Hello!
Is there a lake in NJ/lower NY/east PA, where unsupervised swimming is permitted?
They do not generally allow swimming in NJ state parks lakes, except that at the tiny crowded designated beaches, and only when safeguards are on duty.
Is that possible to sign some kind of waiver, or get some certification, or permit to swim in the NJ state park lakes on your own?
What are the other options for fresh water swimming in this area?
Thanks
Thanks for that reference. I should check it.
But is there a place where you can just come in and swim at any time on your own? Like in the ocean.
Some of NJ park lakes are so nice, but they prohibit open swimming in it. What is the rationale behind this ban?
How come that motorboats and fishermen are allowed, but swimmers are not? I guess a swimmer makes much less damage to the nature than a motorboat or a fisherman.
Please, could anyone explain these legal issues?
Well, I'm not up on NJ policies regarding their swimming areas and I'm not a lawyer, but just a one-word guess: liability. If they put it out that swimming isn't allowed in a particular lake, then if someone swims, gets hurt, and sues, they will say the person was swimming at her/his own risk. But just a guess, as mentioned. But then again that doesn't account for the people in motorboats, and (agh!) on jetskis!
Former Member
Thanks for that reference. I should check it.
But is there a place where you can just come in and swim at any time on your own? Like in the ocean.
Some of NJ park lakes are so nice, but they prohibit open swimming in it. What is the rationale behind this ban?
How come that motorboats and fishermen are allowed, but swimmers are not? I guess a swimmer makes much less damage to the nature than a motorboat or a fisherman.
Please, could anyone explain these legal issues?
Hello!
Is there a lake in NJ/lower NY/east PA, where unsupervised swimming is permitted?
They do not generally allow swimming in NJ state parks lakes, except that at the tiny crowded designated beaches, and only when safeguards are on duty.
Is that possible to sign some kind of waiver, or get some certification, or permit to swim in the NJ state park lakes on your own?
What are the other options for fresh water swimming in this area?
Thanks
Sorry for the late reply but I only recently heard about this from a friend:
www.cgievents.com/.../openwaterswims.html
It's a series of noncompetitive open water group swims in Wenonah Lake in NJ (not actually sure where it is, but there are direx on the site). Might even think about trying one of them myself.
Hope this helps!
That is where I grew up. I learned to swim there. I was going to suggest that website too. I have not actually gone to any of their events, but they sound good.
Swimmy :)
Former Member
Well, I'm not up on NJ policies regarding their swimming areas and I'm not a lawyer, but just a one-word guess: liability. If they put it out that swimming isn't allowed in a particular lake, then if someone swims, gets hurt, and sues, they will say the person was swimming at her/his own risk. But just a guess, as mentioned. But then again that doesn't account for the people in motorboats, and (agh!) on jetskis!
It does not account, indeed. That is really strange.
Now, they have specifically designated areas, where swimming is allowed but only when lifeguards are on duty. This can be explained by liability issue. Is it possible to sign a waiver and go swimming when there are no lifeguards?