Hi folks, I was wondering where most people were doing there open water swimming in Massachusetts?
I had a sad experience today - I went to Lake Cochituate, with an escort (we rented a kayak), and about 100 meters into the swim, we had a lifeguard from a nearby beach telling me I couldn't swim in the lake, outside of the buoy area (which was no more than 2ft deep and absolutely tiny. So I swam back and forth a couple times, while my friend kayaked around the beautiful lake for a little while. That's quite a waste a very nice lake I think.
Are other lakes in Massachusetts similar to this? Are there lakes with Kayak rental available that actually let swimmers in the lake?
in the suburbs west of boston - walden pond may be your best option. to the north stiles (boxford / georgetown) is a popular spot. there are also lots of public access points at the beaches where you can slip in stay very close; swimming parallel to shore.
Lake Cochituate is a great place for OW swims (I do most of my training there). You just have to swim before the beaches open, before 9-10am.
The northern lake in Wayland is the best. You can start at Saxonville beach in Framingham at the northern most point of the lake. Research beach hours and do your swims before they open. Techniquely you are not supposed to swim in Lake Cochituate, but if you are quiet about it and stay out of the way of boaters, you will be left alone.
As for ocean swimming in the Boston/northshore area, South Boston is a great area. You can swim from L St. beach to Carson beach and back (about a 2 mile loop). Nahant beach is a good spot. There are small islands in Salem Sound that you can swim out to as long as you have some sort of boat escort.
Where are you in Mass? I am in Amherst, and have plenty of open water spots out here. Also, most places will let you sign a waiver and then swim outside of the roped area.
Happy to share suggestions if Western Mass meets your location needs at all.
Where are you in Mass? I am in Amherst, and have plenty of open water spots out here. Also, most places will let you sign a waiver and then swim outside of the roped area.
Happy to share suggestions if Western Mass meets your location needs at all.
Syd,
What about the Boston/Salem area? We will be traveling there in August for vacation. Can you recommend any good pools or open water spots there?
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
Sorry it took me a bit to reply. I'm afraid all of my recommendations would be in the Amherst/Northampton/Belchertown area, about an hour and 40 minutes outside of Boston. I'm happy to host you for a swim out here, should you make it this way on your trip! It's worth a day trip out here as it's really lovely.
I'm sure there are Boston folks who can help with other spots but please let me know if you plan on getting out this way.
Cheers,
Sydne
Walden Pond Concord, MA is the palce you've been looking for. I think the perimeter swim comes to about 2.5 miles. If you arrive most mornings early you'll have plenty of company from others training and can even park on the side street. Usually 5:45 to 6:30. I miss it! Have fun! Go for a jog after into Concord center.
Hi folks, I was wondering where most people were doing there open water swimming in Massachusetts?
I had a sad experience today - I went to Lake Cochituate, with an escort (we rented a kayak), and about 100 meters into the swim, we had a lifeguard from a nearby beach telling me I couldn't swim in the lake, outside of the buoy area (which was no more than 2ft deep and absolutely tiny. So I swam back and forth a couple times, while my friend kayaked around the beautiful lake for a little while. That's quite a waste a very nice lake I think.
Are other lakes in Massachusetts similar to this? Are there lakes with Kayak rental available that actually let swimmers in the lake?
Where are you in Mass? I am in Amherst, and have plenty of open water spots out here. Also, most places will let you sign a waiver and then swim outside of the roped area.
Happy to share suggestions if Western Mass meets your location needs at all.
Good Morning. I live out in springfield and was looking for some good places to get open water training in Western, MA. Although your post is from a while back, I am hoping to get some suggestions. Looking to train for 1/2-1 miles swims.
Thanks in advance. John
Hi John,
Happy to help.
There are some great places out here, and even some relatively close to you. Westfield, etc.
In Westfield, there's the Hampton Ponds State Park. Haven't been there, because it's a bit far for me. But it's a good option for something closer to you?
I swim in Belchertown often, at Belchertown Beach. Mostly, I go there because it's close to my house, and slightly larger than Puffer's Pond, the local Amherst swimming hole. It's been pretty warm this summer but since I'm a cold gal generally, I like that. To swim there, you have to park at their lot, but there's a way to enter the water without going through their defined swim area.
Normally, I'd also swim in the Connecticut River but this year, it's been unsafe. Too high, and with too much debris.
Lake Wyola is also an option. There are boats there so it's important to swim along the perimeter. And you will, again, have to enter from outside the park area, unless, like me, you tell the lifeguards that you are about to swim "out of bounds" and that you hope they look away. :)
Crystal Lake, in Connecticut, is about 40 minutes South of you. Never been there, but a friend loves it.
My favorite place is in Vermont, at Harriman Reservoir. It would be a schlep for you, but if you want a beautiful swim in a lovely place, that's the thing to do. So nice. I just did a 3-hour swim there a few weeks ago and my husband and I were the only people there the entire time.
I know there are other places I am not thinking of right now! I will do some more thinking and let you know. Hope this helps a little!
Sydne
Syd,
What about the Boston/Salem area? We will be traveling there in August for vacation. Can you recommend any good pools or open water spots there?
Thanks,
John
I just returned from there and the ocean is great..get in at devereux beach in marblehead...great swimming in a mild setting....there were ow swimmers who would swim to iislands and back..not very wavy....
