I`m in Chicago for a few days and I`m going to swim in Lake Michigan tomorrow by the Navy Pier.
Anyone one here familiar with swimming in this spot?
Welcome! That would be Ohio Street Beach waters, which you'll find just north of Navy Pier. Swim north, parallel to the seawall/highway/cement bike path. The intersection with stoplights (metal flashing on seawall, from swimmer's viewpoint) is the half-mile mark. If you keep going, you'll pass another beach, Oak Street Beach. You can continue going north to the boathouse (a big center in the shape of a boat), then turn around and retrace your steps. I don't know whether the buoys are in yet; Chicken of the Sea would know. I would recommend early in the day, as the Jet-Skiers (often, evidently, drunk) are active in the afternoon. Also, the lifeguards start around 9 a.m. and might not let you go as far as you'd like. They are generally tolerant; all the tris do practice swims here.
This group does a 6 a.m. swim starting from the first yellow ladder at Oak Street Beach:
www.openwaterchicago.com
(The site says next swim is "Saturday, May 17," but I believe they mean Sunday, May 17.)
Expect water temp in the mid-50s. From your blog, I doubt you'll have any problems with what Lake Michigan might throw your way. Ohio Street Harbor is pictured in my avatar.
Marjorie
I`m in Chicago for a few days and I`m going to swim in Lake Michigan tomorrow by the Navy Pier.
Anyone one here familiar with swimming in this spot?
Welcome! That would be Ohio Street Beach waters, which you'll find just north of Navy Pier. Swim north, parallel to the seawall/highway/cement bike path. The intersection with stoplights (metal flashing on seawall, from swimmer's viewpoint) is the half-mile mark. If you keep going, you'll pass another beach, Oak Street Beach. You can continue going north to the boathouse (a big center in the shape of a boat), then turn around and retrace your steps. I don't know whether the buoys are in yet; Chicken of the Sea would know. I would recommend early in the day, as the Jet-Skiers (often, evidently, drunk) are active in the afternoon. Also, the lifeguards start around 9 a.m. and might not let you go as far as you'd like. They are generally tolerant; all the tris do practice swims here.
This group does a 6 a.m. swim starting from the first yellow ladder at Oak Street Beach:
www.openwaterchicago.com
(The site says next swim is "Saturday, May 17," but I believe they mean Sunday, May 17.)
Expect water temp in the mid-50s. From your blog, I doubt you'll have any problems with what Lake Michigan might throw your way. Ohio Street Harbor is pictured in my avatar.
Marjorie
