I have not done it but am interested in doing it, probably soon, before it gets overrun. Have heard that Lake Superior water is cold. The Apostle Islands should be nice for camping and kayaking after.
For reviews (favorable), try www.openwaterchicago.com.
Others in upper Midwest are Teal Lake Swim, usually July, in Michigan's UP, and Little Traverse Bay, Harbor Springs, MI, usually first wkend in August.
:)
I will be doing this for the first time this year although know several that have done this swim the past couple years. They have enjoyed the event. I have not heard any bad feedback.
2+ miles, relatively straight, cold water swim.
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This brings up another question I have, as a relatively inexperienced OW swimmer. Wetsuit, yes or no?
I've done Big Shoulders in 71 degree water. This will be about a 50 minute swim in mid to low 60's water. The web site says wet suits are "strongly recommended" which means I'll probably go for comfort and get one. Last year a 17 year old from our team set the course record in a B70.
I didn't try for this year, but yes, I would be prepared with a wetsuit (see photos of the event), and I am glad they close registration at a manageable size.
August 7 also has an OW swim in central Illinois:
www.clubassistant.com/.../meet_information.cfm
and Big Shoulders comes up September 11:
www.bigshoulders.org
The GLOWS series (Great Lakes Open Water Swim series)
www.ilmsa.com/.../2010GLOWSSeriesDescription.pdf
presumably has an August 7 swim in Holland, MI.
Or create your own Tour du Lacs!
:)
