I am interested in getting into open water swimming. I was a distance swimmer in high school and just started getting back into the pool recently. I am up to 4000m in a bit over an hour. Does anyone know people who practice in the area and when and where they meet? Saw the recommendations for a few books. Anything else I should check out? My goal is to work up to some longer swims. Not sure what "longer" is, considering some people are talking about 24h swims and what not, so I am interested in what open water swimmers call "longer" as well. WOuld love any advice and good info available. Thanks!
Hi, Helen--
On the home page for USMS.org, you can find a like that sends you to "places to swim" in different areas. Join a friendly masters team somewhere close to your home or med school, and you will almost certainly meet people who do triathlons, long distance events, etc.--or at least know people who know them.
If you can travel in May/June, you might get a kick out of the Bay Bridges swim in the Chesapeake near Annapolis--4.1 miles in somewhat chilly choppy water. You got to sign up early cause spaces go quick.
There's also the Bonaire swim down in the Bahamas coming up--Randy Nutt has something about this in the forum somewhere.
Good luck!
Former Member
Thanks for info. Problem with joining the Masters program is that then I have to pay to practice. I am a student and get free access to my university pool, so it doesn't make sense to spend the money on a limited budget. I did join them for a few months when our pool was closed after Katrina and I did not meet many triatheletes. I know that they practice somewhere in lake pontchatrain, but don't know their schedule.
Thanks for the details on the swims. Can't do the Bonaire because I will be an intern at that time and will not be going anywhere but the hospital. Anyone have any recs on Southern swims within the next few months?
Former Member
We are having a open water race in Pensacola, Fl April 22, 2007. The distance is a little over 3 miles.
www.3milebridgeswim.org/
I will also get you some info you swims in your area.
Steven Fair
I am interested in getting into open water swimming. I was a distance swimmer in high school and just started getting back into the pool recently. I am up to 4000m in a bit over an hour. Does anyone know people who practice in the area and when and where they meet? Saw the recommendations for a few books. Anything else I should check out? My goal is to work up to some longer swims. Not sure what "longer" is, considering some people are talking about 24h swims and what not, so I am interested in what open water swimmers call "longer" as well. WOuld love any advice and good info available. Thanks!
A local triathlon club will have the scoop on where to train in open water. You can find one on the www.usatriathlong.org page. Look under clubs.
