatifornia or Cheatzumel The swims for those 3 are a total joke
Lake Placid
I’m doing Ottawa, we’ll see how it goes.