Swimming in Lake Ontario?

I swam in Lake Ontario a couple of times last year. It was safe. I swam out at Cherry Beach. There is a web site that shows the quality of the water as it tested each day:

http://www.toronto.ca/beach/index.htm

I had no problems last year. Once you get passed the fact is is cold and looks nasty in places and a bit "squelchy" underfoot. It's a good place to practice as the chop can be a little more that some lakes.

Yes, most of the time it is safe and tested regularly.  Good Link Above.

You can also swim at Hanlan's Point on the Island, if you can get over the unclothed group.  Appartently it is the cleanest beach due to its location.   The lake never gets over 21 C and is at its max temp now.  A wetsuit is a good idea.

Has anyone here done the Toronto Island tri?  What was that swim like?  Any tips would be greatly appreciated as I had just registered for this year's race.

Thanks!

Dave

I signed up for it last year and due to the cold water they cancelled the swim and turned it into a Du. The day before the lake was perfect, then overnight there was high winds and the cold water from the bottom was churned to the top and the water ended up at about 55degrees. The elites went in and out of 20, 5 had problems due to the cold so they decided, for safety, to cancel the swim. As they said, they wouldn't be able to handle the number of problems had they let everyone swim.

 Other than that was a good race, however you have to share the bike route and run route with pedestrians and other island "tourists". Could be a little dangerous. Not a venue for a PB I don't think.

Lake Ontario would probably be the worst because of the direction of water flow through the lakes.  The is bad stuff everywhere, and although day and time of year are a factor, so is the cumulative downstream effect.

I haven't registered but plan on doing the Toronto tri. It would be my first and I'm nervous as HELL!! My training has slipped but I figure I've 10 weeks to get back on track and ready for this. I'm hoping to practice the open water swim in the lake at some point this summer. I read that wetsuits are mandatory for this one yet last year's swim was cxl'd.

Is this your first tri too?

Marcia

Marcia,

I have been racing for about 9 years, and have done the Niagara tri 3 times (the swim is in Lake Ontario on the shores of Grimsby).  From this experience I know that the conditions in the lake are unpredictable and usually COLD.

For the Toronto race, please wear a full wetsuit - especially if you are new to this race.  A wetsuit will not only give you the termal protection you need, but will make you more buoyant in the water.  This adds to your overall confidence and safety during the swim.

All the best during your training, and I hope we will somehow meet up in August!

Dave

I still have to explore the whole wet suit thing and hope to find a place nearby where I can rent one and try it out.  Anything that will help make me faster and keep me afloat will be appreciated!!

You can say "hi" as you speed on by - I'll be the one *dying* on the run portion... cursing that she can't wear her iPod during the run!!  

Check out Swim & Sports.  I rented from them when I was living in the Toronto area.  Excellent products and service.  I've included their info below:

 Swim & Sports - 905-602-9159
5484 Tomken Road , Mississauga , ON L4W 2Z6