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!
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.
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.
