So, after reading through some threads in which it seemed like people suggested they trained in open water after dark, my question is: Do You?
Typically, a few times a year (usually when the moon is bright) I will go out at night and do a normal long swim, but I don't make a habit of it. Last October, before the water here in CT got too cold, I went for several night swims (using tinted goggles, which was a bit of a mistake) but now I am thinking of making this a more regular thing in order to train more when the tide isn't conducive to training during the day (i.e. when I'm at work). Is this just stupid?
It doesn't seem any more dangerous to swim at night than during the day (particularly with appropriate goggles:)) since I am always swimming by myself anyway. Any thoughts on this?
Former Member
We used to swim in the Credit River when the lake was too cold. The Italians used to go to the shore line and stick their hands in the water. They would suck onto their hands and that is how they caught them.
Apparently they are a delicacy in Italy. Royalty ate them in England whatscookingamerica.net/.../LampreyPie.htm
I hated them with a passion.
Former Member
We used to swim in the Credit River when the lake was too cold. The Italians used to go to the shore line and stick their hands in the water. They would suck onto their hands and that is how they caught them.
Apparently they are a delicacy in Italy. Royalty ate them in England whatscookingamerica.net/.../LampreyPie.htm
I hated them with a passion.
thats probably the best way to get rid of them.
lamprey sushi anyone?
Former Member
These are the suckers I hated when swimming day or night in Lake Ontario. I have had them clinging on in multiples of up to 3 at a time.
images.google.ca/imgres
Former Member
I've always loved swimming at night in open water. However my preference is full or near full moon. On a moonless night away from city lights, open water swimming is a bit spooky even for me. I also surfed for years under full moon. The only time you can have the top surf spots to yourself.
Former Member
...Apparently they are a delicacy in Italy. Royalty ate them in England whatscookingamerica.net/.../LampreyPie.htm
thats probably the best way to get rid of them.
lamprey sushi anyone?
Get rid of the lampreys, or the royalty? :joker:
Former Member
Well, I went swimming last night at 9pm. It was like 60 degrees here in CT yesterday with the promise of much colder weather today (it's now like 43 out) and I wanted to get at least one more swim in before the end of the season. I walked along the shore for quite a while before I got in, but once I was in it was fine! I swam for about half an hour, occasionally thinking about some of the things in this thread (although boats are uncommon, I'm more concerned about them than sharks; no matter what anyone else says, I don't hold out much hope of running into a great white here in L.I. Sound). By the end of the swim, the water was getting cold, and drying off on the beach was a cold and lonely experience. But, I did get in one more swim, and if it has to be the last of the season, it was good enough.:bliss:
Former Member
You got in a swim! There aren`t many out there who know how you felt. I do! I hope you slept well!
Former Member
Does it really matter, lake, ocean, river, sea, some places the fish are bigger some places the fish are smaller. Night swimming has pitfalls anywhere.Did anybody stop to think the original question was about swimming in a lake or river? :chug:
Former Member
Did anybody stop to think the original question was about swimming in a lake or river? :chug:
Former Member
I was part of a 5 person english channel double (England-France-England) relay this year. We did one night prior to the event for familiarization before midnight in Sandycove in Cork, which is reccommended. However with the long northern latitude nights in Ireland, I felt it wasn't dark enough until slightly later. It did take some of the mystery away but was very different from the solo night swims during the actual event.
Months later (end of august) during the actual relay (25 hours) I had the dusk to full dark transition and a full dark swim between 2 & 3 am.
Bio-phosphorescence was much stronger in the channel. The sense of peace and calm was very strong, and the water, which was quite choppy, felt calmer (though it wasn't) than during the day. Some of the swimmers didn't like it as much as me, but it was my favourite part of the swim. One swimmer also felt it heightened the sense of feeling cold.
For the channel you must swim with two glowsticks for safety, one on togs, one on hat.
I highly reccommned people try it at least for the experience. I know others who love it, others who don't.
If shore swimming make sure you have a hat nightstick (the new electronic ones are great and visible further, if you can find them) and someone on land with a strong light for reference.
Better still if you could have kayaker with a light to follow.
Regards
Donal
Ireland
