can't find open water

[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