Open water swim practice in Chicago south suburbs?

I am not aware of anywhere in the south burbs that you could do a OWS (at least not do it legally).  Starting in June, every Wednesday night at 6:00 there is a OWS at Indian Trail Beach in Lake in the Hills.  And I know that people regularly swim in Lake Michigan south of Oak Street beach (in front of Lake Shore Park) on weekend mornings.

That's going to be a tough one. Most places won't be open until after Memorial Day. We swim at Naperville Centennial Beach on Friday evenings starting in June but before that you might as well jump in the Dupage(DUMPAGE). I ran into this same problem a few years back and drove down to Lake Shelbyville 3 hours south of here and got an open water swim in. It was worth the drive. Great lake to swim in and nice and dark and deep to get all of the fears out of you. I just went off by the public beach in town. You might be able to find some place down near Wilmington, Braidwood or Coal City areas. There's all kinds of strip mines down there and I think some are open to public swimming. Maybe call Will County Forest Preserve or Fish and Wildlife down there and they may be able to point you in the right direction. Or they might laugh at you. Got to love this sport. Good Luck

Just wonderin if you found anywhere for an OWS without driving downtown?

I may try to get to centenial beach, but that's not much more open water than the outside pool at Lifetime in Romeoville!

How is the water temp?
I think it may be worth a swim to at least get the wetsuit back on.

I swam there a couple weeks ago. I would say the temp was 70ish, didn't need the wetsuit. Although, it was a tough swim trying to navigate all the kiddies that were struggling to make it to the platforms.

Edited by Meulen 2010-06-09 2:02 PM

mmm, that's exactly why I was looking for a lake in the area that's not technically available for swimming...

I want to practice in wetsuit and proly cooler water with no kids playing.

If anyone has another idea post it up.
maybe I'll have to make use of my daughter's trip to 'american girl' and go swim while she pics doll stuff with mom!


Anyone driven by spring lake park off Mcoy dr, just west of fox valley mall?
Looks good on the map

Edited by alex jb 2010-06-09 2:33 PM