SFA - That was a great post. Sometimes I forget how frightening that first OWS is and it's really great to hear how people think through it.

Katluvr - go out to the lake where the race is being held the day before if you can. Put on your wetsuit and float around in it. Don't worry about swimming, just float around and get used to trusting your wetsuit. It will float you. When you're tired in the race you can just float and look around.