Lake Champlain 8 mile swim

Lot of posts from last year. Apparently it turned into 10 miles, and several didn't finish. Info for this year: www.gbymca.org/.../lakeswim09.pdf (You know about the Moray eels, right?) 's last year's adventure (more under key word "Champlain" search): forums.usms.org/showthread.php

(You know about the Moray eels, right?) Do you mean lamprey eels? I know they are in the Great Lakes. I was not aware of moray eels in any lakes. Hmmm....

Some kind of eel. Lamprey. Big, with teeth. This is one of my favorite stories, altho' the route no longer goes from NY to VT. www.aminzade.com/.../index.htm

Some kind of eel. Lamprey. Big, with teeth. This is one of my favorite stories, altho' the route no longer goes from NY to VT. www.aminzade.com/.../index.htm Cool page and well narrated! :applaud: However, 1 mile per hour avg. is a loonnng day.

One more question for anyone who has some advice...have you found a pair of goggles that don't dig into your eye sockets or brow bones after a couple hours of swimming? I used Speedo Vanquishers for the Bay Swim last weekend and used swedish goggles last year when I did the Bay and both types of goggles were pretty painful after a couple hours. I have no idea what kind of goggles would be the least of all evils for an 8-10 mile swim!!

Ohhhhh, what have I gotten myself into! No, I didn't know about the eels, that's just great. Any advice for avoiding these eels (eel repellent maybe?)...or what to do if I come into contact with one? Majorie, loved the link you provided as well. A ten mile race...maybe I'll get a tattoo of an eel if I finish the race...

Has anyone done the Lake Champlain 8 mile OW in Burlington, VT? I entered the race this year (i'ts on 8/8/09) and was just curious of others' experiences! Jamie I did it in 1999 when it still went from NY to VT (8 miles). It was fun, although finding a boat was a challenge. Water was cool (I think about 65), but not cold. In the crossing, there were often times when there was NOTHING to see, so it got a bit disorienting. I bonked a bit and the last 45 minutes was the Swim From Hell. No lampreys, thank God, and no "Champ" (the Lake Champlain version of the Loch Ness monster). I did have a boat (flying the Canadian flag) that was playing "chicken" with me and my boat until the Coast Guard stepped in and told them it would be a long swim back to Canada if they didn't stop. I enjoyed the race (it was really more of a "tourist swim" than a race) and the only reason I haven't gone back is that it's was too long of a drive for my tastes. I think you will enjoy it. -LBJ

I like Speedo GCG's. They have a foam gasket. I still get goggle-eyes but they stay comfy for a long time.

One more question for anyone who has some advice...have you found a pair of goggles that don't dig into your eye sockets or brow bones after a couple hours of swimming? I used Speedo Vanquishers for the Bay Swim last weekend and used swedish goggles last year when I did the Bay and both types of goggles were pretty painful after a couple hours. I have no idea what kind of goggles would be the least of all evils for an 8-10 mile swim!! I wear the metalicized Vanquishers and find them quit comfortable. I also set my straps looser than I would in a meet cause of the in water starts. In addition, they are anti-fog (at least for a few events) so it saves me the time of clearing them every 5 minutes.

For all my swimming, I seem to have settled on the rather pedestrian Speedo Hydrospex (abt. $12) b/c they're comfortable if not exciting. I like the clear ones for o.w. swimming. Tinted ones, regardless of weather make the water appear too dark. This swim sounded interesting until the talk of eels....but if Leonard said he didn't see any, he's a trustworthy source! :2cents: Leonard that "playing chicken" thing doesn't sound any too pleasant--glad the CG chased that boat away! My worry with my long swim was jet skiers. But fortunately, no interference from them! I guess it's mostly human wildlife one has to be concerned about in a lot of these swims! ;)