Open Water Swimming???

I swim at Boulder Rez since it's the closest place for me....but it sucks that you can only swim when there is a guard there and only in the roped off area.  So, for that reason, the gravel pond is best! 

Yep, it's going to be darn cold for a while.....a wetsuit is smart.  As far as when to start....well that depends on how many times you think you need to go before your race - my opinion anyway!  for me, since I suck at OW swimming, I'd start as early as possible! 

Another suggestion is Bear Creek Lake Park, in Soda Lake. You can only swim in the roped off area, but from one end of the area to the other is about 75 yds, and about 8-10 feet deep.  If you go early in the morning, it is completely empty of other swimmers, and there is never a guard on duty.  Also, it's free if you ride your bike in. Then you can do a great brick afterwards, with a ride over the dam and back.

It's VERY cold, so you might want to wait until June or else wear a wetsuit. 

Bad news.  I heard they just had a sewage spill in Big Soda Lake, so it's closed for swimming.  You may want to check out their website.

 As for when you can swim, I went at the end of June last year and it was tolerable, but I about froze my butt off without a wetsuit. I think it's a great place to start OWS, but you are only allowed to swim within the roped area, but it's about 75yd from end to end.  It's also nice that it's open anytime to swim, since there are no guards.

You can swim at the Aurora rez - and they are having some Open Water swim clinics July 5th, 12th and 26th from 6-8. I emailed the staff there asking for more information on the OW swimming and the clinics and this is what I got back just today....

<<<<
Hi! The open water swims are $10 each and that includes park entry. We
will have kayakers and ranger boats for safety. It's basically a course
set up similar to what Danskin, My Way or the Tri Way, Rattlesnake and
the other tri's swim. It runs from 6-8pm and you can swim as little or
as much as you want to in that time frame.

The lap lane in the swim beach area is basically open the same hours as
the park. The area has lifeguards from 10-6.>>>>>

It costs (I believe) $5.00 per car to get into the park from dawn to dusk. Seems like a pretty good deal to me. Let me know if/when people want to go over there - Maybe we could car pool and get in some good OWSimming.

does anybody know off hand where you can OWS up here in Fort Collins?? i have 2 kids mostly full time and it would be difficult to shoot down to denver more than once or twice to meet up with anybody (though i will try to hit up those clinics, thanks for getting that info, carrie!)

thanks!