ows practice locations

I have swum in 3 places that all work well, depending on your location:

1.  Nokomis.  You can swim just inside the white bouys and do laps.  There are usually other swimmers doing the same and the lifeguard  makes it a viable option if you're alone.  Downside is people playing on the water, might get in your way.  And parking is not free if you can't find a street spot.

2.  Shady Oak Lake in Minnetonka.  Pay for a seasonal beach pass and have access to a nice beach, lifeguard, and long stretch of open water.

3.  Little Long Lake in Mound.  Gear West tri club folks go out there as well as a great place to meet for a small group.  Boat traffic is minimal,  might not allow motorized (or I have not seen it anyway).  Most beautiful location I've been to.  No lifeguard, though, so you need to have a group.  You can just swim right across the lake, from beach to beach, along the shore, etc.  Map of my "route" http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/map.asp?routeid=20188

Jeez, how'm I supposed to find this thread if it is stickied?  I never look at those threads.

Learn it!!

  Actually, I worry about that kind of thing...

Not to re-spark the debate of where it's okay to swim, etc., I wanted to clarify why I think that swimming just inside the buoys a good thing (and why Nokomis is a good choice for me), for the sake of learning for those who are not familiar with this particular dilemma.

I prefer a beach where there's deep enough and relatively swimmer free water just inside the buoy line.  That way I can feel safe that the lifeguard is in the best position to help me.  The occasional time I have to stop to avoid someone playing in the water is no more than the effort I make during a race to avoid someone off-course or stopped.

(And for the sake of anyone who's not been hip to this particular debate, there is actually a law that you cannot swim outside the buoys and you could get a ticket.  So, swimming outside the buoys is "at your own risk" and may earn you a ticket.)

I'm not going to argue whether it's "okay" or not to do anything that's against the law. I choose to follow the law.  Have you read the thread about "photo etiquette"? I can't believe the people who try to argue it's okay to break the law, because in some cases it doesn't matter the same amount to them.  That's for each individual to decide (or move to a country where breaking the law is okay, you won't like that either...)

So, here's the Minneapolis City ordinance.  I haven't looked up the ordinance for any other city regarding bathing/swimming in public waters:

PB3-2.  Use of unauthorized beach; swimming across lake. No person or persons shall swim or bathe at any unauthorized beach or park water; nor shall any person or persons swim across any lake or park water unless accompanied by a boat and then only with permission from the park and recreation board or its proper officers. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 1011.050) 

(I am interpreting  that swimming outside the designated swimming area violates this, whether you are swimming across the lake or not.  "Across the lake" is an argument your attorney can fight)

Just don't want to see any of our new triathletes with a ticket.

I could really chime in on that article but I'll pass as to keep the thread informational and not editorial.

I hope to get in some good swims up at the cabin, unfortunately its a big lake and takes a while to warm up. 

I grew up swimming at the beach in shady oak so I am familiar there.

The Friday morning swims sound like fun but that’s a haul for me to get from there to work.  Maybe if I "work" from home some Fridays.

I'll also check out the Long lake swims, thanks for all the input!

I remember it being pretty darn cold, leading up to Memorial Day weekend.  After that it's definitely not a problem. I think there are some crazies swimming in Albert Lea this weekend though...  Shallower lakes with an early "ice out" will be warmer, faster.  Further south the better.  Where might you swim?  Maybe someone can give you an more specific anecdote.

There was talk of a mid-May metro area lake swim simply for the sake of doing it.  I don't think it'll exactly be a comfortable swim, though.  I think come June more lakes will be ok for swimming.  Mid to late June, no problem at all.