Each year, those of us in those cold weather areas may dread when the open water swim opportunities open back up. We wonder how cold will the water be considering all the crazy snow and low temps over the past few years. We may go on-line to check out the weather report at our local beach or pool. For example, those in the western suburbs of Chicago might visit the website of Centennial Beach to learn that the water is 80 degrees (most likely this is from the 2018 summer because there was snow less than two weeks ago). Then we may wonder if we are ready to train in the open water after using indoor pools throughout the very long winter. And, are we ready to train in the possible super cold waters? For some, they will use wetsuits to try to stay warm and yet others participate in a Polar Plunge depending on where they live and how much cold they can handle.
In many areas, various fitness stores, triathlon teams, etc. will hold Open Water Swim Clinics in the summer to help athletes prepare for the current triathlon season. Some clinics are free and others have a small fee associated with the clinic. Often they are taught by triathlete coaches. I have participated in these the past two years and it has been helpful for me to get acclimated to swimming with many people at the same time in some cold water. Some workshops to be aware of are:
5/31/18, Naperville, IL, Centennial Beach, 6-7 pm, $3 entry fee if not a member
6/3/18, 6/10/18, and 6/25/18, New York, NY, Coney Island Beach by the NY Aquarium, 8-10 am, $50
6/22/18, Chicago, IL, Ohio Street Beach, 6 am, free
6/26/18, Chicago, IL, Ohio Street Beach, Start time range 4:30-6:30 pm, $10 mandatory donation, pre-registration required
7/24/18, Chicago, IL, Ohio Street Beach, Start time range 4:30-6:30 pm, $10 mandatory donation, pre-registration required
8/21/18, Chicago, IL, Ohio Street Beach, Start time range 4:30-6:30 pm, $10 mandatory donation, pre-registration required
As more are announced, I will add to this list. Do you have one that I should add? Send it my way! I hope to see and meet you at the open water swim clinics in Illinois. Take a chance and take the plunge. You will be glad on race day that you did. Take a friend, enjoy your swim, and remember to hydrate and take in some nutrition. #stingorbeestung #hshive #theoriginalenergywaffle #nuunambassador #nuunhydration
References:
Bernhardt, G. (2018, February). “Should you wear a tri suit or a wetsuit?” Retrieved from https://www.active.com/triathlon/articles/should-you-wear-a-tri-suit-or-a-wetsuit.