you guys are lucky to be able to swim in such beautiful places!

[bigbuddha65]

i see all these awesome pictures of beautiful scenery - places you've swum

unfortunately, i live in chicago (america), and the only body of water here is lake michigan, but you can only go to where the water is up to your chest, because lifeguards and buoys block you from swimming any farther.


i want to go swimming in an ocean/big river!!!

[Stevie_k]

This is something id like to try as as well. Ive only taken up serious swimming this year so have missed the chance to swim in all the nice places that ive been to.

Right now all i have to swim in is the thames, which is just up the road next to our local oil station. YUK!

So not sure where to go, perhaps kent but i will wait for the summer now anyway its waaaay too cold (although wildswimmer pete will probably disagree(

[Paul123456]

I don't go near open water! After I now what gose into it. Evething from Agruculture Chemicals leaching in the water to Industrial Site tipping all sort of thing into the water, and where I live house hold and there sewage overflow!

[Wildswimmer]

I don't go near open water! After I now what gose into it. Evething from Agruculture Chemicals leaching in the water to Industrial Site tipping all sort of thing into the water, and where I live house hold and there sewage overflow!

Oh come on, it's not that bad. I don't know where you live, but if it's in England and Wales you should report any pollution (and polluters) to the Environment Agency.

I regularly swim in the Mersey, which used to have the dubious distinction of being the UK's most polluted river. It's now teeming with fish and crustaceans (in fact salmon are regularly caught in the EA's humane trap in Warrington), and the huge area of marshes between Runcorn and Ellesmere Port is major wintering site for birds - in fact it's an SSSI.

Our inland waters are in fact cleaner than they have been for the past 200 years. Even if you don't like the idea of swimming in rivers, what about Bala Lake in N. Wales, or the Lake District? The lake I regularly swim in, Hatchmere, has been found to meet EU bathing standards, as has my local river, the Weaver.

Finally, there's always the sea. There's an awful lot of it around our coasts. ;)

RoSPA together with the rest of the Health and Safety Gestapo do their best to frighten people away from open water. Take a look here to see their male bovine excrement shown up for the lies it is:

http://www.river-swimming.co.uk/stats.htm

Wildswimmer Pete

[Dunc]

You could always compete in the 2007 European Masters open water 5km.

It's at Bled, in Slovenia, reputedly the most beautiful place in Europe.
Viz.

[Wildswimmer]

i see all these awesome pictures of beautiful scenery - places you've swum

unfortunately, i live in chicago (america), and the only body of water here is lake michigan, but you can only go to where the water is up to your chest, because lifeguards and buoys block you from swimming any farther.


i want to go swimming in an ocean/big river!!!


You could always go out to deeper water in a boat - but not alone! What I'd really miss in your situation is salt water. Although I do swim in inland waters I much prefer the sea.

Regarding lifeguards. There's only one beach I swim at that is lifeguarded (New Brighton, near Liverpool, at the mouth of the Mersey) but they exercise discretion. Because they know me they'll let me swim even when the red flags are up. This isn't favouritism, it's 'cos they know that I'm experienced, and that I'm not going to take risks.

Wildswimmer Pete

[Chris]

I'm surrounded by lovely sea!!

http://www.islandlife.org/beaches_gsy.htm

[Stevie_k]

And do you swim in it ever Chris?

[Chris]

And do you swim in it ever Chris?

Not regularly .... but yes, all through the summer. And I surf too - occasionally!

I shall also be in there on Boxing Day in 3 weeks time!

Chris

[Wildswimmer]

I shall also be in there on Boxing Day in 3 weeks time!

Chris

I trust that's in just your cozzie? Can't have you wimping it in a wetsuit! ;) I haven't worn mine yet this winter.

Wildswimmer Pete

[Chris]

I trust that's in just your cozzie? Can't have you wimping it in a wetsuit! ;) I haven't worn mine yet this winter.

Wildswimmer Pete

Nope ..... skimpies are the order of the day.

However I probably won't be in the water for more than 30 seconds ..... I'm just not hardy enough to spend any longer in there! Plus, there's hot toddy and other alcoholic beverages waiting for me in the pub at the top of the beach!!

[e-fitz]

...and a few hardy swimmers will be taking the plunge at Stokes Bay on the Solent on New Years day..all are welcome to join us. Skimpies, naturally, and brandy at the finish.

You could see it as preparation for JL's Utopia when heated swimming facilities are only available to the fortunate few.....

[gogs]

i see all these awesome pictures of beautiful scenery - places you've swum

unfortunately, i live in chicago (america), and the only body of water here is lake michigan, but you can only go to where the water is up to your chest, because lifeguards and buoys block you from swimming any farther.


i want to go swimming in an ocean/big river!!!

Move to massachusetts, the ponds there are great!

[Pete]

i see all these awesome pictures of beautiful scenery - places you've swum

unfortunately, i live in chicago (america), and the only body of water here is lake michigan, but you can only go to where the water is up to your chest, because lifeguards and buoys block you from swimming any farther.


i want to go swimming in an ocean/big river!!!

It is all about saving up your money and going to these places. Set your mind to it and then post your pictures after your visit.

[Wildswimmer]

It is all about saving up your money and going to these places. Set your mind to it and then post your pictures after your visit.

What about Florida? Quick internal flight, plenty of sea, and nice and warm this time of the year.

Wish I could go for a few weeks :cry:

Wildswimmer Pete

[Stevie_k]

I couldnt feel comfortable swimming anywhere where there and things that are big enough to eat you.

I would be nervous swimming in a local lake with pike in never mind Florida.

[Wildswimmer]

I couldnt feel comfortable swimming anywhere where there and things that are big enough to eat you.

I would be nervous swimming in a local lake with pike in never mind Florida.

They don't seem to have anything too carnivourous on the beaches.

Wildswimmer Pete

[selkie]

i see all these awesome pictures of beautiful scenery - places you've swum

unfortunately, i live in chicago (america), and the only body of water here is lake michigan, but you can only go to where the water is up to your chest, because lifeguards and buoys block you from swimming any farther.


i want to go swimming in an ocean/big river!!!

During late summer, take a drive up the Michigan coast of Lake Michigan. Lots of great state park and national lakeshore parks that don't really fuss with lifeguards, and the dunes on that side are pretty amazing- Saugatuck, Pere Marquette, Sleeping Bear NL, the Luddington/Pentwater area. I spent a lot of time at Grand Haven SP growing up, but that's pretty urban these days.

If you've got a triathlon wetsuit, Pictured Rocks NL on Lake Superior is spectacular, but the water never seems to get much above 55F.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/mqt/webpics/shorepics/Big/Grand%20Portal%20Point.JPG


As for Florida oceans, for the most part, the worst critters you have to worry about are the jellyfish and the idiots on waverunners. I've done a lot of swimming along the coast, and I've seen plenty of dolphins, but nary a shark. Just be sensible, wear a cap that makes you more visible, and pay attention to the beach flag dangerous current warning system, and to what the local surfers tell you. (They're the ones who know when and where any sharks are hanging out)