A Venice Beach resident and former pro triathlete analyzes the swim’s unpredictable surf, a narrow sandy bike path ill-suited for racing, and a quirky run that routes athletes through the Venice Canals.
Swim will be unpredictable: Venice’s surf and the Venice Breakwater create variable conditions that could change race dynamics.
Bike course is narrow and sand-covered: the thin, winding bike path on the boardwalk looks unsuitable for fast, safe racing and may prioritize visuals over performance.
Run course is unusual: routing through the Venice Canals promises punchy, technical segments that will favor athletes who handle sharp efforts and turns.
# Course context and local view
# Swim: unpredictable ocean conditions Venice Beach's ocean is not a calm bay. Collins points to the Venice Breakwater and the regular white water along the sand as evidence that surf will vary day to day. Compared with Long Beach—where races have used glassy, surf-free water—Venice offers waves and changing conditions that could make the swim a major variable in the outcome. Expect rolling starts, shifting currents, and more frequent decisions about sighting and line choice than at a controlled harbor course.
# Bike: narrow, sandy, and crowded lines
# Run: a punchy, technical finish The run will take athletes through the Venice Canals and around local plazas. Collins calls it a "pretty weird" run—short, punchy segments and technical turns that favor athletes who can accelerate repeatedly and handle abrupt changes in pace. This contrasts with longer, rhythm-based runs that suit steady tempo runners. The route's character suggests opportunities for short surges and tactical positioning late in the race.
Collins paints a picture of Venice Beach as a busy, eclectic place: a paved boardwalk lined with vendors, skate parks, Muscle Beach, and narrow walk streets. On weekends, the area fills with crowds shoulder-to-shoulder. He emphasizes that the path intended for the bike leg is not used for serious training rides today—its mix of sand, pedestrians, and casual riders makes it a poor match for race conditions unless major changes are made.
# Practical implications for athletes and organizers Athletes should prepare for surf variability in open-water sessions and practice repeated surges and technical turning for the run. On the bike, teams and organizers will need to consider lane width, surface preparation, and safety protocols to reduce crash risk in narrow, sandy sections. Spectators will get dramatic visuals, but those visuals may come at the cost of clean racing lines and simple logistics.
# Bottom line Venice brings character and unpredictability to the 2028 Olympic triathlon: an ocean swim that can reshuffle the field, a bike course that currently reads as narrow and sandy, and a technical run that rewards punchy efforts. Collins' local perspective suggests those elements will make the race visually compelling but operationally and competitively complicated unless course adjustments and robust safety planning are prioritized.
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