Open water newbie

Join an open-water swim group. Contact Maine Masters and ask if there are any informal groups that go for ocean or lake swims. Search for info on the forum MarathonSwimmers.org. There are seveal great OW swims in Maine. Try one out (Sebago Challenge, Peaks to Protland, Rockland Breakwater, Nubble Light Challenge). Sebago is a 1/2.5/5K lake swim, that would be a good start.

I've been swimming competitively in the pool for something like 15 years now, but I am interested in trying an open water race, either in a lake or in the ocean this summer. I have absolutely zero experience in open water other than just playing around at the beach. I've looked around this website but I would like some more info. Does anyone have any good books/websites/resources for someone who wants to try open water swimming for the first time? I'll take any and all tips! Open Water Swimming by Penny Lee Dean Dover Solo by Marcia Cleveland Swimming to Antarctica by Lynn Cox for starters. There are lots of websites. Info from Masters. Your local Masters group...Good luck. You are going to have a blast.

This is a fantastic resource for open water swimming advice and event news: www.marathonswimmers.org/.../

I've been swimming competitively in the pool for something like 15 years now, but I am interested in trying an open water race, either in a lake or in the ocean this summer. I have absolutely zero experience in open water other than just playing around at the beach. I've looked around this website but I would like some more info. Does anyone have any good books/websites/resources for someone who wants to try open water swimming for the first time? I'll take any and all tips! At the beach, you can swim parallel to the shore for increasing amounts of time. It's good to have a group to swim OW with regularly - once a week or so.

Join an open-water swim group. Contact Maine Masters and ask if there are any informal groups that go for ocean or lake swims. Search for info on the forum MarathonSwimmers.org. There are seveal great OW swims in Maine. Try one out (Sebago Challenge, Peaks to Protland, Rockland Breakwater, Nubble Light Challenge). Sebago is a 1/2.5/5K lake swim, that would be a good start. There are a few regular open water practice swims in the summer relatively close to Lewiston. Several groups use Crystal Lake once the water temp rises enough to swim (usually sometime in June, though last year it was May). There are also swims in a lake around Bath. And a few of us swim regularly at Pine Point in Scarborough, though that may be further than you want to drive. PM me if you are interested in more details about any of these. As for races, gregoc has listed the big ones in Maine. All except for Sebago are ocean swims, which means learning to deal with the water temperature (most people wear wetsuits). Peaks is usually the warmest (low 60s) and Nubble the coldest (I think it was 55 in the middle of the race). Sebago is right at pool temperature (right around 80) and is generally sheltered, though there was a little chop in the first year. I'd agree that it would be a really good first race.

Sebago - Whenever I drive by that lake I think, this should be swum. And the Challenge is not yet overrun with entrants. It's on my to-do list, and thanks for the info! :) Here is a list of OW swims (Midwest, extending to Northeast) for 2012. Most repeat on the same weekend from year to year. www.freshwaterswimmer.com/.../

Thanks for the info and tips, everyone! jbs, I sent you a PM.

Check out any local triathloners too to join

Anyone swim the 1 Mile in Carona Del Mar, Calif.? Will be my first Open Water Swim ever. I can swim 2-3 miles in a pool with no problem. I've just have never swum in Open Water. Mostly concernced about getting used to the water termp. I am hoping for high 60's low 70's. Will wear swimsuit (brief) only. No wetsuit. Any guidance will be appreciated. Thank you,

Anyone swim the 1 Mile in Carona Del Mar, Calif.? Will be my first Open Water Swim ever. I can swim 2-3 miles in a pool with no problem. I've just have never swum in Open Water. Mostly concernced about getting used to the water termp. I am hoping for high 60's low 70's. Will wear swimsuit (brief) only. No wetsuit. Any guidance will be appreciated. Thank you, I'm a purely pool swimmer who has been forced to do some open water events by my "friends". I have one piece of advice: Get your ass out into the ocean and practice some open water swimming. Sighting is not that big a deal, but just the basic stroke for open water swimming can be very different and you need to practice. Hitting the beach a few times will also get you accustomed to the water temperature. That doesn't mean you will like it, but at least make it so you know what to expect race day. Aren't you near Long Beach? Some of your pool teammates are probably hitting the waves every weekend.