open water swim

Not sure how far you are willing to travel but Dutch Springs in Bethlehem PA is a great place to train.  They have a website..google them! 

I haven't found any convenient open water swimming around here.  Most of my open water swimming is done in races.  Jusat relax as best you can for that first one.  After that, it's not so bad. 

The two places I recall seeing them are CGI Racing and High Road Cycles. CGI is at a lake in Wenonah, NJ on Thurs. nights - not sure how early they start. High Road Cycles has sponsored swims at Lake Nockamixon in Upper Bucks (about an hour from the Phoenixville area), so that's another place to check out.

I agree with Johnnykay though, the key is to just stay relaxed, especially until the initial mass of people settles out. Then just cruise.

There's a place in MD called Gunpowder Falls state park that you can do an open water swim. You have to do it before or after the life guards are there. I think before 10am and after 5pm in the summer. I'm also in Chester County (southern) and it is difficult finding places to practice open water swimming. My first tri is in Sea Isle, NJ over Memorial Day weekend. Did it last year for my first tri ever and the water was 56 degrees. Yes... the most important thing to remember is to stay calm and realize that with a wetsuit on, you can't sink. Let the hard-core triathletes go ahead of you and then start your swim.

I've done the CGI ones in Jersey - I work in KOP and it's a tad of a hike, but it's worth it.  I've done it each year before my first tri of the season.  I'd e-mail either Larry or Michelle and ask when they start, it's not on the CGI site yet.

Edited by stump312 2009-04-13 7:26 PM