OWS at Hopkinton State Park

I found it helpful the second time I did it to bring warm socks and a jacket for the bike (I actually wore snowboarding socks - I like cold swims, but my feet take a while to thaw) to ditch in transition on the run. 

Wetsuit is highly recommended for this. I went with booties which were very helpful, but didn't bother with the neoprene cap since i hate those chin straps.

I've done it every year since 2009. 

If you have a neoprene cap, then definitely wear it because the water will be chilly.

On the bike it depends on the wind, but almost certainly some sort of light jacket will be useful to have.

By the time you get to the run, a jacket should not be necessary.

I agree about the cap.  Lat year the temps in the lake were in the mid to high 50's.  I think I wore a sweatshirt on my ride and took it off before the run.  It's the water that will get you? 

Any body wanna break the ice next weekend?  (I've got to go camping with my boys this Friday)

Hey Mina - Love your screen name.  I'm in a forum called the Beer Drinkers Appreciation Society... You should try to join when the spring session opens up.  Hell - you could join now if you wanted to.  We could use some new blood.

I just ordered a neoprene cap, silicone cap (sandwich), neoprene gloves and socks last night (and earplugs - i heard they help in cold water, but have never swum with them), so I'm gearing up for some chilly OWS time!

Mostly was thinking Walden, as it's so close for me, but might also be interested in Hopkinton (depends on kids' schedules, mostly) after the James Joyce this weekend.

Matt

I don't have any of this stuff besides a wetsuit. I'm assuming Fast splits in Newton sells this stuff? Besides my wetsuit, what do I absolutely need? Never swam outside in water this cold. Used to cold swimming pools but I guess this is going to be worse?

You'll be fine with only the wetsuit. The cap is nice to have, but not essential - most people don't have caps.

I haven't swum in these ponds, so don't know what the temp will actually be, but I routinely swim in the ocean from fairly early in the season (high 50's).  Just a wetsuit will do, as I've never used a "squid-lid" (neoprene cap) or even owned one (even when windsurfing in a dry suit in winter-ish temps in years past).

I got those only because they're short $ and I just don't know what a LSD OWS will be like in the cold, but it can't be THAT different, I'd think.  

USAT has a code for 20% discount at a lot of places, too, if you're a member...

Two weeks ago (4/10), Walden was 48° and Upper Mystic was 50°F. These, like the Hop, are shallow and warm up quickly, but I still imagine that means mid-50s at best now. Getting in after an afternoon of sun could help.

I heard some Knuckleheads met up at Walden last Sat in the AM. Curious to hear their report.

Only two of us so far, but if anyone else is up for a 1pm dip in Walden tomorrow, the more the merrier!

http://www.meetup.com/The-TriSwimBuddies-Guppies-Meetup-Group/events/116131392/?a=co1.1_grp&rv=co1.1

There will also be a few folks out at 10am, too, but I'm not free until later and hoping a few more hours of sun will be helpful.

Thanks for the link!  I won't make tomorrow, as I have a 10k on Sunday (repeating to self: I WILL taper, I WILL taper, I WILL taper)...

Definitely will join through the season, though.

Thanks again!
Matt