Open Water Swimming

[The AD]

I've got an open water swim coming up in Chicago this weekend and the weather forecast is looking interesting.
First of all there's a beach hazard statement in effect:

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM CDT FRIDAY THROUGH
SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

INCREASING NORTH WINDS AND BUILDING WAVES WILL PRODUCE HAZARDOUS
SWIMMING CONDITIONS AT LAKE MICHIGAN BEACHES FROM EARLY FRIDAY
THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

LIFE THREATENING WAVES AND CURRENTS ARE EXPECTED AT THE BEACHES.
PEOPLE VISITING THE BEACHES SHOULD STAY OUT OF THE WATER.

RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY
FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN
SANDBARS. STRUCTURAL CURRENTS FORM ALONG PIERS WHERE LONGSHORE
CURRENTS AND WAVE ACTION FLOW INTO THE STRUCTURE. RIP CURRENTS
AND STRUCTURAL CURRENTS CAN SWEEP YOU INTO DEEPER WATER.

And then there's this in the weather forecast discussion:
HAVE SOME CONCERN DUE TO NORTHERLY
FLOW FOR A SMALL CHANCE OF A WATERSPOUT MAKING LANDFALL

Well, heck, there's no swarm of locusts expected, so everything should be fine!

[Harry]

You need to read this. Lake Michigan is infested with these super nasty Sea Lampreys.

SWIMMERS ARE BEING ATTACKED BY GIGANTIC SEA LAMPREYS !!!!

I wouldn't go if I were you.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1...ion-lake-huron

[Tye 1on]

no lightning or earthquakes predicted, go for it- what could possibly go wrong?

[hutash]

Sounds like a typical day at a soCal beach. Sharks instead of lampreys, so go for it. Rip currents are only an issues near shore, so shouldn't affect an open water swim.

diclaimer, I have never swam in a great laje, but spent a shit load of time in open oceans.

[The AD]

I'll be out there swimming. Not sure if the race will go, but I'll be out there dammit!

The main issue is lifeguards. If they can't get the guards out on the course in boats they will cancel the race. Lifeguards on Lake Michigan probably aren't used to ocean-like conditions.

[::: :::]

Good luck man and make sure to start off your warmup by peeing in your wetsuit

[4matic]

I bought a waterproof iPod shuffle this week to swim laps at the college. I might have to share a lane...maybe with a coed. Good luck Kirk. See you next summer.

[Shredhead]

I'll be out there swimming. Not sure if the race will go, but I'll be out there dammit!

The main issue is lifeguards. If they can't get the guards out on the course in boats they will cancel the race. Lifeguards on Lake Michigan probably aren't used to ocean-like conditions.

Yeah your fucked. When N wind blows down the whole fetch, it gets really choppy.

Plus we usually go down and ski the Chicago River this time of year.
But something is wrong with the Deep Tunnel project and there are turds floating in it right now.
When it rains heavily, like it is right now, that shit flows out to the lake.

Sorry

[bagtagley]

I might have to share a lane...maybe with a coed.

Every time I look up to take a peek, I get a nose full of water. Suggestions?

[Cono Este]

My Sis will be there. Depends on the winds, water temp should be fine.

[huckbucket]

Is no one listening to Shredhead? There's shit in the water. That's pretty much a show stopper ...

[iceman]

I thought he was just talking about the river, no?

(River flows out of Lake Michigan, not into it, although it used to be the other way around)

[Shredhead]

My bad, yes they reversed the river a 100 years ago. Water quality in the lake still goes down during heavy rain, but there shouldn't be turds in it.

[jmerrey]

I just googled "sea lampreys". FUCK THAT.

[Bromontana]

My bad, yes they reversed the river a 100 years ago. Water quality in the lake still goes down during heavy rain, but there shouldn't be turds in it.

Sounds like a go then, lol

[Harry]

I googled "Sea Lamprey Chicago Swimming" and got this:



The AD should be fine.

[The AD]

I've swum this race many times and I don't think I've ever seen a fish during the swim. I don't expect to see any lampreys--or chicks like that ^ either! Yeah, hopefully no turds.

Good luck man and make sure to start off your warmup by peeing in your wetsuit

Thanks, but come on, I'm a purest. I don't wear no stinkin' wetsuit!

[stfu&gbtw]

Is no one listening to Shredhead? There's shit in the water. That's pretty much a show stopper ...

Unless it's the Olympics. Then shit in the water is no biggie..

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d92f6...e-sewage-virus

[Millsie]

The lake will be cold. Bring a wetsuit. Don't underestimate the life guards. lake Michigan can be worse than swimming in the ocean. It is going to be nasty out there with the North wind.

[The AD]

No wetsuit. I don't own one and probably too late to rent one. Also this is the masters national championship for 5K. Wetsuits are allowed, but not if you're entering the championship.

Here's a photo I took at last year's event. Weather looks nice, but it was very cold in the water last year, too.

[Tippster]

You need to read this. Lake Michigan is infested with these super nasty Sea Lampreys.

SWIMMERS ARE BEING ATTACKED BY GIGANTIC SEA LAMPREYS !!!!

I wouldn't go if I were you.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1...ion-lake-huron

That article is nearly 30 years old? Wonder what the situation is now...

Don't underestimate the life guards. lake Michigan can be worse than swimming in the ocean. It is going to be nasty out there with the North wind.

Yeah, Michigan has had big waves for a long time.

[hutash]

Does this go through your head when swimming the Great Lakes?

[narc]

Unless it's the Olympics. Then shit in the water is no biggie..

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d92f6...e-sewage-virus

Best part is that the junior rowing world champs was there this summer, maybe they needed the kids to test it first. The adult worlds were in France had "WWF and FISA: Partners for Clean Water" ads everywhere.

[seano732]

What's the water temp supposed to be?? When I did the Escape from Alcatraz this past June, the temp was announced at 57*, and it was fucking freezing... That being said, I still saw about a dozen guys on the boat with nothing but goggles and grape-smugglers..... Good luck, let us know how you do!

[Dantheman]

Good luck AD! I have HUGE respect for long distance open water swimming. That shit is not for me.