First dip of the season!

heya vive, It's great! Still one of the cleanest places to swim around here. So far no condos. Just the two small beaches and lifeguard house. Come on out for a visit again! Lots of swimmers on friday mornings. How's Walden Pond doing? My old stomping grounds; swam there before Red Cross swimming program went in. Used to go 'round to opposite side and dip. Condos yet? After 200 IM blasts in practice last night and 4 hours' sleep, I dragged myself down to the lake this morning under overcast skies at 6 a.m., got in, swam not much, got out, sun came out, felt fine, if exhausted. :eek: Zzzz

I don't know what's wrong with you people and the short swims. I did my first open water of the season, and stayed in a few hours each swim. Okay, it was during a week in Captiva, Florida, and the water was mid-70s. I am a big wimp and will not be getting in the water here in Western Mass. for quite a while. I am actually still nervous about the 10-mile Vermont swim at the end of July, fearing the cold. I stand at the shore in admiration (and in a sweater, and boots, with a thermos of hot coffee........)

First dip of the season! W*a*l*d*e*n P*o*n*d in Concord, MA. ... uvmflier How's Walden Pond doing? My old stomping grounds; swam there before Red Cross swimming program went in. Used to go 'round to opposite side and dip. Condos yet? After 200 IM blasts in practice last night and 4 hours' sleep, I dragged myself down to the lake this morning under overcast skies at 6 a.m., got in, swam not much, got out, sun came out, felt fine, if exhausted. :eek: Zzzz

Ohio St Beach has warmed up a bit since Tuesday! Went today and measured about 56 near the beach, although it got quite a bit colder about 100-200yds north. Only slightly cloudy after all the rain yesterday and glassy :)

. I am actually still nervous about the 10-mile Vermont swim at the end of July, fearing the cold. excellent! i look forward to seeing you there!

Can you move north, and a little west? The Great Lakes make for fine OW swimming. It may happen one day. I did the Big Shoulders in September, and fell in love with swimming in the lake. I will do a couple of open water swims in the Columbus area (first one in June). In the meantime, I'm checking the local Y schedules for the first possible moment to at least get in nice long outdoor long course swim. It's driving me crazy. There's a lake in SE Indiana about 45 min away in which park rangers probably won't fish me out if I jump in, but I can't seem to get away for that long.

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? Yes. On the northside of the pier is the Ohio Street Beach where the Big Shoulders swim is staged. It is great swimming. I've swum there twice: Last Year's Big Shoulders when it was sunny, calm, and the water was cold, and the day before as a prep when the water was very choppy and cold. Enjoyed both swims.

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

There is parking at Navy Pier. Or take public transit and do a beach change. :)

I remember a couple of years ago a bunch of us tried to swim from Ohio st around to Oak st and the lifeguards had a fit!! (mid summer). I guess there are a lot of boats and jetskis around at times, beyond the designated swimming areas. We started early, before 7 a.m. The boats empty their bilgewater (though they are not supposed to), and there's diesel fuel in the water, but nothing the pier swimmer hasn't encountered before! Fortunately, there are usually enough swimmers to create a critical mass. I'm not sure where Palos Heights is. Wonder if there is anything closer to you? Maybe JimCanSwim or smontaro would have some suggestions.