Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $699, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
1
In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
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Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
thanks for the comment on my RR!
you were first in the chute.
as always, i appreciate you reading.
you can always come to Boulder to swim, if that helps… probably not huh…
I would suggest the Potomac, but then well, its the Potomac. The canal maybe? I think Adam knows of a 50 meter pool that doesnt have lane markers or lane lines that might help.
Unfortunately, that pool is only open during the summer (Ft Myer in Arlington). I struggle with finding open water swims in the area. Joining a tri club helps, since they go in groups, so you don’t have to worry about swimming by yourself. However, they are usually scheduled during the summer. You listed the only places I know of within close proximity. Keep me posted if you find anything!
If you are still looking….the best deal in town (if you can call it that 2 hours south) is the Richmond TRI Club. Join for $25 a year. They sponsor chaparoned open water swims every other Friday from May-September.
It is tons of fun, swimming up current, and more fun swimming back downstream!
Found your blog via a google search for “open water swimming DC”. I love open water swimming more than life itself and am sad that there’s really no place to do it around here!
I used to have a friend who lived in the Montclair subdivision down by Dumfries, and she’d let me use her lake pass to swim in their private lake. For a year or two after she moved, I still snuck into the lake with the old lake pass, claiming I forgot my new one at home, but they caught on. Sadly, no one on Craig’s List responds to a “Do you live in Montclair? Do you want to be my friend? Can I use you for your lake access?” ad!!
I don’t run or bike… really, just swim. So joining a tri-club really isn’t up my alley. I’m obviously not nearly as athletic as you (I average 2-3 swims/week, usually around 2500m each, sometimes more, sometimes less). But still, I’d love to know if you find any more places in the area.
Once it warms up some, I think I’ll go try out this park: link to dnr.maryland.gov — there is no lifeguard on duty, so it looks potentially promising (no one to keep you in the roped off areas).
Going to “subscribe” to your blog to see if you come up with any more places to go.
btw… where were those “two docks” that you mention in this post? Seems like it’d be a better alternative than the “nothing” I’ve got right now! :)
The two docks were actually out in Seattle – at a wetsuit trial event. ;)
Given it’s taken a wee bit longer than usual to get OW swimming warmed up here this year, I’m a bit behind – but looking to get out sooner or later. Likely Sandy Point as the first stop, but I’ve got a slew of little places I’ve cycled past that I wouldn’t mind trying.
Hey there…. I also found this blog post via googling “open water swimming.” Personally, I always have trouble picturing in mymind where all thepotential swim locations are around the DC area, so I made a google map. Enjoy.
Just found this post, again from Google search. If you are still trying to swim in the area, I am game to try better local options.
Last weekend I kayaked in the Potomac, and jumped in for a swim. It seems like if you had a kayak escort with a second seat left empty, you would be following the same rules as all the water skiers. Water quality was fine in my non-microscopic opinion. I also have thought extensively about swimming the C & O canal when they pump new water in.
I also saw people jumping from the new sea wall at the just opened water front park in Georgetown, then climbing up a construction safety ladder to do it again. Looked fun, and no one seemed to be intervening to stop it.
Send me a note if you’re up for trying a few local spots in the Potomac.
I’m also looking for an OWS – this Saturday to be exact. DC Tri has their training tri, but of course I didn’t see it. I was hoping to stumble upon a swim team or something that does regular open water swims. Please let me know if you have found anything!
Thanks!
Lauren
I did this swim today and thought it was awesome and not too far from DC for a sunday drive: link to rehabtoracing.com