Newbies Open Water Fun!

[sarazim]

Hey newbies, wanna get in the open water and splash around a bit before tri season is in full swing? Sure you do! Come to a newbies open water swim at Columbia Beach in Bay Village on Tuesday June 6th and June 13th! This is a great time to practice before some of the fun tris that pop up in June. We can practice sighting techniques as well as how to turn around that pesky buoy (and not run into it with your head, like I did in my first tri.) ;D Mark the date and we will meet at the bottom of the stairs at 6:30pm. For questions or directions, just email me through the newbies address at [e-mail] All levels are welcome! See you then!

[sarajean]

How long do you guestimate you'll be swimming? (I'd need to find a babysitter...)

[sarazim]

Hi sarajean--look forward to meeting you! I'd say about an hour? You can come and go whenever you need to--it's very laid-back! We'd probably chat a bit and practice some sighting and stuff. I should have mentioned that before--oops. Hope to see ya then!

[sidmcmahon]

Sarah
Do you have any idea of the water temperature? Can you swim in Lake Erie this time of year without a wetsuit? I look forward to joining these swims and hopefully now swallowing too much Lake Erie water.

Thanks
Sid

[Brooks Modie]

This time of year Lake Erie is only around 50+ degrees. A wetsuit is mandatory for all but polar bears. You can try without a wetsuit but probably won't last very long!! It hasn't rained too much so bacteria levels are pretty low right now.

Brooks

[JenCollister]

By the time Sara's sessions happen, the lake should be warm enough. I'd check the news to make sure it is a temperature that is tolerable for you though.

[sarazim]

Yes, hopefully the weather will cooperate for us. Check the forum for updates though--you never know in Ohio! If it rains the day before we will postpone, as bacteria levels will be high. We'll keep you posted!

[sarajean]

It looks like I have a babysitter, so I'm planning on coming! Will you be including directions to Columbia Beach in a future post?

Since I'm a newbie, I've got to ask two newbie questions:

• Other than a wetsuit (which I don't have), is there any equipment open-water swimmers use that pool swimmers don't?
  
• My biggest fear associated with open-water swimming is stepping on a dead fish (or a sharp rock). Is the beach relatively clean, or is there some sort of footwear I should bring?
  

[JenCollister]

Directions to Columbia:

Take 90 West to Columbia Road exit.
Go north on Columbia Road (right off the exit).
Park at the parking lot on the left right before Columbia ends at Lake Road.
The access to the beach is right across the street down some steps.

No, there is no other equipment besides a wetsuit (which you don't need to use). I'd wear sandals or shoes down the steps. There are shells on the beach, but it is manageable with bare feet. Mostly, it is the slime, not sharp that you'll deal with when near shore in the water. You can wear aqua socks, but they might slow you down/feel weird.

Good luck and et me know how it goes!

[MarkD]

To check the water temp in the Cleveland shores of Lake Erie, I go to:

www.weather.com
Click on "maps" in links across the top of the web page.
Click on "boat and beach" about 1/3 of the way down the page.
Click on "Northeast Coastal Water Temps" below the map on the page (you have to scroll to find it)

The Cleveland water temp is listed on the map.

[sarazim]

Well, the weather has been unpredictable lately, but the forecast for Monday and Tuesday looks good--no rain, sunny, and in the upper 70s both days! Check here before you head to the swim on Tuesday just in case--I saw the waves today and it looked DANGEROUS--safety is our first priority! Hopefully everything will be a go for this Tuesday--bring your wetsuits and hope to see you then.

[sarajean]

I don't have a wetsuit. Should I still come?

[sarazim]

Hi all--we're definitely on for today! Hope to see lots of you there.

Sarajean--not sure what the water temp is today but it's been hovering around 60ish...that's pretty chilly without a wetsuit, but some say it's not too bad in the water....I haven't been in yet so I'd hate to tell you yes or no! Does anyone have an extra wetsuit to bring for Sarajean? If all else fails, you can borrow mine and I can trade water time with you or I can try and brave the water--I have a pretty high threshold for cold

Any suggestions from those who've already been in the lovely lake would be appreciated!

[robreddy]

I've been in twics (last Sat & Sun) - the waer is still cool - I typically do not swim with a wet suit all summer but will still wear a shorty tonight. If you tolerate cold well you will be OK - if the cold gets to you - well you will not.

A bigger factor is your comfort level in the lake - a wet suit is basically a full body flotation device - it is a safety net as we will not have dedicated life guards or safetly folks for the swims. People stay somewhat together, but this training is not like a ride or run where you have constant contact.

I just checked the weather for 6 p.m. - winds will be light but coming from the North/NorthWest - my guess is we will have some waves - not huge but also not a perfectly flat lake unless we get almost no wind at all or the winds switch to the south (that won't happen).

I think the wet suit issue for today comes down to your ability and comfort level in swimming -

[sarajean]

I think I'll try swimming without the wetsuit and see what happens.

Worst case scenario, I'll get cold, go home, and come back next week.

[kenb]

I want to come next week. how was the water?

[sarajean]

It was very cold. I intended to try swimming without a wetsuit, but by the time I got far enough out for the water to touch my shins, I realized that would not be a good idea.

Sara said that the water might be warmer next week, so I'll try again then.

[kenb]

Is the swim on for today? I think the wind is still from the N?

[robreddy]

Yes - we will swim every Tuesday unless the weather is REALLY bad

see ya then - 6:30 p.m.