Lake swims at lake Hartwell

Details:

Purpose:  These lake swims provide an opportunity to swim in open water as part of a group, for safety, training, and social reasons.  The group size varies from as many as 30 (peak size in spring) to as few as 2 (late fall).  It is a very loosely organized group, not a "pack" swim.  Swimmers of all abilities are welcome

Time:  The lake swims are on Wednesday evenings, from April through October. There are two start times: 5:30 pm and 6:15 pm. You are welcome to swim in either wave, or both.  No one will prevent you from starting earlier or later, but you may not get the kayak escort if you don't start with the group.

Clinic:  From April 4 to May 9, there will be a brief (10-20 minute), optional swim clinic at 6:00 pm.  Topics will very each week, and will highlight open-water swimming skills such as sighting, drafting, and buoy turns. The clinic will include brief instruction as well as drills and exercises designed to teach specific skills. 

Location:  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 on Wednesday afternoons on Twitter (@lakeswims), 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.  It is about 1600 m to the radio tower and back. Many will swim this loop. Others will swim shorter distances.  Some will do multiple 1.6 km loops. It's all up to you. Here is a Google map of the route: <http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/united-states/sc/clemson/332545468>.  The route will be marked with buoys during peak season when there is kayak support (April through mid-May) but will be unmarked later in the year.

What to bring: Bring your goggles and swim suit or tri suit, and possibly a wetsuit. Wetsuits are 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 April and early 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, so if you would like to volunteer, or know someone who would, please let me know.

Post-swim Socializing: A crowd often assembles at Mellow Mushroom in Clemson after the swim for dinner, drinks, and conversation.

Safety Notes:  The kayakers are there to make us more visible to boaters, but they can't be right next to each person 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 to boats and to the kayakers.  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!

Sponsorship: Thanks to the Upstate Tri Club for providing the marker buoys