Contacts during a Tri

[HillSlugger]

I always wear for contacts (gas permeable) when I swim. My goggles never have leaked so I've never had a problem. I am paranoid about getting them knocked off during a tri swim and losing my contacts but it hasn't happened so far (knock on wood).

[Urlea]

I wear my contacts when I train and when I race. So far I haven't even come close to losing them.

Like Lph mentioned, contacts tend to glue themselves onto your eyeball. If you've ever worn your contacts while taking a shower try moving them around afterward, they are stuck.

For me, I'd rather run the risk of losing them in the swim portion then not wear them at all. I'm pretty blind without them so I would be a hazard to others.

[Veronica]

I wear mine when I swim too. I use daily disposables and yeah, that glued to your eyeball thing can be pretty painful.

Another thing to add to my transition bag - extra contacts and a mirror, 'cause I can't find my eyes without one.

V.

[kat_h]

My husband wears contacts under his goggles. It's actually the only time he wears contacts. He's never had any problems, even going down the waterslides at West Edmonton Mall.

[alpinerabbit]

How else could I survive swimming, blind as a bat?

Never have been cautioned against it, a friend even windsurfed and never lost one.

[Grog]

I wear mine all the time without a second thought (although for my two tris I had my glasses in my transition area just in case, 'cause I'm really half blind!).

I was kicked in the face during my first tri and lost my goggles. I don't recall contact problems though.

[kelownagirl]

Thanks for the responses, ladies. I thought he was being a bit overly-cautious although MAYBE it has something to do with the continued healing of my eyes. I don't need my contacts when I swim but I will wear them on race day so I can see when I ride.

And ok, your stories about being kicked etc are freaking me out. I'm going to have my own nice clear piece of smooth water when I swim aren't I?