Howdy. I live in the N.Burbs and train into the loop. I’d like to swim in the lake, either early a.m. or after work. Downtown, I’ve seen people swimming along the path from Ohio beach. Is it safe to leave stuff by the lifeguards? Do people swim there anytime?
How about the northshore? Is there any open water swimming there?
Thanks!
People swim there all day long. Finding a place to put your stuff is another thing. I try to bring as little as possible. People are always getting stuff stolen. Last year by the bike racks me and anohter guy just finished swimming and were getting our stuff togehter and 20 feet away we saw a guy just going through someones bag. We stopped him and he left but it happens all the time.
People generally tend to leave their stuff along the railing by by the bike path. I don’t think the lifeguards will watch your stuff. I swim at ohio street all the time and have never had anything stolen (knock on wood). But, I know many others who haven’t been so lucky. Just don’t bring anything too valuable.
I just swam in Evanson this morning. I don’t like open water swimming in the morning, it is generally cold and miserable. However, this mornings swim was one of the best, most calming experiences I had in a while. Loved it. Did little less than two miles.
Did you just hop into the water, or did you swim from a beach?
hopped in at the beach. lee st beach just stayed 200 yards from shore, within the markers. it was me and a friend. swam 25 minutes toward NU and back then went for a 45 min run.
You’ll probably find some folks swimming from Lake Bluff beach down toward Lake Forest beach. It’s about a mile one-way. Better to park in Lake Bluff than LF, since you can park pretty close to the beach. Only catch is that they’ll try to stick you for $5 (I think that’s the going rate for non-residents) when the guards are on duty. Go in the early a.m. (before 8, I think) or after 5 and you’re good to go.
I no longer live in Chicago, but did for 14 years and did lots of lake swimming. I lived in Lincoln park so I would jog down there, carry my goggles tucked in the waist of my shorts and just leave my shoes by the railing that the others mentioned. Carried my apartment key tied to my drawstring. I rarely trained with a wetsuit unless water was under 60. If I did want to bring my wetsuit, I rode a crappy old mountain bike, and used a backpack with a luggage lock on the zippers and ran the bike lock through the handles.
If you drive there, leave everything in your car that you don’t need for the swim except some cheap flip-flops to walk to the beach with and shorts/T-shirt that you can afford to get stolen.
Perfect advice. I have a scooter I take down there sometimes and lock everything that isnt absolutely mandatory to the swim under the seat.
Only things I usually take with me are goggles, sandals, and an old shirt and something to swim in.
Thanks for your responses!
I do the same thing except put some cash in w/ my house key, wet money still spends. I skip the lock as it invites someone to think that there is something worth locking up. I haven’t had anything stolen, but it shocks me what people will leave down there while swimming thinking the “collective” mass will safe guard some rather expensive stuff.
What’s the water temp like these days? I am a very big baby: I am a runner that has no problem running in -10 (F) with icy sleet in my face, but I dip my pinky-toe in 69 degree water and turn blue! I’ll probably be out there tommorrow afternoon, what are crowds like at that time?
Alan
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/swim_report.home.cfm
60 yesterday. If Tom Skilling is correct and we stay in the upper 80’s lower 90’s for the week w/ no rain it should be in the low 70’s soon in the shallow water.
I’m also a bit of a baby when it comes to cold water. It’s that long walk into the part over my waist that I hate.
I agree with all the comments on Ohio Street Beach. Great place to train. We run there at lunch time from the Sears Tower area and only risk having our shoes, socks and shirts stolen. If there is a “friendly” looking lady on the beach, we ask her if we can put our stuff near her for safekeeping. So far so good and we have never had a problem being hit on by any of these ladies. Maybe if we wore our speedos…
You guys run from the w. loop to Ohio beach, swim, then run back during lunch? That’s sound’s really great. Do you change/shower at one of the clubs? Isn’t it chilly w/o wetsuit?
We run from the Fitness Formula Club in Union Station. Yes, it is always chilly without our wetsuits. I too am a sissy when it comes to cold water but my friend just wades right in so that forces me to take the cold plunge. Sometimes we take the free trolley and bring our wetsuits.
I often swim at Ohio street right before or after work. Last year after a friend’s stuff was stolen I bought one of these steel mesh net gizmos made by pacsafe that a lot of backpackers use in hostels. You can completely cover your bag and then run your u-lock through it. Works like a charm, light to carry, and makes the logistics of getting a quick swim in much easier.
To anyone who swims there,
Do have any photos of this swim area that can be uploaded onto this forum?
I don’t have any pics but the water is no more than 6-7 feet deep and you can safely swim 25 to 30 yards from shore the whole way (closer if you don’t mind the scum) and there are ladders every 50 yards or so.
There are lockers in the stranded boat/bar half a mile up on North Avenue Beach. They also rent bikes by the way.