Hi Joe. This may be too late--but for the future anyway. I am not sure why you could not find a place to do your swims. I am not sure if you go to the north or south end of the island.
I am on the north end and you can swim in the bay all you want. I would STRONGLY suggest you get a friend on a kayak to ride next to you so that you are visible for water craft traffic. You may also one day try and stop by St Francis pool and talk to the folks there--they get together and do open water swims.
As for the beaches--I swim in Noth beach no problem. We have no lifeguards where I am so I always have someone watching. But, swimming in the ocean is never a hassle or a problem.
Just an FYI--there is an ocean one mile swim race this weekend in Barnegat Light. Nice low key race--and well a surf that makes the swim VERY intersting.
Good luck!
Tricia -
Thanks for the information. Last year, I went to the area south of the Causeway just across from the police station. The lifeguard said I had to stay within the swim area. That area is VERY small, so I just bagged it.
I'll likely swim either in the Ocean (my family is renting a place in Beach Haven Gardens). If I give the bay a go, I'll definitely have someone in a boat go with me!
Unfortunately, I'm arriving on LBI too late on Saturday evening to participate in the OW swim. I would have LOVED to have done it.
Once again, thanks for the information. Maybe I'll see you around LBI next week.
John
Hey John--glad you got my note.
I think I know where you went--you went to a bay beach with a lifeguard. It has a big boat in the park--sunset park. It is where they held the lbi triathlon last year. It is small.
When I swim in the bay, I do it right off the back of my house (in North Beach) between docks that exist there. We also go out on a boat and I just jump on in of course with someone looking out for me. It is July and there are a lot of people in the bay who are not particularly looking out for a swimmer!!!
Yes, avoid, the official bay beaches if you can because they are very small. There are several places with public access--check out by Schooner's wharf--you may be able to go right on in there.
If you head north--at Harvey Cedars park--by the water tower in Harvey Cedars--they rent kayaks. A local woman and her mom do open water swims there every single weekend. So if you head there, a friend can kayak and you can walk right on into the bay and swim--no guards--but you should make sure you have someone with you in that area--there is an channel that lets boat get into that little cove and of course, the people on kayaks.
Have on fun on LBI!!!!!!!! I love it there. I hope to make it through the swim on Saturday night. Last year, more than a third who started did not finish. It was a horrible surf!!! Somehow I stuck it out and I am not a particularly good swimmer. Here is hoping for a nice calm surf......:bliss:
Enjoy!!! Maybe I shall see you!
Have fun!
Claudia
Claudia,
I'm visitng beach ahven and want to swim wth others. Do you know where these others are or the Sat. swim mentioned. I'm on engleside ave. I'm nervous swmmng alone and wthout boats. Whaa...
Thanks,
Aelxis
