Anybody training in Lake Michigan, up north (northern 'burbs of Chicago)?

I'm going to try Gillson park on saturday.  Haven't tried to swim there yet so don't know how far they let you go.  I'll post back afterwards.

Someone else had suggested that to me -- Gillson. If you get there early enough, you can avoid the parking and beach fees (need to be in and out before 9:00 a.m.)

Let me know how it goes. I'm planning on swimming there Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., with a few people from my 'training group'.

FYI, heard chicago beaches were closed today (Saturday, jun 20) due to the heavy rains.

Amy 

Gillson is closed today too.  I'll try again tomorrow.

Was closed sunday morning too.  I did go today after work.  Got there around 7 and everything was open and it wasn't crowded at all.  The guy checking parking passes and the people watching the entrance had gone home so it didn't cost anything and I could park in the beach front lot.  From the roped off boat area to the bouy marking the other end of the swimming area took me about 5-6 minutes, don't know how far it was but I did a couple laps.  Pretty good place to swim.  I'll be back after work again.

Edited by protoplasm72 2009-06-22 10:12 PM

I  just swam at Gillson with my training group -- it was great! The distance from buoy to buoy (northern-most to southern-most, within the ropes) is 750 feet. So 3 1/2 lengths is 1/2 mile. 

We're swimming again at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning (jun 30). I'm Amy, so if you see us, join in!

Amy 

Wow that is crazy early for me.  I was there again around 7pm today.  I'm Joe if by some chance we end up out there at the same time.

I'll let you in on the best kep secret of OWS in the Northern Burbs, and its called Lake Valley Lo, located in Glenview.

The Together We Tri (TWT) training group, hosts OWS sessions on Thursday evening from 6p to 7p, for $5.00! No parking hassles, no permit issues, no buoys! Swim around the lake or back and forth across it to your hearts content. There are lifeguards in kayaks present (which is better than swimming Lake Michigan all on you own) and usually about a dozen other swimmers of varying ability levels to swim with, or chase after (usually the case for me).

http://www.togetherwetri.com/ The webpage reads:

Open Swim at Valley Lo:

Starting June 4th, join us every Thursday at Valley Lo from 6-7 pm, where we'll hold organized training swims.

Sign up below reserve a spot if you're not in one of our training groups. Otherwise, all TWT athletes can just show up at Valley Lo to join us for a great training swim.

Come out and take your first step toward completing a triathlon!

Fee: $5 for participants training with TWTand $20 otherwise. Payment made at Valley Lo.

I've been there the past couple of weeks and really have benefitted and enjoyed it. My name is Matt, so say hi if you make it out.

Can anyone swim in the Lake at the Valley Lo Club.

The website looks like the entire club is private.

I have swam at the lake at Valley Lo -- it's a good place to train. A lot less hassle than parking at the beach. Our training group (which is very casual) went there with someone who is a member. 

So if we met up with your group on a thursday night, would we pay the $5 or the $20?  

I'll let you know how our next Lake Michigan swim goes. Our last one, our first time at Gillson beach, was fantastic!

It was good to be actually in the lake just to get the feel for the waves, etc., before our first triathlon. We're doing the Racine Sprint, so we will be in Lake Michigan for the OWS.

 

I believe if you just show up, you could sign a waiver and pay your $5.00 bucks like everyone else, but I can't promise. The club handles the sign in and receives payment, and they don't ask if you are a TWT member or not, they just say $5.00.

You could email Libby at TWT (the owner) and ask her, or you could show up and chance it.

Good luck at the race.