Low Tide Boyz, a Swimrun Podcast

Welcome to episode 202 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!In this edition of the podcast we share our race report for the final Ödyssey Swimrun/first ÖTILLÖ USA event at Pace Bend Park in Austin. This was our fourth time toeing the line at this super fun race and it was… [SPOILER ALERT] super fun again!Before get into all the details from the weekend we wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to Lars, Aaron, Brent, John, The Voice of Swimrun (Mark), The Chef of Swimrun (Lois) and the scores of volunteers for all they have done to help grow the sport of Swimrun in the U.S. since the first Swimrun USA event back in 2016. Our show exists because we fell in love with the sport at an Ödyssey event in 2018 and we look forward to toeing the line at ÖTILLÖ USA events next year and beyond!With that, enjoy our thoughts on what was another epic Swimrun weekend at Pace Bend Park.Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

16 Nov 20231h 1min

Welcome to this bonus episode of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!We’re back with our second live podcast ever! Joining us for a chat about the future of Swimrun in the U.S. are Lars Finanger and Dominik Leu of ÖTILLÖ. Recorded on the eve of ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Austin, this wide ranging conversation covered how Ödyssey Swimrun and ÖTILLÖ joined forces, what they think is needed to keep growing the sport, what the future holds for Swimrun around the world, and so much more! Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

12 Nov 202349min

Welcome to episode 201 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!In this episode we are discussing how to qualify for ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship since the advent of their new ranking system. We’ve gotten a bunch of questions from our listeners about how to get to the start line so we’re breaking down all the ways to qualify for the race that started it all.Things that are the same as in year’s past:Registration window from January 1st through the 25th.A total of 160 team spots availableAll podium teams from ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship from the previous year (9 spots) (Only for the same team constellation as on the podium)Race Directors choice (10 spots) that are used at the Race Director’s discretion throughout the year for sponsors, media and special circumstances.Things that are a different/new:There is no longer going to be Direct qualification for the World Championship. (Used to be that podium finishers at World Series events would get slots. That is no more.)The Swimrun Ranking system has been revamped and “simplified” and uses a new point system:Team members collect individual pointsTeam members collect points from January to December by finishing in the Top 30 of each category (men/women/mixed) at an ÖTILLÖ World Series or an ÖTILLÖ Merit Race TEAM event. The winning teams will earn a maximum of 60 points (ÖTILLÖ World Series) and 30 points (ÖTILLÖ Merit Race) per athlete.At the beginning of the year, every athlete in the ranking has the chance to apply with a team partner of their choice. ÖTILLO will then add all accumulated points of both partners and create its ÖTILLÖ qualification list, which will be the basis for the invitation to participate at The Swimrun World Championship.How Does the New Point System Work:The Top 30 teams that finish a race in each category (Men/ Mixed/ Women) at ÖTILLÖ World Series events and ÖTILLÖ Merit Races get ranking points.With these points you can apply for Ranking selection at ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship.All athletes in the ranking will be provided with an invitation to apply for a spot with a partner of their choice that also has collected ranking points in 2023. The two individual rankings will then be added together and will lead to a team ranking for the qualification of ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship 2024.Applications based on Swimrun Rankings take place from January 1st-25th with the announcement of teams taking place on Swimrun Christmas, a.k.a., The first Thursday in February. (Feb. 1 in 2024)The points are distributed based on the following criteria:Racers get individual ranking points at all ÖTILLÖ World Series team events and ÖTILLÖ Merit Races (long distance only) from January 1st to December 31st (calendar year). No points for Solo category racers!Ranking points will be awarded to Top 30 finishers of ÖTILLÖ World Series (WS) and ÖTILLÖ Merit Races (MR) in each category (Men/ Mixed/ Women)Points for ÖTILLÖ World Series Races (WS): 60 for winning team/ athletePoints for ÖTILLÖ Merit Races (MR): 30 for winning team / athleteAt WS races points are allocated ranks 1-30 with 2 points difference to the next placed team (1st: 60 pts, 2nd: 58 pts etc.)At MR races points are allocated ranks 1-30 with 1 point difference to the next placed team (1st: 30 pts, 2nd: 29 pts etc.)Confirmed ÖTILLÖ Events for 2024:ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Utö - June 8thÖTILLÖ Swimrun Engadin - June 29thÖTILLÖ Swimrun Mackinac - June or July TBCÖTILLÖ Swimrun Gothenburg - August 3rdÖTILLÖ Swimrun Casco Bay - August 11thÖTILLÖ Swimrun Sprint Final 15k August 31stÖTILLÖ The Swimrun World Championship - September 2ndÖTILLÖ Swimrun Orcas Island - September 15thÖTILLÖ Swimrun Cannes - October 12thÖTILLÖ Swimrun Pace Bend Park - November 3rdSummaryIn closing, we think that while it will be more straightforward to qualify under the ranking system, it may be harder for “slower” teams to garner enough points to qualify easily but definitely not impossible. We think that these new rules are an improvement and reflect the reality that there are many Swimrunners experiencing events with different partners and this new system really embraces that. Finally, we definitely recommend that teams put the World Championship in their sights and experience the sheer epicness of the Stockholm Archipelago for themselves.Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

9 Nov 202317min

Welcome to episode 200 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!!!Takeover alert!! To celebrate this milestone episode of the show, Kristen and Susan A.K.A., The Low Tide Wivez, take over the mics to talk about whatever the hell they want…and possibly Swimrun.(Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that tuned in to the show, saw our videos, liked our memes, slid into our DMs and emails and generally put up with our brand of super niche content. It means the world to us to have your support and encouragement on this journey.)Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

2 Nov 202320min

Welcome to episode 199 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!In this episode, we share another installment to our ad hoc Swimrun 201 series. In this edition, we talk about our “tether evolution.” We’ll rehash some tether basics for new listeners, chronicle our tether use over the years and share our latest thinking on how to achieve Swimrun flow with (and without) the tether.Tether(ed) LinksCheck out our Swimrun 101: The Tether and our article in Triathlete Magazine (Online Edition). “What’s the Deal with the Tether?” for a bunch of great beginner content about the Swimrun tether. We also have several videos on our YouTube Channel on how to make a tether and a video version of our Swimrun 101 episode explaining this magical piece of Swimrun kit. Tether EvolutionIn our 5ish years of participating in Swimrun, we have gone through all the stages of tether use from minimal use, to “all the time” use, and now to our latest stage of trying to race without it. We will see how it goes but given that our relative fitness is pretty close, we thought that we would try what a lot of super experienced Swimrun teams do, namely, use the tether only when needed and/or for swim guidance, and not for “pulling” purposes. Our theory is that this will minimize things to fiddle with during the race and allow us to move through the environment all the more seamlessly.Tether CaveatAs with anything Swimrun, there are a lot of ways to experience the sport and set up your team’s kit and we highly, highly recommend that teams try everything out in practice before race day.Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

26 Okt 202321min

Welcome to episode 198 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!We’ve got a great show for everyone this week! Joining us on the podcast is Brendan Sickau. He had an EPIC Summer of Swimrunning all over Europe. Prepare to be amazed, inspired, and, of course, stoked.But first…Training UpdateÖdyssey Swimrun Austin Pace Bend is about a month away. We’re ramping up the specific training for the course and getting to work in the pool and on the trails. Fun times!ShoutoutThis week we’re shouting out our newest Patrons on Patreon: Sarah Booth and Peter Jervis. Thank you both so much for your support of our super niche brand of content. Feats of EnduranceIn case you were living under a rock this weekend (a rock without internet access), the Women’s Ironman World Championship took place in Kona and it featured some amazing racing and amazing vibes. Over 2,000 women raced including a few of our Strava Club members. Major kudos to Kathryn Meinhardt and Kristen Waugh on your epic accomplishment!Make sure to sign up for our LTBz Strava Club and join Swimrunners from around the world as they train for stuff.A Summer of Swimrunning w/Brendan SickauIt was so fun to talk to Brendan. He’s 21 years old, has long hair, and loves Swimrun. In this conversation we chatted about where that love was born, his summer of Swimrun all over Europe, got some mini race reports along the way, and so much more. Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

19 Okt 202351min

Welcome to episode 197 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!We have another edition of Gear Talk with Annie and Brooke of the Swimrun Labs this week. In this episode we discuss the entire Swijin Hybrid line of Women’s gear. If the name sounds familiar it is because we interviewed the co-founder of Swijin way back on Episode 180 of the show. Make sure to check out that show for all the background on this really amazing company…and listen to this one to learn more about how the gear fared in testing. Use code ANNIESWIJIN to get a free brief with purchse of the Swijin braDid Annie and Brooke love the Swijin Hybrid Sports Bra, Briefs, and Bike Shorts? The answer was an emphatic YES!!Use code ANNIESWIJIN to get a free set of bike shorts with a purchase of the Swijin bra.Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

12 Okt 202352min

Welcome to episode 196 of the Löw Tide Böyz - A Swimrun Podcast!It’s been long overdue, but we’re super stoked to (finally) welcome Fred Newton to the show this week. He’s the Editor of Swimrun.com, a Swimrun evangelist like us, and a terrific human being. We chatted about all kinds of Swimrun-related topics and we can’t wait to share this conversation with all of you. But first…Training UpdateWe’re starting our last training block of the year as we head towards Ödyssey Swimrun Austin Pace Bend. We’re stoked to close out our Swimrun season for the fourth time at this event and we’re also stoked to be able to drop some of the training volume!It goes without saying that we encourage everyone who is Swimrun-curious to join us for this beginner-friendly race.ShoutoutThis week we’re shouting out everything that participated in As Keen As Mustard’s Survivor Swimrun over the weekend. This event featured a fun format where individuals raced a 3k lap course with 3 swim sections and 4 run sections on the beautiful River Nene. The time for each lap gets progressively shorter until there is just one racer left. Good stuff!Feats of EnduranceThis week’s winner is Lucas Hetzel for deciding to “Yolo it” and sign up and race a half marathon with no training over the weekend in Milwaukee. Strong work on both some questionable decision making and finishing with a good result!Make sure to sign up for our LTBz Strava Club and join Swimrunners from around the world as they train for stuff.Show BusinessSwimrun Swap MeetPartners month is being supported by our friends at Precision Fuel and Hydration. Make sure to check out their free online race nutrition planning tool to help you prepare for race day. Need hydration and/or fuel to go along with your new shiny plan for race day? Click on this link to save 15% off of your first order. Fred Newton, Swimrun.com EditorIt was so great to chat with Fred. We’ve been communicating with him on the internets for a while and it was so fun to finally spend some quality time in Studio G with him. In this conversation we chatted about when he drank the Swimrun Kool-aid, how he found himself at Swimrun.com, his ÖTILLÖ experience, how to grow the sport in the U.S. and abroad, and so much more.Enjoy!~~~That’s it for this week’s show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that’s the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon…if you feel so inclined.Thanks for listening and see you out there!-  Chip and Chris

5 Okt 20231h 7min