by Colleen Wahlstrom
The Fat Salmon swim resumed for 2024 after being cancelled in 2023 due to water quality issues. The new race organizers, the North End Otters, had a contingency plan in case Madison Park was closed by King County, but luckily it wasn’t necessary. It was a beautiful, calm morning on Lake Washington with nearly 300 swimmers in attendance.
We had a smaller group from TWIM this year consisting of myself, Kathy Pelham, and Ben Hohman. Kathy and I ran into each other at the crowded Madison Park restrooms early in the morning, but didn’t see each other after that. It was nice catching up with Ben during our carpool ride to the start of the race at Day Street Boat Ramp. Wetsuits were not needed since the water temp was a pleasant 74 degrees, and many people changed to the non-wetsuit category making it more competitive.
There were five waves spaced about four minutes apart, with what seemed to be plenty of safety kayakers and SUP support. I tend to stay left closer to the shore during this race and it felt like the we were being pushed further out to the right throughout the course. At one point, they made me swim out of my way around a boat. My new strategy this year was to not look up as frequently for that high rise building, and instead watch the kayaker next to me because I seemed to have my own personal escort for ¾ of the race.
It was nice to finally arrive at Madison Park. Everyone had great swims with Ben finishing in 1:21.09, Kathy at 1:30.09 and me at 1:18.21. There were some snafus at the finish with capturing all of the finishers since they opted to not have timing chips. I think six volunteers shouted my race number as I ran to the finish, but the women’s wetsuit winner, Caitlin Switaj, had to spend a lot of time straightening out her race time to win her salmon. A course record was broken by the women this year for non-wetsuit. Ava Hamblitt (20 years old) went a blistering 1:06.44, just over one minute behind the fastest male finisher. It seems the older I get, the faster the competition gets at this event.
Overall, it was a great race experience and nice to be back after a nine year break (having babies will do that to you I guess). That may be my last Fat Salmon, as Lake Washington gives me swimmers itch. But if anyone wants to swim in Lake Sammamish, Beaver or Pine Lakes, let me know! I do love the pool but am trying to embrace the local lakes if there are no unpleasant side effects!
Colleen
