Master 2094
| Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in October Open Water Swims at Lake Hartwell
* Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm and 6:15 pm, from Crew Beach in Clemson * Kayak support through peak season (late May) Two differences this year: * The cooler of drinks is back! It will be stocked with water and sports drinks, and is sponsored by the Upstate Tri Club. * Weather updates will be posted on Twitter, as well as email. Follow "lakeswims" on Twitter to receive these updates. Details: When: The lake swims are on Wednesday evenings, from April through October. There are two start times: 5:30 pm and 6:15 pm. Plan to show up at the lake 10-15 minutes before that, as everyone will be in the water & swimming at the start time. You are welcome to swim in either wave, or both. Where: We swim from East Beach (aka crew beach) on Lake Hartwell in Clemson. This is directly across the lake from the site of the Clemson triathlon. It is also the site of the Death Valley open-water swim race. Directions: Driving directions from Greenville or Anderson: as you approach Clemson on either Rt 28/76 or Hwy 123, exit onto Rt 93. Turn left onto 93 and drive for about 2 miles, passing the main part of Clemson's campus and then the football stadium on your left. Shortly after passing the stadium and the Esso Club, turn left onto Perimeter Rd. After turning onto Perimeter, make an immediate right onto East Beach Drive. This turn is marked with a sign for "Clemson Rowing". Follow this road for about half a mile, ending with a steep hill. Park in the parking lot at the top of the hill. If you want to use Google Maps to get driving directions, you can use this link: < http://maps.google.com/maps?q=34.677,+-82.855+(East%20Beach)&iwloc=A&hl=en>. Weather: We will swim in the rain, but not if there is lightning. Weather updates will be posted to "lakeswims" on Twitter, and sent by email to anyone who has RSVPed for that week's swim. Route: Most people swim out and back along the shoreline / dike, towards a radio tower that makes a good sighting target. How far you swim is up to you. Many will swim ~800 m out and ~800 m back. Others will swim shorter distances. Some will do multiple 1.6 km loops. You can practice swimming straight, sighting, drafting, or whatever you want. It's all up to you. Here is a Google map of the route: < http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/united-states/sc/clemson/332545468>. What to bring: Bring your goggles and swim suit, tri suit, and/or wetsuit. A wetsuit is mandatory in March, highly recommended in April, optional in May, not advised from June through September, becoming optional again in October. Unfortunately, we don't have access to a changing room or restroom, so plan ahead. Support: In the early season (April and May) there will be one or more kayakers present as a safety escort. If you expect kayak support, please start on time. If you start late, the safety boaters will assume you are not with the group. Kayak support is entirely dependent on volunteers. The Upstate Tri Club will sponsor a cooler of drinks: water and Gatorade will be provided to help you rehydrate after the swim. Post-swim Socializing: A crowd often assembles at Mellow Mushroom in Clemson after the swim for dinner. Safety Notes: The kayakers are there to make us more visible to boaters, but they can't be right next to each of us at all times. Please help them out by staying close to shore and not venturing too far into the middle of the lake. A brightly colored swim cap helps to make you more visible. When no kayakers are present, buddy up and don't swim alone. Above all, take responsibility for your own safety and realize that you are swimming at your own risk! |