can't find open water

[ginny]

Hi everyone - do any of you have a hard time finding open water that is legal to swim in? I started swimming in a big reservior last year (behind the no boat bouys) and found out a few weeks ago that swimming isn't allowed in any of the 6miles of water except at this one stupid beach by the boat launch (read lots of gas in the water). So this week, I trespassed to find a small residential lake to swim in - I think maybe the herbicides and pesticides were so high in the water there that I had major eye issues for the rest of the day (swimming is allowed in that lake). Then yesterday, I went swimming in a no swimming reservior way out in the boonies and it was SUCH a nice swim! I had to dodge rangers though -- we are thinking of lobbying for open swimming areas - like getting the triathletes to come together and write to the state park system or something. Do you guys have any suggestions? Do any of you have these issues? I'm thinking of writing a humerous book about all the places I have swum illegally

[rocknrollgirl]

Last year I had to drive 40 mins each way to find a legal lake to swim in. I live right at the shore, but since I do not race in the salt water, I did not want to train in it. At the end of the season, I was granted access to a small private lake in my town. It takes me 5 mins to get there. I go in the water off of a dock, and use the home owners outdoor shower when I am done. I feel very lucky.

Now that being said, I have dodged huge man eating turtles, killer swans, leeches and now, "swimmer's itch" schitosomiasis ( sp). Not a deadly parasite, but one that makes me want to shower off as soon as I am done.

I will still take that over the 40 min drive each way!

I think getting the local triathletes together is a great idea. You may have a very good chance of getting the rules changed.

[HillSlugger]

I have to drive about an hour to do legal OWS, either to the Chesapeake or to the one "nearby" State Park where it's allowed. Right now the Chesapeake is out due to stinging jellyfish. This coming Friday is the "dress rehearsal" for the IronGirl triathlon: they open the lake for an OWS swim practice. This is only 30 minutes form home but swimming is only OK there for this, the actual IronGirl triathlon, and for the Columbia triathlon. I'm planning to "crash the party" so that I can get in another OWS before my tri on Aug 17. Oh, the things we are forced to do for training!

[mimitabby]

Last year I had to drive 40 mins each way to find a legal lake to swim in. I live right at the shore, but since I do not race in the salt water, I did not want to train in it. At the end of the season, I was granted access to a small private lake in my town. It takes me 5 mins to get there. I go in the water off of a dock, and use the home owners outdoor shower when I am done. I feel very lucky.

Now that being said, I have dodged huge man eating turtles, killer swans, leeches and now, "swimmer's itch" schitosomiasis ( sp). Not a deadly parasite, but one that makes me want to shower off as soon as I am done.

I will still take that over the 40 min drive each way!

I think getting the local triathletes together is a great idea. You may have a very good chance of getting the rules changed.

Wow, my memories of being a child in NJ; we swam in a lot of lakes. The one I KNOW is still around is Lake Hopatcong. I'm not sure the others (one was at Cheasquake park) are still lakes or are still safe to swim in.

Where I live there is water water everywhere and as far as I know, it's legal to swim in too!

[ginny]

Thanks girls for your stories of commiseration - it makes me feel better... I think I'll still try to rally the tri troops in my area to badger the state agencies