I working toward a long distance goal/dream a few years down the line and as an intermediate step this summer I am increasing my open water competition swims. I have recently moved into the midwest and as a way to get my family involved in my swimmming travels, and learn the area, I thought I would try to get a swim in each of the Great Lakes this summer. I know of a few but was wondering if if hitting all five lakes is a possibility.
Thanks for any help or direction.
Former Member
I agree. Great idea! I've thought of it myself. So I did a little looking already.
Lake Michigan = Big Shoulders!
Lake Erie = They hold an annual swim in Cleveland that's done in Lake Erie. Last year they held the 1-mile Open Water Championships there. Not sure about a website.
Lake Superior = I heard of one last year that's a two mile swim. The website is:
Point to LaPointe Swim
Lake Huron = Maybe something near the Straits of Mackinaw?
Lake Ontario = This might be a hard one, since it's all in Canada. But I'm sure they have something somewhere.
Good luck and keep us informed! Inquiring minds want to know! :)
JIM
That sounds lovely! Would you mind sharing the ones you have discovered? I know only of the Big Shoulders event, in Chicago. I believe someone on this bb mentioned getting permission to swim the Mackinac (sp?) Strait next summer.
Regards, VB
P.S.: Looks like "markm" from this board is going to try the Straits next year. Some other ideas are on the favorite OW swimming events thread.
That sounds lovely! Would you mind sharing the ones you have discovered? I know only of the Big Shoulders event, in Chicago. I believe someone on this bb mentioned getting permission to swim the Mackinac (sp?) Strait next summer.
Regards, VB
jef mallett, creator of the comic strip Frazz (and registered masters swimmer!!) did a charity swim in the straights over labor day weekend (see website here ). i don't know if this is an annual thing, but i'm sure you would be able to contact him or the charity he raised money for to see it if is. and that would technically then knock out lake michigan and huron for you, right? :)
Lake Ontario = This might be a hard one, since it's all in Canada. But I'm sure they have something somewhere.
I'm not sure what races they might have there, but most of the south shore of Lake Ontario is New York state - Rochester, for example.
Mick
Ontario Masters
Link to Ontario Masters events. Maybe some are in lake, if you don't mind visiting. While in the province, Algonquin Provincial Park, with many lakes, is a lovely place to visit; many landscapes there painted by Canadian 7.
www.mastersswimmingontario.ca/.../schedule01.htm
Regards, VB
Old Navey and JimCanSwim:
There are lots of organized swims in the Great Lakes that were not mentioned that I have linked that were on the Michigan Masters schedule last year and I have linked the page so you can see them.
www.michiganmasters.com/distance_postals.htm
I'm not sure what races they might have there, but most of the south shore of Lake Ontario is New York state - Rochester, for example.
Mick
You're absolutely right! My bad! :doh: I thought Lake Ontario was entirely inside Canada.
JIM
