Open Water Swim Practice

Tofu,

There is a group of us that swim every Tuesday 6pm at Klineline in Vancouver ( I-5N Salmon Creek Exit). There always seems to be someone there. Pm me if you might want to meet us there or carpool I live in NoPo.

Also Athletes Lounge is putting there group swim on every Thursday at Cathedral Pk up to the Portland Tri.

Just swim close to shore along a stretch of beach.

It's not really a big deal and people really overemphasize the dangers involved (although they do exist).  Just stay within your comfort zone and if you have a little voice in your head saying "This is not a good idea" - listen to it and get out.

Also, there are probably plenty of inlets, bays, sheltered spaces, etc that you can swim in with a lot less current, waves, etc.

IN Texas we ahve swimming areas in the lake, do ya'll ahve that too?

I would stay away from lake shores, as this is where poisenous snakes are home!

"I strongly recommend swimming as many times as you can in your wetsuit before your race.  I had a real hard time feeling like I couldn't catch my breath in my wetsuit and ended up not using it which made the swim more of a struggle than it should have been.  Plus it is quite the experience swimming with other people so close to you in open water.  I swim along the shore line in a lake near me early in the morning, no boats to worry about.  Good luck and have fun, my first was a great learning experience and have already signed up for my second race."

x2