Lake Champlain 8 mile swim

Hello swimmers, I am new to this website and I'm thrilled with all of the information and expertise you all have to share. I am entering the 8 mile swim across Lake Champlain. It begins on the New York side of the lake and ends in Vermont. I have started swimming 2700 - 3600 yards in the pool 2-3x a week. I am hoping to get in the lake soon....I just want it to get above 50 degrees! I am a rookie and would appreciate any advice on workouts, nutrition, and any other tips. I have competed in 1.2 and 5 mile open water swims. This seems so much bigger to me. I am both excited and nervous. One thing that surprised me was that they allow fins. Has anyone out there raced with fins? Any pros/cons to share? I look forward to some replies. Thanks! I suggest that you poke around in the open water section for lots of past advice on nutrition, training, etc. Much of it has been said before. Keep in mind that the Champlain swim isn't really a race, per se - it's more of a "challenge yourself swim"/fundraiser and that is why they allow fins/wet suits/ etc. It is very laid back, so no need to get too wired about it. I STRONGLY suggest that you find an escort boat NOW, unless you already have. It can be very hard to find someone. I did this in 1999, so thaings may have changed a bit, but probably not by much. If I can help in any way, feel free to PM me. -LBJ

I'm thinking about doing this race too. I'm debating between the Fire Island 5-mile swim and the Lake Champlain. has anyone done both of these and do you have any basis for comparison? I'm leaning toward Lake Champlain because it's longer--I usually do 5mile to 10k distance--and because Fire Island has a mandatory meeting the week before the race. Hard to get there from Massachusetts just for a few hour meeting. Any other feedback on the Lake Champlain swim? How cold is the water generally? I prefer to swim no wetsuit, but I'm not, shall we say, genetically engineered for cold water. Thanks! Sydne

Hi Sydne, I can tell you that the water temp. by early August is generally around 70 degrees....very nice. I swim in the lake often, but have never swam across. I plan to send my registration this week. The event organizer has been very helpful. The hard part is getting a chase boat, but he did say I can have a kayak escort, so that gets me off the hook! Good luck with your decision. Janet

Hi Janet, Nice to hear that the water could actually be reasonably warm! I assumed it would much colder than that. How great not to wear a wetsuit. I'm planning on sending in my registration this week as well. I am nursing a shoulder injury so am not swimming as much as I would like right now. I am hoping that this will give me the rehab motivation I need! Right now, the best thing I can do to get ready for the swim is to stay out of the water--which is killing me! I will also be having a kayak support boat, unless my husband uses this as an excuse to buy himself a Boston Whaler... Take care, Sydne

I would dearly love to do this swim, but I have never swum more than 4 miles. And that took me almost 3 hours. How can I get more endurance? I have been a 40 minute miler forever and swim 2 -3 miles every other day. Run about 10 on the other. 10 minute miles. I am signed up for the Save the Bay in Newport RI July 21 and Alcatraz on Sept 10 but they are much shorter distances. Do you think it is possible for me do the Lake Champlain this year? Or should I wait till 08? I will try to get back to this board but would not mind an E mail direct: Jimparham@cox.net Oh yes, I'm 60 if that makes any dfference.

Hi sports fans, anyone interested? I think I could get us accomodations. Drop me an E. Jimparham@cox.net -----Original Message----- From: Peter Hoehl Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:31 AM To: Jim Parham Subject: RE: Swim Info We don't offer shorter swims but if you have a buddy that would like to swim the other half and can provide your own chase boat, you could enter as a relay. I don't really have any advice on how to build endurance other than spread it out over time and build up but if you can swim 4 miles consecutively, then you know way more than I. I just run the event. Best of luck with your swims this summer and if in the future you do build up endurance, we hold this annual swim the first Saturday of August every year. Take care. PS, I can send you an information packet just so you learn more about the swim if you want. Just need your mailing address. Take care.

Good luck with your decision. The suggestion of teaming up with someone would be a great way to try out the swim. I still haven't registered and I am frustrated because the only thing holding me back is getting a chase boat. You may want to consider this as well, it's not easy, and I live in VT. You inspire me with your enthusiasm! I am 45 and hope to be swimming races at age 60! Keep swimming!

Hey there, My husband is planning on kayaking for me too. Has anyone done this race with just a kayaker? He can totally go the 8-miles, but I'm curious about other support should I feel the need to drop out at a certain point? Also, what about kayaker navigation? By the way, I did the Lake George 1K, and 6K this past weekend and it was gorgeous! Even though I don't want it to grow too much, I highly recommend adding it to your calendar for next year. Great folks, a beautiful spot, and incredibly inspirational to have the 41K going on there at the same time. We watched the finish Saturday night and i felt truly lucky to be there.

I still haven't registered and I am frustrated because the only thing holding me back is getting a chase boat. My friend Katie (Sister Golden Hair) and I have signed up for the swim and our triathlon coaches are coming and kayaking with us. I emailed the race and they said that was ok. Here's link to our web site that we made for the swim.... teamlunachixdc.com/.../ Hope to see you there! -Julie

Another follow-up question for anyone who's done this swim, or something of equivalent distance. What did you do nutritionally? Since my days of triathlon, I'm not good with GU, and am thinking just gatorade. If it were longer, I'd think something more substantive. Any suggestions? Thanks!