NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver

lilteichmonster

May 20, 15 8:19

Post #1 of 20 (21073 views)

Hi all,

My name is Matt and I'm 100% new to this forum and to the sport of Triathlon. I live in the Denver area and I'm trying to figure out my best options for getting some open water swimming under my belt before my first race (5/31 Colorado sprint in Boulder). Hoping to get it done this weekend. I've only been training in the pool for about a month but have been cycling for a few years. Figured I'd just get my first race out the way fast. I live right near Cherry Creek State Park so was hoping the CC Res was relatively clean? Does anyone swim there? I'm thinking it wouldn't be the best idea to swim alone so would potentially be looking to find some training buddies if anyone wants to put up with how slow i am right now.

I just noticed there's a tri club section on the site so i'm looking into RMTC right now as a potential option to find others to train with.

Appreciate any help, tips or advice!

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [lilteichmonster] [ In reply to ]

May 20, 15 8:29

Post #2 of 20 (21060 views)

Chatfield gravel pond has open water swimming with a fairly large group - It's currently closed due to high water. Just search google for Chatfield OWS . I think it's Mon and Wed evenings and Sat.

Search CROWS on Facebook for Colorado Open swim events

Stay out of CC when it rains - e coli i rampant

Search Boulder Aquatics open water - they have swims all the time

Aurora reservoir is not bad, they have a longer section with buoys maybe 150 yards but I haven't been out there in a long time

Mile high multisporst does their OWS at Grant Ranch. milehighmultisport.com/open-water-swimming/

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [summitt] [ In reply to ]

May 20, 15 8:32

Post #3 of 20 (21053 views)

I 100% recommend the Grant Ranch OWS.

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [lilteichmonster] [ In reply to ]

May 20, 15 8:37

Post #4 of 20 (21041 views)

My dad sees people in the Aurora Reservoir all the time when he's grilling on the porch.

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [lilteichmonster] [ In reply to ]

May 20, 15 8:38

Post #5 of 20 (21040 views)

Ahh, fresh blood!

We shall indoctrinate you into the Slowtwitch way

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [lilteichmonster] [ In reply to ]

May 20, 15 9:49

Post #6 of 20 (21000 views)

Aurora rez has two sites. One at the swim beach, it's about a 100 yards long and the scuba beach has a .25 mile triangle.

--------------------------
The secret of a long life is you try not to shorten it.
-Nobody

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [Liaman] [ In reply to ]

May 20, 15 9:55

Post #7 of 20 (20986 views)

SlowTwitch Way Lesson 1: Always tell people that their saddle is too high.

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [lilteichmonster] [ In reply to ]

May 20, 15 14:55

Post #8 of 20 (20889 views)

You can get a one day pass for Grant Ranch for $12. I am also doing CO Sprint and will be at Grant Ranch Sat morn from 7-9:30. I'm no expert but would not mind giving you some tips for open water swim and race day.

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [lilteichmonster] [ In reply to ]

May 20, 15 15:15

Post #9 of 20 (20877 views)

If you just want to get the feel for open water before 5/31, then your best bet is probably buying a one day drop in at Grant Ranch and go this Saturday. I say go on Saturday because they are doing an open water race there on Sunday and so it'll be crowded for that.
Info on Grant Ranch open water swimming -> http://milehighmultisport.com/open-water-swimming/
Race on Sunday -> http://milehighmultisport.com/...-race-1-may-24-2015/

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [mck414] [ In reply to ]

May 20, 15 17:51

Post #10 of 20 (20832 views)

mck414 wrote:

Aurora rez has two sites. One at the swim beach, it's about a 100 yards long and the scuba beach has a .25 mile triangle.

Forgot to add Aurora rez has a $10 day fee

--------------------------
The secret of a long life is you try not to shorten it.
-Nobody

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [dratom] [ In reply to ]

lilteichmonster

May 21, 15 12:27

Post #11 of 20 (20728 views)

i like the idea of dropping in at grant ranch on saturday. what would water temps be like? i'm planning on renting my wetsuit from colorado tri company, so i wouldn't have anything for this saturday

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [lilteichmonster] [ In reply to ]

patsullivan6630

May 21, 15 12:33

Post #12 of 20 (20719 views)

It has been unusually cold this spring. Cold (40s) and rainy. So pretty dang cold.

Re: NOOB ALERT: open water swimming in Denver [lilteichmonster] [ In reply to ]

May 21, 15 13:21

Post #13 of 20 (20688 views)

BAM opens next Tuesday and Thursday AM's. http://bamswimteam.org/...getitle=Open%20Water

Windsor has a lake swim on Monday's I believe.

And then as stated above, Chatfield and Aurora!

Carson Christen
Sport Scientist / Coach
Torden Multisport

open water swimming in Denver [chrica04] [ In reply to ]

Aug 24, 16 12:13

Post #14 of 20 (18241 views)

Anyone know about open water swim options in Denver or Boulder as of now, aug 24?
Boulder Rez is closed for OWS for 2016.
Other options ?

Re: open water swimming in Denver [EmpireTriGuy] [ In reply to ]

Aug 24, 16 12:30

Post #15 of 20 (18220 views)

Grant Ranch is open for a few more weeks:
http://swimlabs.com/denver/open-water-swimming-at-grant-ranch/

Re: open water swimming in Denver [EmpireTriGuy] [ In reply to ]

Aug 24, 16 12:57

Post #16 of 20 (18192 views)

Aurora rez is still open. Water level has gotten low enough to cut a bit of the distance swim area.

--------------------------
The secret of a long life is you try not to shorten it.
-Nobody

Re: open water swimming in Denver [dratom] [ In reply to ]

Aug 24, 16 13:20

Post #17 of 20 (18176 views)

Many thanks for the input ..... Looks like I am all set with Swim labs. Pretty challenging in Denver this time of year to find pool or OWS time; just relocated here from East coast.

Re: open water swimming in Denver [EmpireTriGuy] [ In reply to ]

Aug 24, 16 21:42

Post #18 of 20 (18081 views)

There's a 1.2 or 2.4 mile OWS race at the Boulder Res this Sat that's being put on by the Without Limits crew.

Lots of options for masters in Denver. What part of town are you in?

Re: open water swimming in Denver [jenschaf] [ In reply to ]

Aug 25, 16 6:52

Post #19 of 20 (18010 views)

Moved to Lohi in June.
Am swimming at DAC and DU but both pools are down for cleaning now.
Going to check out Grant Park.

Re: open water swimming in Denver [EmpireTriGuy] [ In reply to ]

Aug 25, 16 9:23

Post #20 of 20 (17967 views)

Swimming at Chatfield state park runs through the end of Sept., every MWS in the gravel pond. "Pond" is misleading, it's a decent size and a good swim. Though they've had to cancel a few swims as of late due to lack of volunteers to fulfill the crazy monitor requirements for insurance purposes.

http://www.comsa.org/openwater.html

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