Open Water Swim League?

[BriEOD]

I'm just curious if anyone else participates in anything such as this?

We are very lucky and live near Annapolis, MD on the Severn River. We have a Severn River Swim League in which we have six different neighborhoods and perhaps 100 participants. All of the meets are held in the river. Therefore, if you are swimming the 50M freestyle you may have boat wakes rolling over you in the lanes. Each of the different neighborhoods has their own river swim area with lanes, starting blocks, etc. We have a centrally-managed digital timer with push button stoppers. This league has been going on for years and we have participants in many different categories. We separate by sex and begin at under 6 and than in increments of 2 years (under 8, under 10, etc) all the way until under 18. After that, we have an unlimited category (any aged adult). It is really a lot of fun and rather than being on a team, your team is your neighborhood. It is much different than swimming in a clear and calm swimming pool.

Here is a shot from yesterday. My son, Cody, is in the orange cap getting ready to do the under 8, 50M freestyle.

[BriEOD]

You can see the starting lanes block and lanes in this shot. This is yesterday at Epping Forest.

[BriEOD]

Here is our own setup. A few of the swim lanes aren't in. We have four lanes normally. Yes, also we sort of cheat in our neighborhood. What you see is our 1 million gallon artesian well-fed spring water pond adjacent to the Severn River. We get these bloody sea nettles (jelly fish) towards the later half of the summer. Therefore, when the meet is in our hood we do it in the pond vice the river. The Severn is brackish and we are up at the head of the river so it is much more fresh than salt.

[BriEOD]

Here is Cody last year at one of our home meets.

Anyway, I'm just curious if anyone else participates in a swimming league not in a concrete pool?

[HRC]

That's a cool idea. While I've never been in a league, I used to compete in triathlons and have swam in open waters.
Nice pictures too.

[d2jp]

Can't speak from personal experience, but have been involved in/around competitive swimming for years. Open water swimming is becoming a bigger part of the local USA Swimming sanctioned age group teams. More meets available, more coaches interested in it. Great to see active kids, and a nice set-up you have there!

[BriEOD]

Thanks for the comments guys. We enjoy it and yes, we are very lucky to have some fantastic amentities for our kids.

[east tx skier]

Brian, I can't believe how big Cody has gotten.

[BriEOD]

Doug, it seems like he was born yesterday. He will be 8 in September and is heading into the second grade. I'm sure I'll soon be typing you a note that he is shaving and getting his driver's liscense. Where does the time go?

That said, he is happy and healthy. He is really enjoying where we live and all of the activities such as the swim and dive league. He, and his neighborhood pals, have no idea how lucky and fortunate they are.

I hope all is well with you, Amy, Cameron, and ... (I'm drawing a blank on your youngest's name -- mea culpa).

B

[east tx skier]

We're all great. Cameron and Andrew are growing like weeds. So different, but definitely brothers. Getting the new lake house into shape and will be spending more time down there soon. Cameron can't wait. Andrew loves the boat, but could care less about riding behind it ... for now.