Fresh Water Access-Where to Swim?

Cant swim in Hopkinton resivoir after Memorial Day when the life guards are on duty unless you stay inside the bouys. You can swim when there are NO lifeguards. I dont really understand the rationale. Hopkinton is run by DCR the same state agency that runs Walden...just diferent rules.

I agree with STaylor...Webster  Lake is a great place to swim. I like it alot on weekdays as there is minimal boat traffic. Weekends are tougher as there are alot of boats. The lifeguards are great to triathletes

There is a small lake in Uxbridge called Pout Pond. It only 1/4 mile across but very clean. Its nice at the start/end of the season because its small and warms fast. No one hassles you there. Come July the water gets pretty warm and its not good for training.

The lake where the Cranberry tri is held is small and a great place to swim. I did alot of training there with Kathy G last year. Clean and beautiful.

I'm new here too...but here's my input for OWS.  Browns Pond in South Peabody. Good beach to enter from, good parking. Posted "no lifeguard on duty". I have never had a problem there even when I bring my dog.

I am hoping to have my wife kayak alongside while I try to get my swimming under control.

Not sure on the temp!

Mystic Lake in Winchester/Arlington

Has anyone here swam in Massapog Pond before?  That is a little closer to my area than any of the suggestions, but was hoping to get input before I headed out there.

I have gone there at night but no place "approved" by the local authorities. Where is the beach?

Sandy Beach.  The small beach area isn't always the nicest in the summer after a little traffic (although, I haven't been there in years, so I really don't know now), but the water's great, there's parking and also picnic tables and a couple public grills available which is nice after a dip.



Edited by running4beer 2009-04-14 1:01 PM

I've gotten crap from lifeguards at the local little pond that in my town about swimming outside the bouys. They told me it was illegal to swim outside the bouy is illegal and I could get arrested. I understand their concern as a couple of folks have drowned over past few years. I called the police's nonemergency number and asked what was the law about swimming in the ponds in our town. I was put on hold for awhile but there are no such laws and I was told I could swim where ever I wanted but to be smart.

If in doubt call the police to see if there are rules or laws about swimming where you want to. I think some places try to intimidate you to keep you out when you really can swim.

I don't have the whiz bang map, but yes, Sandy Beach is where we start from! There is a group from my Masters who swim there regularly on Friday mornings (early - we meet at 5:30am) once it warms up. We've NEVER been bothered by anyone at that time.

Has anyone tried Lake Winthrop in Holliston? It's less than 2 miles from me, have been considering it... thanks.

I'm on the south shore (Quincy) and was wondering if anyone swam at Houghton's Pond in the Blue Hills. Also, any other places in the Quincy area for OWS?

I'm training for my first tri and still trying to figure out good places for OWS.

Thanks!

FlyTheBlueSky,
Yes I have swam Lake Withrop. I think, Stoddard Park is on Winthrop, right? If so I have definitely swam there. It's pretty shallow and last year it was very weedy. But, it's warm.

Does anybody have any feedback on  Lake Massapoag in Sharon???  I would like to do so open water swims there this summer...  I know that the Sharon Tri is taking place there as well.

Walden distances in attached file FYI

Hopkinton (was out there today) it's about 1/2 mile from the beach across and back (paralell to the dam).

Swimming in Walden this friday after work if anyone is around.

Distances at Walden, FYI
http://www.breakwatersportstraining.com/images/WaldenYardsAndRoutes.pdf

Hopkinton is about .5 miles from beach across and back (paralell to dam)
Was out there today, water is nice in wetsuit, not face-numbing cold anymore!

Swimming at Walden after work on Firday if anyone is around

Come on man, spell out the real name!

Haha!  I went to "Webster" last weekend for the first time.  As I was driving in, I tried to take a picture of the sign on the overpass with my cell phone... I couldn't fit the whole name in the shot!!! 

Ashland Reservoir (site of the Ashland Lions triathlon).  If you start at the boat ramp at the south end there's nobody there to bother you, and one lap of the reservoir is just over 2 miles.

I swim there weekdays early or late always works and sometime they are okay during the day but not always. The Sharon folks are not kind if you want to swim and are not a Sharon resident and are militant about it weekends, holiday and during the day.

There is a group that meets one morning a week to swim there. I did it a couple years ago and don't recall the day or time. It is a nice lake to swim in as it is deep enough so weeds/algae aren't an issue.

I park at HS or by the Tennis courts and walk down by the boat ramp area.

hey how about...Lake Massapoag in Sharon

^^^ Is Lake Massapoag in Sharon....

Are there any ponds or lakes around, warm enough to swim in without a wetsuit yet? what is a typical temperature that is comfortable to swim in without a wetsuit? thanks!

-Rachel

I'd love to know if anyone's tried out Houghton's Pond.  I work in Milton, so it would be so much easier to stop by over there rather than always having to go up to Walden.

Hey, Rachel!

I've already swam in both Upper Mystic and Walden without a wetsuit this year.  In fact, I was in Walden today, and the water was great!  I have no idea what the temp is, very swimmable but cool.  Not pool temps -- Walden took a couple minutes to adjust to and then was fine, yet Mystic water temp was good to dive in immediately at 6:30 on a cool morning.

Was at Webster last weekend, but was glad to have a wetsuit-- sure it's warmed up a bit, but my guess is that one still needs a couple more weekends of warm weather.

Hope that helps!

--Mina