Open Water Swimming in Harriman / 7 Lakes region

Condor- I swim up at Lake Welch throughout the season. I'll be up there this Sunday at 10am to swim, full wetsuit.

No real protocol. We stay close to the rope and most people are very nice about giving us a "lane" next to the rope. The fact that there are people messing around in the water actually helps simulate real deal OWS'ing. You're not allowed to swim outside the ropes and as the day goes on they move or remove ropes to make the swim length longer.

Starting mid-June the lake opens weekdays as well and I go up Thursday mornings also. You'd certainly be welcome if you wanted to join us...

Eric J

Eric-

Is the Sunday morning swim a regular event? I would be interested in swimming there some Sunday.

Thanks.

John

John- I can post the Sundays we'll be there. If I'm not racing I'll be up there swimming. I can start a new thread with a schedule and people can post if they want to meet up....

Eric J

Eric-

Are with a group on Sunday at Lake Welch? I may have to work. If I don't work, would it be Ok to meet you guys?

John

There will be two of us for sure, maybe 3. Some Sundays more. We'll be dong about 49 minutes in the water then a loop on the bike and a short run.

You're certainly welcome to join us anytime...

Eric J

Eric-

Thanks for letting me join you guys. I hope to meet you up at Harriman again.

John

John- Great that you made it. I'll post up when we're going to be there. Racing up in Harriman this Sunday so no group OWS but should be good to go for the following Sunday the 21st...

Eric J

Hi - I live in Monroe, NY so Harriman is very convenient. I am doing NYC in July and swimming is my worst event. Even though I could do the distance in a pool last year I panicked in the hudson so I would like to try some open water. Lake Welch would be great. Other times if people want a change a pace I know of two lakes in Monroe that are rarely used and are over a mile long.
1) Walton Lake - They allow sail boats, row boats and I know of people who swam it. I never have. http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS294&q=walton%20lake%20monroe%20ny&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

2) Lake Mombasha - This is a town reservoir. Technically you are not supposed to swim or boat on it but people do. I actually live on this lake and as long as you did it in the morning you would not get thrown off. I have done short swims here but my wife does not appreciate me doing it alone. As I said I am not a strong swimmer. A few real hard bike rides or access to Herritage trail about 3 miles away. I might be able to host something small one morning, but I would like to try Lake Welch first. http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS294&q=panicked&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Jim

Hi, all!  I'll be visiting family in Fishkill (from Boston) this weekend and was interested in finding a lake for some OW swimming.

For Lake Welch, do you have to stay around the ropes?  In MA, they set up ropes for the beaches, but unless there's major boat traffic, no one bothers you about swimming beyond if you're a capable swimmer.  I'd prefer to just swim the lake the long way and back.  Do you guys think that'll be a problem?  Also, how's the temp around now?  I'm hoping to ditch the wetsuit (mine's sadly a little small on me) and just go in a tri suit.  I'm no cold-water-wimp, but would probably squeeze into the suit if it were in the low 60s or chillier.

Also, has anyone swam in Canopus Lake in Fahnestock Park?  I'm not sure where the main beach is there or if it would be easy to try to swim it the long way.

Drove by Canopus a couple Saturdays ago and saw the penned in area by the beach and weedy surroundings, so drove down one side of the lake.  Stopped at the landing where you can rent a rowboat and asked the rental guy about swimming on this clear half of the lake.  He said people do it, and he can't stop you, but you could risk a ticket, maybe a stray fishing hook and there are snakes.  I figured the snakes stick to the weeds and wouldn't be much of a worry, and the chance of a stray hook was small and the water was nice and clear enough.  The only problem was that it was late morning (~11ish) and there were a lot of people fishing, including where I thought I might get in, and I got the evil eye from a family fishing at the water's edge when I tested the water with my toes.   Would have tried lake-poaching again before boat rental hours on Sunday, but ended up sleeping in instead.

Do folks who head to Welch on Sunday, or other area lakes ever just go for a workout during pre-lifeguard hours?

They get pretty strict up at Lake Welch but I don't "poach" swim off hours or in the restricted lakes. I have a couple friends who do though...

Eric J