To swim or not to swim

Swim in it if you KNOW you won't panic out there in the open water. You might want to look into getting a Swim Safe aid before swimming alone though. Swimming alone is dangerous.

Otherwise, what is your plan to ensure that boats won't run you over? If you swim across the lake you are taking a risk of that happening. If you swim close to shore, maybe where boats don't go, it would be safer.

Personally, I would never swim across a lake alone... I would want kayak support from a friend first. I'm too scared of boats running me over.

I would also swim with a Swim Safe aid.

Im fairly certain no motorized boats are allowed and I think I can move faster than a little row boat. If thats should be my only concern then im goin for a dip.

Heh. Probably not a problem on the size lake you describe, but you've never been run over by a single person scull, have you? :D :D

John

I did get hit by a golf cart while jogging. Close enough?

Heh.  There's obviously no canoe/kayak racers on your lake.  My boyfriend and I can hit over 6.0MPH in our stock class canoe in flatwater, and that's slower than the hardcore pros with their graphite boats.

You should NEVER SWIM ALONE.  No matter where you're at.

2 questions come to mind:
!) Why were you jogging in a lake?
2) Why was the golf cart in the lake?

I always swim with my husband as my guide in the the kayak.  I did a swim in a "fishing" pond and the one thing I will caution you on is "milfoil".  I had the weed wrapped around my neck and arms, not nice, and a real yucky feeling.  So, just beware of the weeds so you don't freak out.  And please do not swim alone!

Why not swim around the shore instead?  Just a thought -- obviously I don't know the lake.

To those who say "don't swim alone", I'll disagree.  If you've thought carefully about the risks involved and are willing to live with them, I don't see a problem with it.  We all choose to take certain risks in life -- it is your personal choice.  (See this recent thread for a lot more discussion of this point.)

My parents rented a place on a lake for the summer in Cape Cod.. So I had ample opportunity to lake swim this summer...  I tell you something.. It does take some getting used to.  At first I was surprised what was down there... Fish, turtles, weeks, leaves (a lot of leaves), an old tire, coffee cans and a few beer cans...  But clean lake overall.

I swim alone but always have somebody at least watch me from shore (in case)..  Here is my suggestion.  Swim by the shore around the lake..  I did this and I could always see the bottom.  A few time I got deep where I could not see the bottom and this freeked me out!  Just stay close to the shore and you will be fine!!!